| Ropak is the producer of customized packaging machines for the production of dry and liquid product pouches worldwide.
Profile
In the early 1970's in Decatur, Alabama, two brothers were challenged by a small packaging company to develop a better way to package small pouches of sugar. Ernest and Ralph Matthews, working for the family's machine shop business, developed the Ropak packaging system, centering on a continuous-motion rotary filling system. Over 10 or 12 years they sold a number of the machine to producers in the United States and Canada.
In early 1985, the brothers purchased the design from the parent company (now called Matthews Industries) and formed Ropak Manufacturing Company. Their goal was the production and international marketing of their successful design. In 1988 Ropak built and moved into its modern production facility in Decatur, Alabama.
Since then, Ropak has produced customized packaging machines for the high-speed production of dry product pouches worldwide...
In 1990, Ropak acquired the Tartan Machine Company, manufacturer of a vertical form/fill/seal machine for packaging liquid products. A total redesign of the vertical machine ensued, culminating in the technologically-advanced Expresspak machine line. This successful machine line broadened the market appeal of Ropak, adding a new dimension to the company's market strategy.
In 2000, Ropak became the first American manufacturer of a "stick pack" machine for both dry and liquid products. The "StikPak" machine saves packaging material while presenting a new and unique package configuration to the consumer.
Currently, Ropak employs approximately 40 people and continues its mission to be "A Leader in Flexible Packaging Technology." |
