It is that time of year again when we are planning the Annual Sustainable Forestry Conference to take place in Florence, WI on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. It is our 20th Anniversary!Brochures will be coming out Mid-Late February. Hope to see you there.
Keller, Inc. has been chosen as the Architect and General Contractor/Builder on a 1,500 sq. ft. remodel project for Nercon located at 1023 Superior Avenue in Oconto, Wisconsin. Nercon is a past Keller, Inc. customer who requested a remodel of their 2nd floor to renovate for a fitness room, office and training space for their employees. The project will help Nercon better serve their employees, as the idea for the remodel came from an employee survey. The project will start this summer and be complete in the fall.
For more information on Keller, Inc., Top Metal Builder in the Nation as reported by “Metal Construction News”, visit www.kellerbuilds.com.
Keller, Inc. has been chosen as the Architect and General Contractor/Builder on a 25,000 sq. ft. addition & reroof project for Print Pro Inc located at 1450 Poplar St, Wrightstown, Wisconsin.
For more information on Keller, Inc., Top Metal Builder in the Nation as reported by “Metal Construction News”, visit www.kellerbuilds.com.
You’re invited to get an exclusive first look at our Community Programs Collective! This new space will provide expanded opportunities to serve more individuals, enhance program offerings, and create a truly inclusive and accessible environment for everyone in our community.
Join us to see firsthand how this investment will remove barriers, foster independence, and positively impact the lives of those we serve.
The 5P SHOWCASE EXPO on February 25-26-25 at the Fox Cities Expo Center in Appleton, WI was an outstanding success! The Green Bay Innovation Group (GBIG) and the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) would like to thank our 110 Exhibitors and Members and our 575 guests. We want to thank our guest speakers: Michael Manley of Amazon, Paul Murphy of Menasha, Mark Hunter of Hoffmaster, Heather Prah of IDDBA, Natha Dempsey of Foodservice Packaging Institute, and the outstanding Panel from the University of Wisconsin.
The Presentations were magnificent with a packed audience addressing current issues impacting our industries for the two-day event. The 5P Showcase surpassed your expectations with a diverse range of exhibitors! We had an excellent networking event with over 275 people hosted by Hoffman Planning, Design & Construction, Hurckman Mechanical and McClone Insurance.
Written by Heather Prach
Heather Prach serves as the Vice President of Education and Industry Relations at the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA), a nonprofit organization based in Madison, Wisconsin, that has been serving the dairy, deli, bakery, cheese, and supermarket foodservice industries since 1964. In her role, Prach oversees the development and delivery of educational resources and industry insights to IDDBA members. Through these initiatives, Prach continues to support IDDBA’s mission to provide members with the tools and knowledge necessary to grow their businesses in the dynamic dairy, deli, and bakery sectors.
In today’s fast-paced world, consumers are increasingly prioritizing convenience when it comes to meal prep. With busy schedules, many are turning to pre-made meals or partially prepared ingredients that simplify cooking without sacrificing flavor. According to Datassential’s 2024 report, half of all at-home meals now involve pre-made elements, showcasing the growing preference for ready-to-eat or easy-to-assemble options. These meals save time and reduce the complexity of cooking, while still delivering delicious results.
“Consumers are looking for efficiency in the kitchen,” says Jonna Parker from Circana. Pre-cooked proteins, meal kits, and ready-to-heat dishes have become go-to choices for many, turning what would be a complex recipe into a straightforward assembly task. Appliances like microwaves and air fryers, which are used more frequently by younger generations, are also driving this shift toward quicker meal prep.
Despite the focus on convenience, today’s consumers still care deeply about taste and quality. There is a noticeable trend toward upgrading pre-made foods with creative touches. Store-bought pizzas can be transformed into gourmet meals with fresh toppings like burrata or arugula, while pre-packaged desserts can be enhanced with artisanal sauces or a sprinkle of edible gold dust. This trend demonstrates that indulgence and convenience don’t have to be mutually exclusive—small changes can make a big impact.
Sustainability is also playing a key role in shaping food trends. Consumers are more conscious than ever about their environmental impact, favoring brands that offer eco-friendly packaging and sustainable food practices. In particular, multi-purpose products that cater to different meal types or dietary needs are growing in popularity. Reducing food waste and embracing sustainable practices are becoming essential for companies to stay in tune with consumer values.
