Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark O’Malley.
Paket was founded in 1957 as a contract packager not far from its current location at 9165 South Lake Shore Drive. It’s main products in the early days were tubes of lubricants for pumps and motors. In 1996, Mark bought Paket and started to develop flexible packaging alternatives for his customer’s products. In 2001, Paket purchased the 110,000 square foot facility of Nalco Chemical on what is now Lake Shore Drive and started adding form/fill/seal pouching machines for a host of health and beauty products. Today, Paket offers a full turnkey option for their customers. They can formulate and manufacture customer’s personal care or household products. They can then package them into pouches, tubes or bottles and finally provide the final touch of putting the item in a display carton, box or master shipper.
Has it been a smooth road?
Struggles have been numerous from day 1. Took 10 months to structure a deal agreeable to both the buyer and myself while at the same time finding the right bank and equity financing. Spent the first 5 years paying off the former owner and trying to add some equipment and build a balance sheet so I could buy the current facility in 2001 and spend the next 5 years paying down the mortgage and equipment notes. Had a good run from 2004 through 2013 with several customers growing their business with us. Major customer disruptions in 2014-mid 2016 with several being bought or having sales decline. Cut back and button down the hatches during that time and sought to find new customers and applications. Sales have rebounded 50% so far in 2017.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Paket Corporation – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
We are a contract packaging company, meaning everyone from small startup companies to major brands come to us to make their product and package it containers that have their artwork and message on it. In our blending tanks we can make shampoo, skin lotions, cleaning solutions and many other types of products. We can then fill those products into tubes, pouches, bottles, cans and many other types of containers. We specialize in filling personal care and household items into tubes and pouches. We do not do package food or any hazardous types of materials. We have over 30 different filling lines and can fill material as thick as molasses or as thin as water. We are probably best known for our ability to develop flexible packaging solutions.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Chicago has everything; restaurants, theater, sports, Lake Michigan, a great work force and do it attitude. It also has a horrible crime rate, a totally dysfunctional government that cares only about their own reelection and core supporters. Taxes and wage laws that will ultimately drive most business that can move out of the city and state.
Contact Info:
- Address: 9165 South Lake Shore Dr.
- Website: www.paketcorp.com
- Phone: 773-221-7300
- Email: info@paketcorp.com
Image Credit:
Paket Corporation
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