Petoskey Plastics, Inc. was founded in 1969. Operations began with 5 employees on April 1, 1970 with one bag machine which converted purchased film into plastic bags. Total sales in the first fiscal year of operations were $74,000.
In 1975, the company purchased an extrusion line to manufacture film. The company continued to grow and acquire additional extrusion lines over the next several years. In 1987, the company applied for, and obtained a patent for a polyethylene disposable seat cover. Petoskey Plastics has extensive experience manufacturing and using recycled polymers. In 1990, the company was awarded a grant from the State of Michigan through the Quality of Life Bond Fund to recycle post-consumer polyethylene scrap. 50% matching funds were provided and all production requirements were satisfactorily completed. Petoskey Plastics has now identified the opportunity to expand Recycle capacity.
In 1990, Petoskey Plastics purchased a recycle line from Italy to reprocess plastic scrap. The recycle department was further expanded with wash line technology to reprocess post-consumer scrap in 1991 with State of Michigan assistance through a Quality of Life Grant. The Petoskey Plant today has 11 extrusion lines utilizing recycled materials, 4 converting lines and a high volume recycling department.
In 1999, Petoskey Plastics acquired the assets of a defunct polyethylene film plant in Morristown, TN. Significant investments have been made to refurbish and add new equipment. The Morristown Plant today has 6 extrusion lines utilizing recycled materials, another extrusion line under construction, 12 converting lines and a new 4 color offset paper printing press.
Petoskey Plastics has received a number of awards and special recognition in recent years. In 1999, the company was recognized for the unique design evolution of recycled content seat covers as an Automotive News P.A.C.E. award finalist. In 1999, Petoskey Plastics was also the recipient of a Keep America Beautiful Award sponsored by Ford Motor Company for its post-consumer recycling efforts.
