Bob Prakken, Founder and Chairman of Blueprint Automation, Passes Away

Bob Prakken, founder and chairman of BluePrint Automation, Inc., Colonial Heights, Va., passed away on January 6, 2012, after a long battle with cancer. Seeing an unfilled need for automatic case-packing of flexible bags, Prakken founded BluePrint Automation in 1978 out of the “proverbial garage.” Over the years, the company quickly grew into a multinational operation, with three manufacturing plants employing more than 250 people worldwide.

As a pioneer and innovator in the food packaging industry, Prakken received numerous awards, including the Golden Ice Crystal Pioneering Achievement Award in 2005. In 2001, the Dutch government recognized Prakken for his many accomplishments by honoring him with the prestigious "Knight of the Dutch Lion" award. Not only an innovator and businessman, Prakken was a husband, father, grandfather and friend. Known for his sense of humor, quick wit and zest for life, he will be missed by all who had the privilege of meeting him.