Packaging with a Purpose

We salute small businesses across Michigan — like Display Pack in Cedar Springs — continuing to support our communities during COVID-19.

We’re proud to provide the energy to keep Michigan going and deliver extra support to small businesses. Here is a look behind the scenes at Display Pack, a food packaging company in Cedar Springs, about 20 miles north of Grand Rapids.

As Michiganders sheltered in place during the COVID-19 pandemic in March, Display Pack experienced a sharp demand increase for plastic food packaging products.

The company ramped up production to meet the needs of food processors and large grocery retailers working to stock shelves with produce, deli and bakery items.

“We had a huge spike in demand as consumer stockpiling caused a rush on orders from existing customers,” said Andy Blackmore, Display Pack’s president and CEO. “That kept many of our employees busy.

“We also used our resources and purchased additional supplies to make more than 200,000 custom-built face shields with foam and elastic headbands that we sold and donated to front line employees.”

As the weeks went on, the company also used its tool-and-die molding capability to work with a business in nearby Belmont, making more than 3 million plastic face shields capable of connecting to a plastic strap.

While custom food packaging represents about 75 percent of the company’s portfolio, Display Pack also designs and produces items for the retail, industrial, and specialty markets. During the pandemic, Blackmore said, the company added about 30 employees to work at its 390,000-square-foot facility.

“At Display Pack, we speak often about how nothing is more important than how we work together,” Blackmore said. “This couldn’t be more true than where we are today.

“I am proud to say our team has handled this crisis incredibly well in the face of great uncertainty. I believe this is both a testament to our culture within Display Pack and the great people and companies that make West Michigan such a special place to live."