Interstate Container Brunswick Supplies Costco

Interstate Resources News homepage: http://news.interstateresources.com/

Source: Interstate News, Spring 2007

Interstate Container Brunswick supplies Costco. The corrugated manufacturing plant has been serving Northeast distribution center in Monroe, NJ for about 22 months now. This account continues to grow due tothe challenges they put forth and our ability to satisfy these requests.

Initially, Interstate Container Brunswick role was the small run, short lead time, specialty-type project supplier. The projects, for the most part, were promotional items that would be presented in their stores in a specialty package or pallet display. Usually these items were a one-time promotion with no repeat orders.

Production runs were 1000-3000 quantities of trays and inserts, which we developed. In the last year, we have been challenged with several key projects and have received high marks for our response. One more recent success story occurred this past holiday season when Costco struggled with a way to show three new video game systems: Nintendo Wii, MicroSoft X-Box 360, and Sony Playstation 3.

Costco wanted to bundle these games in their own package by including a controller, video game disc and other accessories not found in other stores. They designed a clam shell to house the systems. The problem was that supporting over 40 lbs each, the clam shell had inherent structural problems.

We designed a one-piece corrugated frame to protect the clam shell edges from damage and allow it to stand upright in a pallet display. The frame also provided maximum product visibility. By incorporating a suitcase-type handle we also gave the consumer an easy way to carry it. Costco continues to challenge us with projects.

Costco prides itself for finding ways to adapt new technology to make their packaging innovative and their customers’ shopping experience better. Our progress in this account reflects Interstate Container Brunswick’s ability to meet and exceed their challenge.

Southern States Packaging Company Sources Kraft Linerboard from Interstate Paper

Interstate Resources News homepage: http://news.interstateresources.com

Source: Interstate News, Spring 2007

For the past eight years, Southern States Packaging Company has come to rely on Interstate Paper for solutions to a majority of their packaging needs. Interstate Paper supplies Southern States Packaging Company with linerboard that ranges in basis weight from 35# HRC to 69# Kraft liner.

In addition to these grades, Interstate Paper's product development team and manufacturing staff, are working closely to develop and commercialize several high bulk specialty grades that will allow Southern States to strategically position themselves in several niche markets.


This opportunity could generate a sizeable amount of new business for our Riceboro Mill. Due to Interstate Paper’s unique services including: our Just in Time (JIT) stocking program, attention to customers’ needs, and our outstanding quality that has met the needs and expectations of Southern States, we have earned a substantial supply position at this company. Our desire for the future is to expand our business at Southern States and further develop and sustain a preferred supplier relationship with this valuable customer.

Southern States Packaging Company, located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, has been in business since 1984. The 27-year-old company is a leading manufacturer of paper board packaging products for a variety of industries. The company is a full service converter that manufactures a broad range of specialty products that include headers, roll wrap, solid fiber laminations, wax replacement, water, grease, and abrasion resistant coatings.

Substrates used to produce these unique products range from 26 # to 90 # kraft linerboard. Major equipment required to manufacture these specialty grades includes a state of the art coater (functional and non-functional coatings), laminators, sheeters, and die-cutters.

Due to Southern States’ sophisticated equipment, they are able to consistently provide their customers with laminations that require accurate coating weights, consistent profiles, and accurate moisture profiles. Southern States competes in a highly challenging market and because their business is so cost competitive, the company is always looking for ways to lower their cost wherever possible but not at the expense of quality.