Written by: Timur Lesov

May 08, 2025

Updated on May 14, 2025

ORBIS Corporation is a key player in reusable packaging. They blend innovation with sustainability to meet the needs of various global markets. ORBIS, part of Menasha Corporation, is one of the oldest family-owned manufacturers in the U.S. They focus on sustainable packaging solutions. Their designs help improve supply chains in many industries.

We are not affiliated with ORBIS Corporation company. Any mention of its name or brand is made solely for the purpose of objective analysis. The opinions presented reflect the author’s personal experience. The use of trademarks and/or logos (if any) is solely for the purpose of criticism and analysis as permitted by Fair Use legislation.

Company History and Formation

ORBIS Corporation began in 1996. Menasha Corporation merged four businesses. Now, it provides complete reusable packaging solutions. These foundational businesses included:

• LEWISystems: Began as G.B. Lewis. They made wood handling products for bakeries, laundries, hospitals, and industrial plants. G.B. Lewis was a pioneer in plastic reusable containers by the 1950s. In 1974, Menasha acquired the company and renamed it LEWISystems.
• CONVOY: Menasha’s plastic pallet division focused on cleanliness, durability, and cost efficiency. It aimed to solve issues that come with wood pallets. Over 25 years, it grew to become one of the largest plastic pallet manufacturers in the US.
• DuraPAK is a division created by Menasha. It focuses on protective interior dunnage for the automotive and electronics markets.
• WolPac is a company that focuses on material handling and engineering services. Menasha acquired it to boost their supply chain skills.

This consolidation formed a single solution provider. You can now find quality plastic containers, pallets, custom dunnage, and engineering services all in one spot.

The company’s growth trajectory includes several strategic acquisitions. In October 2001, ORBIS bought Cookson Plastic Molding. This move helped ORBIS boost its role as a plastic pallet maker. In 2004, ORBIS bought Hays Container Systems. This led to the creation of ORBIS Container Services. It manages pools of reusable plastic containers for the produce supply chain. In 2006, ORBIS bought LinPac Material Handling. This purchase added longer bulk containers. These are often used for packaging automotive parts. In 2008, ORBIS bought Norseman Plastics Holdings, Ltd. This move let them expand into containers for bakery, beverage, dairy, and more. Most recently, in October 2024, ORBIS acquired Creative Techniques, Inc. CTI is a Michigan-based company. It focuses on custom packaging. They also offer strong engineering and manufacturing skills.

Leadership and Organizational Structure

ORBIS Corporation is a subsidiary of Menasha Corporation. It is based in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. The current president of ORBIS is Norm Kukuk, who assumed the role on March 31, 2023.

Kukuk began his career at ORBIS in 1998 as an associate product manager. He has a long history with the company. Throughout his tenure, he held various leadership positions, including:

• Vice President of Marketing and Product Management (2009)
• Vice President and General Manager of the ORBIS Custom Business Unit (2018)
• Executive Vice President of Sales (2020)
• Executive Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Product Management (2022)

Kukuk succeeded Bill Ash, who served as president from 2009 to 2023. Ash joined ORBIS in 2003 as Vice President of Finance before becoming president. Under Ash’s leadership, ORBIS achieved remarkable growth. They set a strong standard for commitment to employees, customers, suppliers, and communities.

Christopher D. Drees took on the role of President and CEO at Menasha Corporation in March 2023. He succeeded James M. Kotek.

Products and Services

ORBIS Corporation offers a comprehensive range of reusable packaging solutions designed to improve product flow throughout the supply chain:

1. Reusable Plastic Containers: The company produces a variety of containers for diverse applications, building on the pioneering work of G.B. Lewis, which designed the first fiberglass tote pan as a lightweight, durable, low-cost alternative to wood boxes.
2. Plastic Pallets: ORBIS manufactures stackable plastic pallets with static load capacities up to 30,000 lbs, ideal for stack loading, conveying systems, distribution centers, and static storage. These pallets are available in footprints from 32” x 38” to 48” x 72” and come in one-piece, two-piece assembled, and welded styles.
3. Bulk Containers: The company introduced their comprehensive BulkPak product line in 1997 to meet the bulk packaging needs of their diverse customer base.
4. Dunnage: Custom protective interior packaging designed to secure and protect products during transport, reducing damage to expensive and sensitive components.
5. Specialized Products: In 2014, ORBIS launched the Pally, an innovative pallet and dolly combination designed specifically for retail distribution.

