Great Northern Corporation First Call Newsletter

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NEWS & VIEWS Rollguard® Engineers Solution for Plastic Films Manufacturer

FirstCall20 i s s u e

Great Northern Corporation

Cleveland Plastic Films was shipping rolls of its film across North America using stacked competitive plastic cradles, but sometimes the cradles would shift and separate.

Your First Call For Packaging & Display Solutions Corporate Office

“When you have rolls of film stacked two layers high, the movement of the truck is going to cause the rolls to move,” says Paul Mirka, Cleveland Plastic Films purchasing manager. “The layers have to stay stationary or the roll cradles will open or snap and you’ll have product rolling all over.”

Appleton, WI 920-739-3671 800-236-3671

Packaging Group Appleton, WI 920-739-3671 800-236-3671

Along with improved locking hubs, Rollguard developed innovative locking tabs on the ends of its patent-pending Thermoformed plastic roll cradles to keep them locked tightly together when they are positioned back to back.

Racine, WI 262-639-4700 800-558-4711 Chippewa Falls, WI 715-723-1801 800-472-1800

inSIDE

Great Northern Corporation Your First Call For Packaging & Display Solutions

Future-Focused Investments, World-Class Results

Point of View from Richard Detienne Innovative locking tabs on Thermoformed roll cradles keep cradles secure during transport.

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“Our engineers worked closely with Cleveland Plastic Films to really fine tune the locking tabs,” says John Laura, Rollguard account manager.

Swedesboro, NJ 877-784-8409

Shipping film rolls that range from 8 inches to 22 inches in diameter and can weigh up to 400 pounds requires having a variety of roll cradle solutions. Rollguard is the only roll cradle manufacturer to offer fiber, foam and plastic roll cradles from a single source.

StrataGraph Oshkosh, WI 920-651-1614 800-481-0803

Cleveland Plastic Films uses all three. “They really are one-stop shopping,” Mirka says. ■

Specialty Group Laminations Headquarters/Central Appleton, WI 920-831-0596 800-925-2626

Stackable & Mobile Pallet Displays

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New Thermoformed Roll Cradle The “Legacy project” includes substantial investments in new equipment that is capable of delivering a wide range of innovative products while running at world-class speeds.

East Allentown, PA 610-706-0910 800-945-2626

Rollguard recently developed a new patent-pending Thermoformed plastic roll cradle that features innovative patented locking tabs to keep the cradles locked tightly together when they are positioned back to back. This results in safe stacking, shipping and storage of rolled and cylindrical materials with no product shifting.

Southeast Jacksonville, FL 904-741-3150 877-265-2626 or 800-720-0401 West Fontana, CA 951-727-8690 800-285-2626

Made of high-impact polystyrene (HIPS), the new Thermoformed cradles feature improved locking hubs that are now uniform to allow easy assembly in a stackable formation. In addition, improved denesting hubs make it easier to separate stacked cradles.

Northwest Wilsonville, OR 503-682-7195 800-685-2626 Rollguard Appleton, WI 920-831-0596 800-925-2626

These innovative cradles feature a strong cushioning construction with a dust-free

www.greatnortherncorp.com www.laminationsonline.com www.rollguard.com

New East Coast Design Center

surface and a unique crowned contour that relieves pressure on roll edges.

They have a highly nestable design that allows more cradles to be stacked per pallet, producing significant savings in shipping and storage costs. They are also available with optional cradle lips for added protection on roll ends and additional slippage prevention.

Thermoformed cradles are reusable and recyclable, making them an ideal choice for manufacturers who are seeking a sustainable packaging solution. ■

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As part of its ongoing commitment to providing customers with innovative packaging solutions, Great Northern has made significant investments in state-of-the-art equipment for its Laminations operations. These investments, including proprietary machinery and technology, have been dubbed the “Legacy project,” and represent the largest investments by far that Laminations has ever made to provide its customers with the best possible solutions to meet their packaging needs.

“Laminations recognized the need to provide greater value in the solutions offered to our customers,” said Richard C. Detienne, President of the Specialty Group. “The unique capabilities of this equipment enable us to do that, as well as to develop new technology that’s transferable to many of our other machines.”

