An Executive Outlook from Colbert Packaging
by Lon Johnson, Senior Vice President
As Colbert moves into its 66th year in the packaging industry, I cannot think of a time in the past that our company’s position and focus was more relevant. Colbert began a significant manufacturing expansion in 2024, with new equipment and additional square footage. This expansion reinforces our commitment to our target audience, the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry.
Our recurring theme at Colbert has been to mirror the healthcare industry and continually invest in technology that supports like synergy. Colbert has always been on the leading edge of 100% inline vision inspection. I like to call this evolution “crawl, walk, run.” In the early 2000’s, we invested in our first off-line comparator. This technology allowed us to review approved proofs versus printed sheets. With a general understanding of the technology and a couple years under our belts, we purchased a standalone 100% vision system to inspect finished product. This system proved effective after numerous software updates and mechanical adjustments. We learned that this new technology was far more efficient than human inspection practices.
Our expansion continued in the form of inline vision inspection during the gluing process. In 2016 Colbert made the decision to equip all newly purchased and future gluers with this technology. Having participated in many customer audits and business reviews, this investment into 100% vison inspection has paid off tenfold.
Fast forward to Q1 2024, when Colbert signed off on the purchase of a new 10-color multi-feature offset printing press. The new press will extend our product offerings and overall capabilities, as well as provide cost savings. By encapsulating and streamlining front and backside printing, along with cold foil application at high speed, Colbert has the ideal press for today’s OTC healthcare business.
With the new press purchased, it was time to look at our manufacturing flow. In May of 2024 Colbert’s corporate headquarters and manufacturing facility in Kenosha, WI, allocated an additional (previously leased) 40,000 square feet. This expansion now provides a full 175,000 square feet for manufacturing. In addition to added square footage, we were able to enhance our overall workflow.
As we wrap up Q1 2025, we are excited and optimistic. Colbert is well-positioned and aligned with our target audience. Claiming to ‘service’ the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry and actually demonstrating leadership in that space are two very different things. Since joining Colbert in 1998, I can honestly say our focus has never shifted, and our commitment has not wavered. Every move, every new piece of equipment, is determined by what we do best—
serving the healthcare and pharmaceutical market. New challenges will arise as will new equipment. One thing will not change: Colbert’s vison and commitment to our long-standing customers.
Colbert Packaging Corporation is a family-owned business with extensive R&D capabilities and a solid reputation for excellence. Founded in 1959, Colbert Packaging has grown its repertoire of paperboard packaging solutions into one of the most comprehensive, diverse and inventive portfolios in the industry. Colbert’s Kenosha, Wisconsin, facility produces offset and flexographic printed folding cartons, pressure-sensitive roll labels and package inserts; the Elkhart, Indiana, operation includes folding carton production and paper tray forming. Learn more at colbertpkg.com.