Beyond physical products, ORBIS provides a suite of services:

• Reusable Packaging Management (RPM): ORBIS RPM uses SmartTrak 360 technology, a proprietary software system designed specifically for reusable packaging management. This service manages the collection, cleaning, maintenance, and return of reusable packaging, providing crucial visibility to packaging assets at each node in the supply chain.
• Implementation and Engineering Services: Expert guidance to ensure smooth transition to reusable packaging systems, along with on-site or off-site support to implement cost-effective programs.
• Environmental Analysis: ORBIS helps companies analyze their supply chain to determine environmental impacts in terms of solid waste, energy usage, water usage, and CO2 emissions.

Global Presence and Manufacturing Capabilities

ORBIS has a strong global presence. It has manufacturing, design, and packaging sites in North America and Europe.

• North American Operations: Located in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, we have multiple manufacturing sites. A key facility is in Urbana, Ohio.
• European Operations: Since 2016, ORBIS has represented its parent company in EMEA. It has offices, production facilities, and storage in Germany and Belgium.
• Mexican Operations: ORBIS has established a presence in Mexico with its headquarters there.

In 2022, ORBIS began a $47 million expansion project in Urbana, Ohio. This project added a 50,000-square-foot facility next to the current one. It aims to boost production by 30% and bring in 40 to 50 new associates. In mid-2023, the Urbana location was ready to be the biggest ORBIS facility.

Sustainability Initiatives

Sustainability is central to ORBIS’s business model and operations. Menasha Corporation has practiced environmental stewardship in its operations for 175 years.

Key sustainability initiatives include:

• Circular Economy Focus: ORBIS believes in the circular economy. This means a steady flow of products. We follow the 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
• Ocean in Mind Program: This program collects single-use plastic waste from coastlines. It recycles and repurposes the plastic into reusable packaging solutions. ORBIS removes around 1 million pounds of single-use plastic from oceans annually. It also stops another 1 million pounds from becoming environmental waste. This is like keeping 50 million shampoo bottles out of the ocean annually.
• Recycling Program: The “Recycle with ORBIS” program helps reclaim old plastic packaging. They turn this surplus into new products. This creates a closed-loop system that has no impact on solid waste.
• Environmental Impact Analysis: ORBIS helps companies see the benefits of reusable packaging. It offers data on lower CO2 emissions, less water use, and reduced energy consumption.

ORBIS has gained recognition from industry publications. It received awards from Food Logistics, Inbound Logistics, and Supply & Demand Chain Executive. These awards celebrate its green supply chain management and logistics efforts.

Corporate Values and Community Engagement

ORBIS, part of Menasha Corporation, has core values that guide the company. The company demonstrates its commitment to community through various initiatives:

• Community Action Teams: Every ORBIS facility has a Community Action Team. They help the local communities where employees live and work.
• Sustainable Business Practices: ORBIS weaves sustainability into every part of its work. It starts with sourcing and goes through design, manufacturing, and distribution. This shows the company’s strong commitment to caring for the environment.
• Industry Leadership: ORBIS leads in the circular economy. It promotes reusable packaging, which helps supply chains and the environment.

Timur Lesov

Eco-freak, nerd, and green technology fanatic. I’m in favor of making eco-friendly living simple as well. I graduated from Berkeley in 2017. Studied environmental science and all things sustainability related. I create content and share simple tips for greening your everyday life. I think even small changes can make a huge difference and we can build a cleaner and more sustainable future.