The name says it all – for 50 years!
With a name like Automated Packaging Systems there’s no ambiguity about what the company does and this week its founders were recognized for reshaping an industry.
The company which bills itself as the world leader in high-reliability packaging systems this week is celebrating its 50th anniversary and the induction of founding brothers Hershey and Bernie Lerner into the Packaging Hall of Fame at Pack Expo International, the industry’s largest trade show.
The Lerners founded Automated Packaging Systems in 1962 and are still actively involved in the business today. These innovative brothers invented the pre-opened bag-on-a-roll concept called Autobag, and have grown the business into a global corporation with a full line of Autobag, SidePouch and AirPouch bag and protective packaging products. The pair also invented many of the unique processes used in converting plastic film into preformed bags and protective packaging materials. Combined, they are responsible for most of the company’s 132 U.S. patents. With more than 30,000 packaging systems in use around the world, the company has more installations than all of its competitors combined.
Art Gould, an original partner who served as the company’s first salesperson, joined the Lerners recently for a 50th anniversary celebration with more than 1,000 employees at the company’s Streetsboro, Ohio headquarters.
"Hershey, Bernie and Art had the vision to create an innovative organization that has withstood the test of time," said Cliff Brehm, president and COO. "They laid the foundation and instilled core values that created a very special culture, widely recognized as an elite company to work for and to do business with."
In addition to the Streetsboro headquarters, the company operates four other locations in Ohio as well as locations throughout Europe, Japan, India, Thailand, China, Mexico, Brazil, Australia and elsewhere.