Plastic Ingenuity of Cross Plains, Wisconsin, the national leader in thermoformed packaging, donated a thermoforming machine valued at $95,000 to Christian  Brothers University. Present at the donation were: Front Row (left to right) Dr. Asit Ray, Rick Esser, Tom Kuehn, Plastic Ingenuity President, Brother Vincent Malham, FSC., CBU President, Dr. Eric Welch, and Dr. Pong Malasri.  Back Row: (left to right): Tim Lemirande, Jess Mellenthin, Jason Crosby

Memphis:  February 27, 2008 - Plastic Ingenuity of Cross Plains, Wisconsin, the national leader in thermoformed packaging, donated a thermoforming machine valued at $95,000 to Christian Brothers University (CBU).  This donation to CBU’s packaging laboratory expands the capabilities of the lab and while providing students with additional hands-on experience.  The lab is utilized for research and development in the areas of medical device and food packaging.

As part of their community outreach services, Plastic Ingenuity, Mid-South Chapter of the Institute of Packaging Professionals, and CBU hosted a seminar on thermoforming for the local packaging community.  Included in the seminar was a demonstration of the thermoformer machine and a practical educational experience.

“Customers today demand competitive pricing, overnight delivery, and innovative product designs.   To meet these demands, continual improvement is critical to our future success within the industry.  This success is derived from a highly educated work force, which is why we have partnered with quality universities for the past 25 years,” explains Tom Kuehn, president of Plastic Ingenuity.  “When we first visited the CBU campus, we were impressed with the variety of molding and testing equipment available to the students.  We believed the addition of a thermoformer would enhance with this already impressive packaging laboratory.   We are proud to work with the faculty and staff at CBU to help develop and promote our future leaders.”

In response to local and national industry needs, CBU began offering its packaging program in 2001 and established its packaging laboratory in 2003.  Since then, various packaging-related activities have been introduced including the spring egg drop competition and summer program for high school students, as well as seminars for packaging professionals.  “These activities and the overall expansion of the program have been made possible by local and national support from industries, organizations and foundations. We especially appreciate Plastic Ingenuity’s generous gift and continued support which is crucial to educating our future engineers, particularly the educational component of hands-on lab experience using state-of-the-art equipment.” states Brother Vincent Malham, CBU President.  ###