Since its founding 25 years ago, Wausau Container Corp. has grown by serving a short-run niche. Over the past four years, the Wisconsin-based folding carton manufacturer has expanded its facility by 30,000 sq ft to 100,000 sq ft and added a 28-inch 10-color flexo press/cutter line, a six-color waterless digital offset press, and additional automation in its finishing department with two auto packers and a folder-gluer. In the fall the company will be installing a new fully automated Koenig & Bauer Rapida 105 PRO six-color sheetfed press, its first from Koenig & Bauer and Wausau’s first 41-inch sheetfed press.
“We chose the Rapida 105 PRO over its competitors to provide us with greater throughput, better print quality, and a larger format (31.72″ x 41.34”) than we have at present,” says Chuck Plier, Wausau Container President. “We were thrilled that Koenig & Bauer could build this special size for us. It is a special larger maximum sheet size and larger maximum image size than is normal for a standard Rapida 105 PRO press — a Koenig & Bauer exclusive. Another important consideration was the press’s ability to provide precise press documentation to support our customers. The automation on the Rapida 105 PRO distinguishes itself with its inline inspection system by capturing each and every sheet, even while running at top speeds, to ensure that the job matches what the customer has sent to us. It provides us with a high level of reporting for credibility that we can share with our clients.”
Currently, Wausau Container offers a mix of 90% flexo and 10% offset printed products. Plier’s goal is to reduce the flexo output to 60% and increase the offset production to 40%. The corporate office in Wisconsin borders three states and is ideal for serving the food industry. Sixty percent of the product mix is food, followed closely by beverage and supplements. Clients include small entrepreneurs, regional manufacturers, and national and internationally recognized corporations.
Left to right: Jeff Plier, Vice President of Sales and Marketing and Chuck Plier, President.
