BJK Industries Inc. doing business as BJK Flexible Packaging has invested more than $4.5 million for equipment from Reifenhäuser GmbH & Co. KG Maschinenfabrik and Macro Engineering & Technology Inc.
In June, BJK began operating its second Reifenhäuser Evolution-brand five-layer blown film coextrusion system with an Ultra Flat film flattening unit. BJK of Louisville, Ky., placed the order for the equipment in March 2015.
In Germany, Reifenhäuser built the components in Worms and Troisdorf and assembled the machine in Worms.
BJK is responding to “the demand in the market for whole concept of five [layer] is the new three [layer] in PE,” Brian Krein. BJK owner, chairman and CEO, said in an interview. “We were on the front of the current trend because of our quality and flexibility for producing five-layer structures” to fulfill three-layer requirements.
Reifenhäuser's patented Ultra Flat film inline flattening unit is integrated in the film haul-off. “We have the only two machines in North America running the Ultra Flat technology,” said Jim Schandle, BJK president and chief operating officer.
The flexible packaging supplier began operating its first Reifenhäuser five-layer blown film line in November 2013.
In addition, BJK is installing a three-layer advanced extrusion system from Macro of Mississauga, Ontario. The Macro is scheduled to be operational in July.
BJK also operates four extruders from Brampton Engineering Inc.
Routinely, BJK improves its machine and processing technologies upgrading dies, extruders and systems to increase output and quality.
BJK produces and sells coextruded and monolayer film and sheet and bags. Also, BJK sells materials to converters, printers and laminators for retail packaging of seafood, poultry and produce, customized vertical form-fill uses and institutional packaging for fast food outlets and food services.
BJK forecasts 2016 sales of $58 million after recording $48.5 million last year.
BJK employs 80 and occupies a total of 80,000 square feet in Louisville. “We added 15,000 square feet of warehouse space over the last year,” Krein said. BJK has 11 other warehouse locations in the U.S. and Canada.
Brian's father, Reuben Krein, founded the business in 1977.