The Legacy project benefits Laminations customers in a variety of ways, the most significant being that every customer can get the exact type of solution they need, when they need it.

New Thermoformed Roll Cradle

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The new equipment is capable of running at world-class speeds, ensuring maximum efficiency and responsiveness with every customer’s order. (continued on page 3)

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POINT of VIEW Future-Focused Investments... cont.

Confirming Our Commitment

These recent investments feature advanced technology that can produce the full range of VBoard® products as well as many new laminated paperboard shapes. Customers will now have an additional source for preformed, U-shaped edge protectors. They will also now have the ability to select from more product choices to solve packaging and shipping challenges, while at the same time benefit from excellent service both in terms of responsiveness and turnaround time.

How often do you hear a business talking about partnering with you, wanting to help you grow your bottom line or top line, offering sustainable solutions or whatever else happens to be the mantra of the moment? Too often, I would guess. While many of these ideas have value, they are far easier to talk about than to accomplish.

Richard C. Detienne President, Specialty Group Great Northern Corporation

We believe that at Great Northern and Laminations, we are “walking the talk.” We have made and continue to make substantial strategic investments in people, facilities, and technology to allow us to align our capabilities with the ever-changing demands of our customers. More than ever before, we are better positioned to provide more than just very good products—we can develop dynamic solutions that make a significant, positive impact on our customers’ businesses.

We are continually strengthening and adding to the pool of talented staff throughout our business. We’ve invested in supply chain expertise, substantially increased sales staff in key growth areas such as the consumer products area, and have added packaging engineering staff to allow us to create unique, custom solutions that respond to specific needs and deliver outstanding results. Great Northern has recently acquired and started up several businesses to keep pace with our customers’ growth opportunities.

Major investments have also been made throughout Great Northern to modernize equipment, improve efficiency, increase manufacturing capacity, and provide unique capabilities in order to better serve its national client base. In our Specialty Group, one of our largest investments is the recent start-up of the Legacy machine at Laminations headquarters’ facility in Appleton, Wis. This state-of-the-art equipment is capable of running at world-class speeds and will produce a range of new standard and custom laminated paperboard shapes to enable customers to get the exact type of solution they need, when they need it. You can read more about this exciting investment in our cover story.

Great Northern’s goal is to do whatever it can to help its customers successfully differentiate their business through innovative packaging solutions and timely delivery of their products. Our commitment to this is unwavering.

Thank you for your trust in Great Northern. We look forward to working with you for many years to come.

Sincerely,

Maximum Strength, Cushioned Protection

UChannel is a sustainable solution that provides highly effective protection without excess packaging.

For applications that require cushioning and strength, Laminations offers VBoard® with ClipFoam™, an ideal solution that provides durability and stacking strength, enhanced by the cushioning of EPS foam.

One of the most exciting new products that this equipment is capable of producing is UChannel®, a three-sided edge protection solution created especially to meet the needs of window and door manufacturers.

In addition to UChannel, the new machinery will also produce the full range of VBoard products, including VBoard with larger leg lengths and more offset variability. This will be beneficial when a wider surface needs protection.

In a “Clear Case” design, customers are able to reduce excess packaging, keeping the primary product visible

The new equipment will also be able to produce flat laminated pieces that can be used as spacers to separate products such as glass sheets or other stacked flat products.

in transport, promoting better handling—leading to fewer damaged shipments and returns.

The new and improved product offerings are a logical extension of Laminations’ current product lineup, and support the company’s commitment to offering sustainable solutions that are uniquely designed to help customers bring their products cost-effectively and safely to market. In addition, by enhancing its traditional edge protector line, Laminations becomes a better choice as a preferred supplier to those customers who are faced with particularly challenging packaging problems.

VBoard with ClipFoam is available in three standard sizes: 2" x 2", 2.5” x 2.5", and 3” x 3”, in a range of densities. Custom sizes and configurations can be developed for

The Legacy project reaffirms Laminations’ commitment to continuous improvement.

“Laminations remains committed to providing the capabilities and manufacturing capacity to assure our customers they will have the packaging products they need, whenever and wherever they need them,” said Detienne. ■

special applications. The VBoard can be printed with our standard options, or customers can print their own logos or messages.

