NDC honors Patriot Converting, Multi Packaging & Printing

Two businesses, both in the paper industry, were honored on Thursday at the Newton Development Corporation’s annual Salute to Business and Industry luncheon at the DMACC Conference Center.

Patriot Converting, Inc. was recognized for its investment in the community during the business presentation and Multi Packing & Printing, Inc. received the Jim Tyler Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Frank Liebl, executive director of NDC, offered a welcome to the more than 90 business leaders in attendance and Jo Jenkins, chair of the NDC Board, spoke about work the NDC does in the community and introduced the two recipients.

“We try to recruit new businesses to Newton, we work on leads from the Iowa Economic Development Authority, the Greater Des Moines Partnership and many of our present employers, who might want a supplier close to them that they are working with,” Jenkins said.

That was the case with Patriot Converting, which was working with Graphic Packaging International, formerly Walter G. Anderson, when they were approached to open a location closer than its original Minnesota plant. The custom paper converting company began work to expand and in 2013 opened its Iowa plant in Newton.

“What a blessing it has been to be in Newton. Communities like this are hard to find, and we are very lucky and blessed to have been here,” executive vice president Mike Stillwell said. “For a small business, having Frank walk us through the process what Newton can do, helped us find our building and continues to help us side by side, there was no way Patriot would have made it down here without Frank and everybody at NDC.”

The company currently has plants in Minnesota and Iowa occupying more than 185,000 square feet and running four sheeters, one rewinder and four guillotines and is looking to grow in the near future.

The Jim Tyler Entrepreneur of the Year Award went to Marty and Franchette Braaksma and Multi Packing & Printing, Inc. The flexible packing printing company opened in Newton in 2005 and started printing operations immediately.

“We printed balloons for about three months and Franchette started building our own business in flexible packaging,” Marty said.

The company has since expanded, purchasing additional equipment and is able to print for a quick turn over for a variety of customers across the Midwest.

At the conclusion of the awards, Liebl gave an overview of work done by NDC in the city including the Community Housing Assessment Team study which helped start the resurgence of housing in Newton. City of Newton Senior Analyst Natalie Umsted concluded the program by announcing “100 Signs of Progress” the city has seen in the past four years since the inception of “Newton’s Future: A Comprehensive Plan.”

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com