The demand for innovation in the food industry continues to grow. With 86% of consumers eager to try new foods, there is an increasing desire for fresh, exciting culinary experiences. From limited-time offerings to multicultural flavor explorations, consumers are seeking bold, unexpected dishes. Pop-up flavors and exclusive collaborations are creating buzz, tapping into consumers’ hunger for novelty.
Social media is further fueling food trends, especially among younger generations. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram not only shape what people eat but also drive purchasing decisions. Viral food trends, quirky flavor combinations, and nostalgia-driven creations are increasingly becoming part of the cultural zeitgeist. Consumers are more likely than ever to try something new simply because they’ve seen it online.
As consumer preferences evolve, the food industry is adapting by offering products that are quick, creative, and sustainable. The demand for convenient, flavorful, and innovative meals is stronger than ever, and brands that can balance these needs will thrive in this fast-moving market. From transforming simple ingredients into luxury meals to introducing new flavors, the future of food is all about simplicity, indulgence, and endless possibilities.
Get links to the latest news, events, stories, and interviews from our 5P news members. Our goal is to remind the decision-makers in Wisconsin of the importance of our industry both historically, and more importantly, into the future.
Read the latest 96 Stories and Links on the Internet below.
Why did the Green Bay Innovation Group and the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association choose Appleton, WI to host the 5P Showcase Expo on February 25-26-25? Wisconsin and the Great Lakes States companies are the largest suppliers of Packaging and Food Products in the United States! Wisconsin has sixty-nine label companies with close to ninety plants and the Converting Industry has over three hundred companies involved in Converting in Wisconsin. Appleton, WI, and the surrounding area has over 110 companies involved in the Packaging Market. Appleton was the founding of the Paper Industry with the likes of Kimbery-Clark, Appleton Paper, Neenah Paper and twelve other paper companies on the Fox River. Appleton is called the PAPER VALLEY! Today, we need to call Appleton the PACKAGING VALLEY!
The Green Bay Innovation Group has done extensive research on the 5P and Converting Industries. We are breaking out each industry to better understand the impact on the Wisconsin Economy. We will focus on the label industry.
The Label demand in the United States is projected to reach $21.9 billion by 2033. Sales of labels are valued at $15.7 billion in 2023 to expand at 4.3% CAGR annually in the USA and the global market will reach $67.36 by 2033. The labels in food packaging are 25% of the market share of label production followed by the Pharmaceutical Industry and the Chemical Industry! We are witnessing that new requirement by Governments, Transparency, Brand awareness, and Sustainability are driving the growth of the label market. The printed label and packaging market in 2024 are valued at $517.9 billion.
We are witnessing the growing adoption of digital printing increasing the consumption of sleeve labels. Digital printing technologies provide advantages over other printing technologies in several categories such as cost, time, and lower barrier requirements in the packaging sector. Sleeve labels used in beverage bottles and containers are required for aesthetic design, and coloring options to meet the market demand with a much broad range of color. However, Flexo Printing remains the biggest printing technology for high-volume label production followed by offset printing.
The label printing industry is an ever-evolving market. Companies are looking for innovative labels to differentiate themselves, meet compliance regulations, improve transparency, sustainability, tracking, and inventory!
The 5P Showcase Expo will address these issues with outstanding speakers and exhibitors on February 25th and 26th.
Beaver Dam, Wisconsin – January 23, 2025 – Paper Dimensions LLC, a leading provider of custom slitting, rewinding, packaging, and inventory management services, is excited to announce a strategic partnership with Driven Solutions LLC, a premier packaging solutions company based in River Falls, Wisconsin. This collaboration aims to leverage the strengths of both organizations to foster mutual business development and deliver enhanced value to their clients.
