Bemis Company 2007 Annual Report - IR Solutions

In the 1960s, Bemis embarked on an era of intense diversification,
acquiring many companies with specialties ranging from reprographic
products to vinyl clothing and wall coverings. The majority of these
acquired companies were later sold. In 1965, Bemis acquired Curwood,
a manufacturer of film packaging for cheese and other perishable food
products, which is now Bemis’ largest subsidiary. Also in 1965, Bemis
Bro. Bag Company became Bemis Company, Inc. The name allowed
the company to retain the respected Bemis moniker, and was versatile
enough to serve as an umbrella for the company’s increasingly diverse
product lines. In 1966, Bemis stock (which was issued for the first time
in 1885) was listed on the New York Stock Exchange, under the ticker
symbol BMS.
Bemis altered its growth strategy in the 1980s from acquisitions to internal improvements,
including the significant expansion of Curwood, which opened a new state-of-the-art
facility in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. As convenience became the buzzword of the
day, Bemis created packaging solutions that fit into consumers’ increasingly
on-the-go lifestyles like frozen entrée trays that could be used in
microwaves and traditional ovens, heat-in pouches, and vacuumpacked
brick pack coffee packages. In the 1990s, Bemis again
embarked on an acquisition strategy, acquiring companies that
could contribute to its core businesses and entering into new
markets like the medical device packaging industry. Bemis’
international presence has also grown significantly, due in
particular to its acquisition of Brazilian company Dixie Toga
in 2005 and to Bemis’ European and Asian expansion.
5
Celebrating 150 Years
As the twenty-first century progresses, Bemis continues to
create innovative flexible packaging and pressure sensitive
solutions with products that meet the demands of the
modern world.