ClipFoam can also be used with PF PalletTop® around the tops and bottoms of pallet loads; with NotchBoard® for more precise corner protection; with HydroShield™ for

Richard C. Detienne

wet or humid environments; and with VGuard® when smaller edge protectors are ideal.

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NEWS & VIEWS

NEWS & VIEWS

Mobile Floor Display Keeps Brands on the Move

Stackable Pallet System Increases Storage & Retail Capacity As an industry leader in sustainable packaging solutions, Great Northern continues to develop and

Consumer Packaging & Display recently unveiled the patent-pending Mobile Floor Display.

manufacture environmentally friendly options to meet the needs of manufacturers and suppliers

This innovative product helps customers increase their product’s speed to market by allowing

who seek to be more socially and environmentally responsible.

fully loaded product displays to move easily through the supply chain, ready to be positioned in

shipped palletized and fully loaded.

high-traffic areas at retail.

It easily transforms from a shrouded

The latest sustainable offering from Consumer Packaging & Display is the Stackable Pallet

This versatile display solution is capable of holding heavyweight products—it can hold over 400

product, both in the warehouse and on the retail floor. The system is ideal for grocery,

pounds of product, and it passes ISTA test procedure 1A—and it can still be shipped, fully loaded,

electronic, home center and mass retail environments.

as a standard pallet. The unit moves through

Great Northern facilities, eliminating excess packaging. Made from 50% recycled materials, The simple design of the Stackable Pallet System uses recyclable common structural components to help eliminate over-packaging.

pallet into a ready-to-shop mobile

System—an innovative, cost-effective way for customers to increase their capacity for stacking

The patent-pending system uses common structural components, all manufactured at

requiring only a pallet jack or fork truck.

The system can be moved quickly and simply

sustainability objectives.

from storage into high-traffic retail areas,

double stacking and maximizes compression for warehousing efficiency. The system quickly and simply transforms from shrouded pallet to ready-to-shop display in less than thirty seconds, and its height is easily customized at no additional cost.

display in less than 30 seconds.

the supply chain without manual handling,

the components are 100% recyclable, providing customers another means for achieving their

The Stackable Pallet System’s durable corner construction adds strength for shipping, allows

The Mobile Floor Display unit is

eliminating the need for displays to be assembled and packed at the store and

1. Cut bands that hold the display to the lower portion of the pallet.

allowing fast and easy placement of displays at peak sell periods.

Both the shelves and the corner supports

In less than 30 seconds, the Mobile Floor

on the Stackable Pallet System can be printed

Display can be transformed from a shrouded

in up to six colors, providing strong brand

pallet into a ready-to-shop mobile display.

identity and product presentation in the store.

Wheels at the bottom of the unit allow mobility

All display levels shop independently, and

and ease of movement after the display has

layer trays can simply be removed as product

been removed from the pallet. This retail-ready

sells, for a neat, appealing retail appearance.

design eliminates the need to move the display

2. With pallet jack, lift the display as shown. Slide the lower portion of the pallet out from under the display.

onto a retail-specific pallet in the store. It also This cost-effective, convenient system is

adheres to retail clean floor policies.

available in quarter-pallet, half-pallet and full-pallet sizes, as well as custom sizes for

Semi-permanent materials extend the life of

special applications. ■

the Mobile Floor Display to more than four months, providing an innovative, sustainable solution that can be restocked and reused, reducing customers’ overall consumption of

The unique patent-pending system adds strength for shipping, allows double stacking and maximizes compression for warehousing efficiency.

Wheels allow mobility when not on pallet.

display materials.

This unique design is available in quarter-pallet, half-pallet and full pallet sizes, as well as custom 3. Lower the display to the floor and place where desired.

sizes to meet any customer’s retail display demands. ■

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NEWS & VIEWS

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Employee News at GNC

New East Coast Design Center Base Wrap Branding

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Corporate Consumer Packaging & Display has announced the opening of a new design center in Swedesboro, New Jersey, and the addition of eight new employees to enhance its responsiveness and expand its capabilities on the East Coast.

ImageWrap™, a new option in base wrap, offers a cost-effective, sustainable way to promote your brand in-store.

