Sky's the limit for TC plastics co.

TRAVERSE CITY -- Much of Michigan's economy has lagged over the past few years, but since 2004 a Traverse City plastics company has experienced tremendous growth.

Established in 1999 by owner David Peterson, Plascon Group supplies businesses with a variety of plastic and manufacturing needs, ranging from traditional films, bags and dry storage containment liners to innovative flexible food packaging and green plastic products.

The company not only offers clients the materials they need, but also provides machinery and sets up complete turn-key manufacturing programs.

Since 2004, the company's growth has been impressive -- now encompassing five divisions, each offering different products or services to clients across the United States and Canada. In four years, the number of employees exploded from two to 34. In 2007, the company posted $14 million in sales.

"The company began in 1999 offering turn-key programs to the state of Michigan to employ inmates," explained chief operating officer Jennifer Rastelli.

A few years later, Plascon struck up a working arrangement with Grand Traverse Industries, which provides employment and training to persons with disabilities. Plascon helped set up manufacturing programs for GTI, which makes plastic bags, toilet tissues and corrugated boxes. GTI also provides all liners for the Michigan Department of Corrections.

"I'd be hard-pressed to find a better business partner whose mission lines up so well with our own," said Steve Perdue, GTI's president/CEO. "They're dedicated to helping us create jobs for folks with disabilities. It's a win, win, win."

Other notable Plascon clients include Disney World, Harrah's, Munson Healthcare, Northwestern Michigan College, Turtle Creek Casino and prison systems of New York and New Jersey.

One of Plascon's most recent successes is its new line of biodegradable plastic bags. In January, Plascon introduced an innovative line of biodegradable items that have no toxic by-products. The company's green products have been tested to successfully biodegrade between nine months to five years under most environmental conditions.

Plascon's packaging division was launched in 2004 and produces durable cook chill bags, in which food can be chilled, frozen, stored and distributed, then reheated right in the plastic bag for easy preparation.

Another Plascon division is Plasport, which specializes in making dry liners for bulk containers and other storage and packaging products. Plasport's president is Steve Duchon, who became a partner with Peterson in March of this year.

Address: 2375 Traversefield, Traverse City
Phone: (231) 935-1580
Online: plascongroup.com
Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Employees: 34
Years in business: 9

In Business is a weekly feature on northern Michigan businesses. Next week: Nueflor.

Photos

Marcus Beutler, an operator at Plascon, monitors his machine as it converts cook chill tubing into bags for food storage. Record-Eagle