History
50+ Years of Always Looking Forward
Founded in 1968, Polytainers is a privately owned company that has been committed to providing industry-leading plastic packaging and total value solutions to customers for more than fifty years.
History
Polytainers commences operations in Toronto. During the first year of business, Polytainers operated 5 days a week in a 9,000 sq. ft. building with three 150 ton molding machines, 2 – 3 color printers and 20 Team Members! In 1968, decorating cups and lids was time consuming because rubber plates were used to create images. A press operator would have to stretch the rubber plate hoping that the image would register. If it didn’t, they would have to physically remove the plate and re-position it again. It could take up to 4 hours to set up 3 color line work. Today, it only takes 30-40 minutes to setup 8 color process print jobs. Our first cup printer (Printainer) would print 90 – 6 oz. cups per minute. Today, our Polytype machines print the same 6 oz. cup at 630 cups per minute. Similarly, our first lid printer (Printainer) would only produce 70 – 409 diameter 3 color lids per minute while our Polytype machines today will produce up to 530 – 409 diameter 8 color lids per minute!
Prior to SQF (Safe Quality Food) certification, the IMS accreditation was received from State Milk Sanitation Rating Authorities. This signified that we are in satisfactory compliance with the requirements found in the Fabrication of Single-Service Containers and Closures for Milk and Milk Products as governed by the FDA.
We make the move to our current head office/manufacturing location on Norseman Street, Toronto and adopted European technology as a standard. Polytainers’ design capabilities can be linked to European technology. In 1980, we became the first producer of European styled (pedestal) containers in North America.
The Evelyn M. Barrett Scholarship Fund was established in memory of Bob’s mother. Two scholarships are awarded annually to daughters or sons of full-time Team Members of Polytainers (Toronto) to help support the cost of their education. Subsequently, the W.D. Barrett Fund was established in 190 providing scholarships in Lee’s Summit in memory of Bob’s father.
Our Lee’s Summit, Missouri (Kansas City) facility opens, doubling Polytainers’ capacity and providing operational capability for the U.S. market. The new facility was modeled after our Toronto plant and was located in Lee’s Summit, MO as it’s within 100 miles of the geographic center of the USA. As a result, Polytainers Toronto and Lee’s Summit can ship to most major markets with overnight delivery.
Polytainers spear headed the North American transition of cups made from IM HDPE and TF HIPS to IM polypropylene (PP).
The first eight-color printer was installed in Toronto. Achieving photographic images on a cup is not easy and cannot be accomplished on a press having only six colors. After a number of requests from customers for improved graphics, Bob Barrett urged Van Dam Machine to build what is believed to be the first eight-color dry offset press in the world.
Polytainers expands capabilities with the production of thermoformed (TF) PP containers. Systems employed feature optimal process control resulting in enhanced material distribution and superior container top load.
Pre-press separations moved from an outside source to our in-house Graphics Department. Until 1998, our pre-press separations were done using an outside source. Not only did we become a total solutions provider with the move to in-house separations, but our pre-press process became more effective and efficient. If we aren’t satisfied with the results on the press, we are able to work directly with the customer and give input enabling us to resolve issues in-house with no loss of time or extra cost to the customer.
Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points (HACCP) Certification is implemented in both our Toronto and Lee’s Summit facilities. HACCP is a systematic approach to monitoring every step in the food production processes to ensure a safe and wholesome food supply. Prior to HACCP, we relied on a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) program, with HACCP, where a full hazard analysis all forms of potential contamination was completed and critical control points and a corrective actions implemented. The entire process, which normally takes a year to a year-and-a-half, was accomplished in five months.
We become a full-line rigid packaging supplier with the addition of in-mold labelling (IML) and shrink sleeve (SS) application capabilities! We also implemented a strategy to dramatically increase our TF capability.
Polytainers’ undergoes a rebrand and unveils a new logo and tagline (Success You See). The conversion of printing machines from pin bar to magnetic plates commences and PolyToneTMHigh Definition (PT-HD) is introduced to the market. Up until 2012, we used film to expose an image onto plate material and produced plates for production. We are now able to digitally expose the images directly onto plates resulting in improved quality and productivity. We are also able to create sharper images with the removal of negatives. Through our proprietary digital workflow pre-press process (PT-HD), we are able to create sharp, high quality images enhanced by a craftsman approach. Two product innovations launched in 2012 including the IML Split or Two Compartment Cups for yogurt and the Wave Series (W) of 409 diameter IML cups. The IML Split Cup enables processors to keep two sensitive products separate until the time of consumption. The W Series of IML containers feature a labelled wave shape that conceals headspace on a clear container enabling customers to showcase product on the shelf. The Wave Series of IML Containers are available in a variety of sizes. Marzetti was looking to refresh their line of veggie dips but also…Read More
The Barrett Family Foundation was established in 2013. The Barrett Family Foundation was created by Bob and Francine Barrett as a strategic approach to their philanthropic activities. The Barrett Family Foundation focuses on education, the environment and humanitarian concerns.
Who We Are
Team Members
Production Equipment
Containers Produced Annually
International Awards
Vision
To be a leading voice in the packaging
industry, earning customers’ respect as an
Our Values
Customer First
Do What’s Right
Commit to Results
Innovate for Excellence
Partner for Success
Win Through Teamwork
What Sets Us Apart
Speed To Market
Superior Decoration
Full Line Producer
Fastest Order Turnaround
Bob Barrett
Bob’s personal expectations and those of Polytainers’ Team Members exemplify “excellence.” The workplace vision combines the use of state-of-the-art technology with the aspiration to exceed customer expectations. Integrity is not negotiable.
