Charter NEX Films Inc. is expanding capacity at two Wisconsin plants and is signaling plans for even more growth in the near future.
The Milton, Wis.-based blown film maker has added a three-layer Windmoeller & Hoelscher line in Milton, Wis., and a seven-layer Brampton barrier film line in Rhinelander, Wis.
“These new additions are part of our strategy to continually invest in the latest technology to support our customers' growing demands for performance and quality,” CEO Kathy Bolhous said in a statement. “This guarantees that we remain our customers' most reliable film partner as we meet their needs today and into the future.”
It was just last year that Charter NEX underwent a 20,000-square-foot, $1.5 million expansion at its Milton site to prepare for possible additional capacity in the future. Now comes word that the Milton site is, indeed, expanding.
Along with the current expansion plans, the company expects to increase production in Milton next year as well, said Brian Beuning, senior vice president of sales and marketing.
“There's several new lines that will be installed in Milton in 2016. There are three planned new lines for Milton in 2016. And those should be installed in the first half of 2016,” he said.
Charter NEX Films makes coextruded, barrier and monolayer blown films. Markets include food, pharmaceutical, medical and packaging industries.
Along with sites in Milton and Rhinelander, the company also has manufacturing locations in Superior, Wis., and Turners Falls, Mass.
“We want to stay as a very viable option when it comes to producing high-quality film in our marketplace,” said Erin Makela, marketing communications specialist with Charter NEX. “One of the ways we can do that is by installing the most up-to-date and state-of-the-art equipment that's available.”
Charter NEX is not eyeing any one particular end market with its expansion plans.
“Most of our lines serve many, many different markets,” Makela said. “Areas that we see expansion and growth are all over the board, quite honestly. Most of our market areas are growing — a very good thing.”
The company's current strategic plan is to grow within existing facilities, she said, while adding the company's leadership always keeps its eye on whether to continue that approach or build new sites in the future.
The company's growth plans come just several months after ownership of the company changed from one private equity firm to another.
Pamplona Capital Management LLP acquired Charter NEX from Mason Wells in a deal announced in December.
At that time, Bolhous said greater availability of capital will allow the company to grow through significant investments in capacity additions.
Charter NEX was created in 2012 through the combination of NEX Performance Films Inc. and Charter Films Inc.
