History

For over 40 years, Advance Packaging has been providing packaging solutions for customers with diverse products and needs. Founded in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1966, we grew to become a leading regional packaging provider. In 1973, we opened our Jackson, Michigan, facility to expand our corrugated capacity and add returnable packaging lines. As we’ve prospered, we’ve invested and reinvested in infrastructure, technology, and talent to enhance capabilities, products, product quality, and services.
 

1966 Advance Packaging Corporation founded in Grand Rapids, Michigan, by Dick Strauss and Franklin Gregory.
1973 Central Michigan Container Corporation founded in Jackson, Michigan, by Strauss and Gregory. Later becomes Advance Packaging Corporation, Jackson.
1977 Advance Packaging purchases new Langston Corrugator for board production.
1979 First state-of-the-art flexo-folder gluer is purchased.
1984 Custom-designed jumbo press is installed. One of the two largest in the world at the time.
1987 Employee productivity bonus plan implemented.
1987 Strauss and Gregory start ownership succession plan.
1990 Advance Packaging Corporation wins TAPPI Waste Reduction and Control Award.
1991 TAPPI Paper lab is installed.
1995 Grand Rapids plant earns ISO certification, the first box manufacturing plant in West Michigan to become certified.
1999 Remaining founder, Dick Strauss, retires. Succession plan complete with Carol Hoyt and Don Crossley as 50/50 owners of Advance Packaging Corporation.
2000 ISTA performance testing laboratory is built in Grand Rapids.
2000 Colonial and Greenville Packaging companies are purchased by Advance Packaging.
2003 Jackson plant installs computerized foam cutting and splitting equipment for returnable packaging manufacturing.
2005 Advance Packaging breaks ground on new 425,000 sq. ft. corrugated packaging manufacturing plant.
2006 Advance Packaging purchases new high-speed BHS corrugator for new plant.
2006 Advance Packaging purchases new Gopfert 7-color rotary die cutter adding high-end digital graphics direct print to corrugated capabilities
2006 Advance Packaging moves to new 425,000 sq. ft. corrugated packaging plant and launched 7-color high-end direct to corrugated retail and consumer packaging capabilities.
2007 Advance Packaging expands ISTA packaging testing services with online ordering of independent test lab services.
2007 Advance Packaging earns Sustainable Forestry Initiative accreditation, meeting Certified Sourcing requirements.