Above: Steven Lopes and Jen Greene.
‘What you want. When you want it. Packaging made simple.’ It is a straightforward concept, but for L&M Corrugated Container, it is much more than just their brand promise; it is what has guided their business for the past 46 years.
Founded in 1979 by Dick Lopes, L&M Corrugated Container operated out of Zion, IL providing customers with corrugated packaging solutions at unmatched service levels. In 2006, the second generation of Lopes family took control of the company and turned that brand promise into a way of life. Steve Lopes led the company to significant growth while opening a location in Platteville, WI, and then relocating the Zion plant to a facility in Pleasant Prairie, WI. L&M always had its eye on how it could continue to provide a level of service to its customers that went beyond industry norms. Former President, Steve Lopes, explains, “We are passionate about packaging. As a leader in technology, efficiency and customer service, we are your best choice. We’re family-owned, forward-thinking, and do whatever it takes.”
Now, the third generation of the Lopes family has taken the reigns with Steven Lopes as the President and CEO. When Steven was looking to invest in new die-cutting equipment, it didn’t take long to realise that the perfect match was another 3rd generation family-owned business located halfway around the world. Located in Wiesentheid, Germany, Göpfert specialises in high-end full-line corrugated board processing systems. “When providing customers with printed die-cut solutions on demand, one of the most important aspects of a machine is the ability to change between items at lightning speed. No machine on the market performs better with change overs than the Göpfert rotary die-cutter high board line RDC HBL,” says André Göpfert.
The Göpfert RDC HBL boasts single digit minute changeovers and is a machine that allows setting up the next job while running the current job with its dual rotating cutting die cylinder. These features and the highest print quality made this machine the perfect solution for L&M’s continuous improvement journey. “The Göpfert finally allows us to run the rotary die-cut product in the same fashion that we run the rest of our business,” says Steven Lopes. L&M installed the Göpfert RDC HBL in its location in Pleasant Prairie, WI, in September 2024. When your business model focuses on customer expectations, there is much coordination when installing a piece of equipment of this scale to ensure minimal disruptions. L&M and Göpfert worked hand in hand throughout the entire process to bring the machine online as fast as possible.
“The Göpfert RDC HBL addition is aligned and further extends our just-in-time delivery model, allowing us to pass the savings onto the customer as it cuts down on unnecessary storage costs of large inventories, reduces the risk of surplus with overstocking and improves overall operational efficiency. In a world where speed, quality, and value are paramount, continuing our innovation and improvement with the strategic, quick set-up and run-time of the Göpfert RDC HBL helps us meet the customer expectations more effectively,” explains Jen Greene, Chief Operating Officer.
L&M has demonstrated for the past 46 years that it will do whatever it takes to keep up with and exceed the ever-increasing customer needs. This installation is the latest example of L&M’s commitment to continuous improvement and positions the company as a leader in the corrugated industry. L&M will continue to invest in ways to provide customers with what they want when they want it to simplify their packaging needs.
RDC HBL in detail
The Göpfert RDC Evolution is a modular rotary die-cutter, which has been designed for highest quality flexo post printed and die cut boxes. Thanks to true servo direct drive technology and vacuum sheet transport the RDC Evolution achieves maximum register accuracy. Optional features like chamber doctor blade systems and laser engraved anilox rolls enable users to achieve the highest printing quality.
The board line height of 2,200mm and the open machine design allow setting during production.