2008 Leadership Transition

Welcomes

Robert W. Brown and J. James Davis, founders and co-chairmen of Great Northern’s board of directors, recently announced that the company will implement its leadership succession plan at the April 2008

Photographic-quality graphics

“The experienced staff at this new facility allows us to bring our display and consumer packaging resources closer to our customers and prospective customers in the region,” said Mike Schleismann, Senior Vice President – Business Unit Manager, Consumer Packaging & Display. “The skilled people and strategic location will make us even more responsive to the needs of our East Coast customers while positioning us for new opportunities.”

allow customers to precisely match packaging graphics—no more compromising image quality or branding. Great Northern’s unique web offset printing process with UV coating capabilities ensures the highest-quality graphic reproduction.

Chris Norman has been named Vice President, Sales Development for the East Coast region. Two new regional account managers, David Foster and Dan Mart, have also joined Great Northern and, along with account manager Bill Steinberg, will be responsible for sales activities on the East Coast.

Great Northern welcomes the new staff members in the design center including design director Phil Brooks (far left) and his creative staff (l-r), Mark Petrancuri, Gary Fujitani, Reuben Cuevas and Brock Miller.

ImageWrap is available in SBS, single face or a patent-pending poly film laminate. The SBS option helps minimize space requirements by offering more feet per roll as compared to standard single-face base wrap. Great Northern’s production process has been engineered to offer all three options

The location of the new center and the expertise of the new staff members will enable Consumer Packaging & Display to offer a more immediate response to customers seeking creative, cost-effective in-store display and packaging solutions, including temporary, semi-permanent and permanent displays, retail signage and other point-of-purchase solutions.

The Swedesboro design center offers the full range of creative options to support Great Northern’s latest advancements in high-end flexographic, offset and full litho laminate printing, including direct print on microflutes and aqueous or UV coating capabilities.

Great Northern’s operations now extend into six states and include more than 800 employees. ■

annual meeting.

John Davis will assume the position of CEO in addition to his role as President of the Packaging Group.

William Raaths, CEO since 2002, will become

Pat Esslinger director of information technologies.

Chairman of the Board. Robert Brown and J. James Davis will remain on the board as Founding Directors.

Davis joined Great Northern in 1986 and has held

Packaging Group

several key positions, including President of the

Welcomes

the Packaging Group—a recognized national leader in

Phil Brooks creative director, Swedesboro, N.J. Rachel Burke project manager, Racine.

Reuben Cuevas graphic designer, Swedesboro, N.J. David Foster display/graphics sales rep, Winchester, Tenn.

Packaging Group since 2001. Under his leadership, packaging solutions and point-of-purchase displays— has expanded to four locations in Wisconsin.

Bill Raaths (left) and John Davis Raaths joined Great Northern in 2002 as its CEO. Under his leadership, Great Northern has doubled in size through market share growth, acquisitions and new venture start-ups. According to Raaths, the

Davis is confident that Great Northern is well positioned with strong opportunities for all its product and service offerings and will continue to perform solidly.

leadership transition will enable Great Northern to

In his new role, Davis intends to further support a

build on its successful 46-year history as a privately

corporate culture established by the company founders

owned company committed to its customers,

and nurtured by Raaths, a culture built on a foundation

employees and communities.

of integrity, respect, accountability and trust.

Gary Fujitani graphic designer, Swedesboro, N.J. Dan Mart display/graphics sales rep, Charlotte, N.C.

Meet Bill Faster

Brock Miller structural designer, Swedesboro, N.J.

Great Northern is excited to welcome Bill Faster as Vice President of Sales for Laminations.

Chris Norman vice president – sales development, Richmond, Va.

Bill replaces Gary Hietpas in this role. Hietpas has been promoted to Senior Vice President

He will direct strategic initiatives involving distribution and sales.

of Laminations, and will serve in this role until the end of 2008, when he will replace Rick Detienne as President of the Great Northern Specialty Group upon Rick’s retirement.

with cost-effective pricing—and to

Marc Petrancuri structural designer, Swedesboro, N.J.

allow frequent graphic changes for

Faster previously worked with Appleton, a leading manufacturer of carbonless, thermal, security and performance packaging products, in sales and sales management positions.

brands with multiple SKUs, making it an ideal choice for private labeling.

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