STURGIS – A Sturgis business has new owners.

Graphic Packaging International announced they have completed the acquisition of the assets of Americraft Carton Incorporated, which includes their facility on West South Street in Sturgis. GPI officials say the sale was part of a $280 million transaction that includes six other manufacturing facilities owned by Americraft Carton. Those facilities are located in Marietta, Georgia; St. Paul Minnesota; Norwalk, Ohio; Memphis Tennessee; Lowell Massachusetts and Winston-Salem, North Carolina. GPI says they are excited about adding more than 600 new teammates and seven folding carton facilities to their portfolio. The Sturgis Americraft facility has over 100 employees.

This acquisition will also enable GPI to increase their mill-to-converting plant integration levels, and further enhance their customer base in growing markets. Americraft Carton purchased the Sturgis facility in December 1989. Prior to that, the business opened their doors in April 1949 as Sturgis Carton. Over the years, the company was owned by Rockford Paper Mills, and several others. In addition, the building expanded as well.

Graphic Packaging International is a provider of sustainable paper-based packaging solutions for a variety of items to companies that produce food, beverages, food service and other consumer products.