SUPPLIER SHORTS

The Haskell Company, a Jacksonville, Fla.-based design-build firm, said it strengthened its food and beverage industry capabilities with the purchase ofE²M, an Atlanta-based manufacturing system integration firm.

“This is a strategic move for Haskell that will position us in the national and international marketplace as leading experts in both manufacturing and facility solutions. Our integrated team can provide world-class solutions in process, packaging, material handling, and building facilities,” said Jim O’Leary, group president of The Haskell Company. “By joining forces with E²M, Haskell will now serve as a single-point of contact for customers that want to design and construct a manufacturing plant from site selection and due diligence to the final phases of process, packaging, material handling and facility construction. Our professionals can deliver small- and large-scale projects consisting of the building and the systems inside it.”

Rigid and flexible food packaging supplierClear Lam Packaging Inc., Elk Grove Village, Ill., said it hiredJan Ackeras president and chief operating officer for the company's Thermoformed Products Division. Acker previously was president of Placon and a vice president at Fabri-Kal.

Pactiv Corporation, Lake Forest, Ill., said it scheduled the final phase of a nearly $12 million equipment upgrade to increase capacity for expanded polystyrene food processor trays. Pactiv said the two-year project has updated selected extrusion, thermoforming, padding, and packaging equipment in four manufacturing locations. Officials said they expect to complete the capacity upgrades in early 2011, in time to match rising demand.

“As a proven primary supplier to many of our large food processor customers, this investment ensures that we will be able to continue to provide quality products and service,” said Peter Lazaredes, Pactiv’s executive vice president and general manager, Foodservice/Food Packaging. “Food processors are responding to consumer preferences and we’re moving quickly to ensure continuous availability. Consumers prefer this type of meat packaging as the standard for freshness, quality, safety, and food flavor.”