Menasha Packaging, a provider of packaging solutions, has announced a significant investment to enhance its preprint capabilities in North America.  

The company has committed more than $50m to transform the preprinted graphic packaging sector through strategic investments in new assets, automation, and robotics, establishing a Preprint hub. 

The expansion includes the addition of a new approximately eight-colour varnish press to Menasha's asset portfolio, alongside new facility automation and robotics.  

These advancements are designed to cater to the industry's demand for diverse run quantities and rapid changeovers.  

The investment is expected to double Menasha's preprint capacity in North America. 

The new press will complement Menasha's existing preprint presses, prepress capabilities, and in-house platemaking, positioning the company to meet the changing needs of its customers.  

Menasha executive vice-president Jeff Krepline said: "These investments are going to drive improvements in both quality and safety, while delivering incremental capacity and significant reductions in make-ready and set up times.  

"This Preprint hub will support a North American corrugated and packout network that not only converts the preprint into graphic packaging boxes, but also fulfils a significant portion of the boxes with customer product when required.”  

In addition to improving capabilities, the investment is set to create 25-30 new jobs in the Fox Valley area in Wisconsin, with roles ranging from press operators to secondary operators, plate mounters, utility, and shipping and receiving team members.  

Menasha Packaging president Mike Riegsecker said: "We're committed to being the leader in North American preprinted graphic packaging solutions. We see these investments as something that underscores our unwavering commitment to our customers, to innovation, and community growth." 

Menasha's locally produced preprint in Neenah, Wisconsin, will be converted across its North American network, with final graphic packaging solutions shipping to all 50 US states, as well as Canada and Mexico. 

In March this year, Menasha Packaging announced a $70m investment to expand its operations in Richmond, Indiana, US.