Zip-Pak, Manteno, Ill., will open a resealable solutions and equipment manufacturing facility in São Paulo, Brazil. The plant will reduce lead times and greatly expand technical and consulting services to customers in Brazil, Argentina and Chile. Zip-Pak plans to begin full production of its complete line of resealable closures in early 2013. In addition to eliminating duties and taxes for local customers, Zip-Pak will reduce its environmental footprint by shipping freight shorter distances to reach Latin American customers.

"The expansion in South America will enable Zip-Pak to continue providing innovative packaging solutions to an important global market," explains Perry Malik, business manager for Latin America at Zip-Pak. "We are excited to initiate local production and warehousing operations that will support the local economy while enhancing Latin American customer's experiences with our proven brand of resealable solutions."

The Brazil location also enables Zip-Pak machinery, material, and package design experts to offer ongoing consultation and field service to its Latin American customers, ensuring smooth operations and alleviating unforeseen maintenance issues. Local field technicians will also provide added value to potential customers by offering consultation on ways brands can retrofit production lines to incorporate resealable packaging. As the only zipper supplier with an in-house equipment division, Zip-Pak's engineering team can develop custom retrofit packaging systems that ease the transition to consumer-preferred resealable flexible formats without significant capital investments.

The company produces closures including its Press-to-Close line of zippers and its Zipbox resealable carton.