API Group has announced its single largest business growth investment yet – the creation of a North American Center of Excellence in Lawrence, Kansas. The project will consolidate API’s decorative holographic and foil manufacturing on the existing site, with the addition of new factory space and manufacturing equipment concluding in 2018.

API first launched its operations in Lawrence in 1995, and this latest investment recognizes the skills of the work force and its central geographic location, making it the ideal site to act as a platform for API’s growth in serving its North American customers and beyond.

The investment is the biggest capital expenditure project made by API outside of an acquisition, and follows API’s successful acquisition of Hazen Paper Company’s Paperboard Osgood, Indiana Lamination facility and the acquisition of Amsterdam Metallized Products in 2016. As part of the project, API’s Rahway, New Jersey foils facility will close. The transfer of jobs and equipment from New Jersey to Kansas will create a net increase in employment. API will also announce the site of its new Eastern North American distribution center by the third quarter of 2017.

“We are delighted with the confidence API inspires in its customer base, and our strategy of investing in the business to meet the growing demands of the North American packaging sector,” said Dino Kiriakopoulos, CEO of the API Group. “We have a strong track record of innovation, technical excellence and continuous improvement. The development of our Kansas Center of Excellence is a key part of our strategy to focus on delivering the latest brand enhancement solutions for our customers.”
When completed, the site will boast a new coating facility with a two-stage foil coater, new state of the art mix mill, a new distribution center, together with new holographic embossing equipment. Significant investment in R&D services will also ensure that API is able to develop the next generation of products to meet the growing demand for foils seen on the latest packaging.