Paper Dimensions LLC, formerly K&L Services, has been a leader in the paper converting industry since 1972. With 50 years of expertise, the company specializes in precise slitting, efficient rewinding, custom packaging options, and comprehensive inventory management. Serving a diverse range of markets, Paper Dimensions is committed to delivering tailored, timely, and on-target solutions to meet the dynamic needs of its clients. (paperdimensionsllc.com)
Driven Solutions LLC is a strategic partner in custom packaging excellence, serving various markets such as medical, industrial, automotive, forestry, cannabis, converting, agriculture, pet products, retail, and food sectors. They offer tailored solutions, proactive monitoring, and cost reduction strategies to streamline inventory excellence, ensuring that clients receive packaging solutions that are both innovative and sustainable. (drivensol.com)
The partnership between Paper Dimensions LLC and Driven Solutions LLC is set to create synergies that will enhance the service offerings of both companies. By combining Paper Dimensions’ expertise in paper converting with Driven Solutions’ proficiency in packaging, the collaboration aims to provide comprehensive solutions that meet the evolving needs of their diverse client base.
“We are thrilled to partner with Driven Solutions LLC,” said Peter Emenecker, President of Paper Dimensions LLC. “This alliance allows us to offer our clients integrated services that encompass both paper converting and packaging solutions, ensuring a cohesive approach to product development and market delivery.”
Rich Olson, President of Driven Solutions LLC, added, “Collaborating with Paper Dimensions LLC aligns with our commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction. Together, we can deliver unparalleled value by merging our packaging expertise with their converting capabilities.”
Clients of both companies can look forward to a seamless integration of services that will enhance their market presence and operational efficiency. The partnership is effective immediately, and joint initiatives are already underway.
Paper Dimensions LLC is a leading provider of custom slitting, rewinding, packaging, and inventory management services. With 50 years of expertise, the company serves a diverse range of markets, delivering tailored solutions to meet the dynamic needs of its clients. (paperdimensionsllc.com)
Driven Solutions LLC is a packaging solutions company specializing in serving various industries, including medical, industrial, automotive, forestry, cannabis, converting, agriculture, pet products, retail, and food sectors. They provide tailored packaging solutions, proactive inventory management, and cost reduction strategies to ensure clients receive innovative and sustainable packaging services.
Contact:
Trista Rahn
VP-Sales
Paper Dimensions LLC
Phone: 920-885-3335
Email: trahn@paperdimensionsllc.com
Website: www.paperdimensionsllc.com
Robinson has made a major commitment to capacity enhancement through automated manufacturing with the installation of the Mitsubishi GX-F ADVANCED 12kW fiber laser and 20-shelf SmartFlex RAPID automation tower. This addition to our main De Pere, Wisconsin, facility delivers cutting speeds that are at least double those of previous laser generations.
A key component of automated manufacturing technology is the ability of the machine to access raw materials as needed. This is where the 20-shelf material tower comes into play. Standing three stories tall, the tower is the tallest in Wisconsin for any Mitsubishi customer. It holds up to 120,000 pounds of materials for rapid replenishment or changes.
“This investment in automated manufacturing gives us the ability to meet the demand that our customers are requesting,” states Jamie Tilkens, Process Improvement Manager at Robinson. “This generation of fiber laser completes faster, cleaner cuts without the burr issues common with previous generations. This enables us to increase capacity and deliver finished products in a faster timeframe.”
The ML 4020 GX-F ADVANCED model provides the expanded workspace needed for larger projects such as the power system enclosures for which Robinson is an industry leader. The unit can handle a maximum work piece size of 159.44 x 81.1 inches, or 3,637 pounds, with a maximum processing feed rate of 100 meters per minute.
The Mitsubishi GX-F ADVANCED 12kW fiber laser can support up to four lasers on the same line with the ability to independently load and unload units. The machine’s highly configurable and expandable design will allow us to reduce operational costs as customer demand evolves.
The unit uses advanced AI technology that monitors light and sound to optimize cutting performance and speed, change nozzles as needed, and maintain stability. The lasers leverage assist-gas technologies to configure the optimal mixes of nitrogen gas and shop air for specific materials and thicknesses.
“AGR cutting technology determines the right mixes to achieve higher feed rates and better cuts without consuming as much costly nitrogen,” Tilkens explains. “Adding another laser into the system will let us run multiple jobs at the same time. This level of automated manufacturing really sets us up for future capacity expansion.”
Robinson, Inc., is a single-source metal solutions provider based in De Pere, Wisconsin. Robinson offers design, manufacturing and production fabrication for a wide range of industries. The company employs over 700 people at four Wisconsin locations comprising 770,000 square feet of manufacturing space.
For more information about Robinson’s capabilities or to request a quote, please call (920) 494-7411, or visit https://robinsoninc.com.
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