History Timeline
In the Beginning: A dream, determination and a basement.
Placon, founded in 1966, continues to thrive with the same modest Midwestern values of its founder Tom Mohs. Tom’s early entrepreneurial spirit still lives on and inspires the heart and mind of the engineer in all of us.
1960s
- 1966: Innovating since 1966
- 1967: In the Beginning
- 1969: Building the Future
1966
Innovating since 1966
Placon is established after Tom Mohs builds a small thermoforming machine in his basement. A plastic jewelry box is the first product produced.
1967
In the Beginning
Placon purchases its first automatic thermoforming machine.
1969
Building the Future
A 6,000 sq. ft. facility is built on the newly purchased McKee Road property in Madison, WI.
1970s
1979
Picture Perfect
The company becomes one of the suppliers of the blister that goes over the Kodak® Color Burst Camera.
1980s
- 1980: Introducing the BlisterBox®
- 1982: Expanding Markets
- 1988: In-House Recycling
1980
Introducing the BlisterBox®
Placon invents and patents what would become a mainstay in retail stores worldwide, the BlisterBox® container.
1982
Expanding Markets
The company adds its disposable plastic food packaging division.
1988
In-House Recycling
Placon’s internal Recycling Department is established.
1990s
- 1991: First PET Content Package with Recycled Content
- 1995: International Standards
- 1998: Customizing Solutions
1991
First PET Content Package with Recycled Content
Placon introduces the first PET retail clamshell made with post-consumer recycled content, which is sold in Walmart stores.
1995
International Standards
Placon’s Madison, Wisconsin office becomes ISO 9001 certified.
1998
Customizing Solutions
The company’s Custom Products Division is formed, taking thermoformed packaging to new heights.
2000s
- 2001: Moving Ahead
- 2003: On a Roll with Recycled PET
- 2005: Topping the Charts
- 2007: Envisioning the Future
2001
Moving Ahead
The Placon facility in Madison, Wisconsin earns its first AIB inspection certificate and first order for Crystal Seal® products.
2003
On a Roll with Recycled PET
2005
Topping the Charts
2007
Envisioning the Future
2010s
- 2011: Expanding Capabilities
- 2013: Award Winning
- 2014: Fast Forward
- 2016: Brand Expansion
- 2016: Reaching Milestones
- 2017: Receiving Recognition
- 2017: Collaborative Approach
- 2018: Award Winning
- 2018: Medical Market Expansion
- 2019: Excellence in Design
2011
Expanding Capabilities
Placon acquires Barger, a total solutions medical device packaging company located in Elkhart, Indiana. Placon’s state-of-the-art recycling facility opens its doors and begins producing EcoStar® post-consumer recycled PET rollstock.
2013
Award Winning
The company receives a DuPont Gold and IOPP AmeriStar award for P&G Gillette’s Venus & Olay package and picks up a Barger AmeriStar win for its Wright Medical clamshell packaging design.
2014
Fast Forward
Injection molding capabilities are added with the acquisition of Plastic Packaging Corporation in West Springfield, Massachusetts.
2016
Brand Expansion
Placon expands further into the retail and medical packaging markets through its acquisition of Brookdale Plastics, located in Plymouth, Minnesota.
2016
Reaching Milestones
Placon celebrates its 50th Anniversary.
2017
Receiving Recognition
Placon founder Tom Mohs is inducted posthumously into the Plastics Hall of Fame for his groundbreaking contributions to the Plastics Industry.
2017
Collaborative Approach
Placon opens its Design Center of Excellence at its headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin.Placon opens its Design Center of Excellence at its headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin.
2018
Award Winning
Placon wins two Gold Awards at the Society of Plastics Engineers’ Thermoforming Conference.
2018
Medical Market Expansion
Placon adds Class 8 cleanroom in Elkhart, Indiana manufacturing facility to support continued medical market growth.
2019
Excellence in Design
Placon is recognized by IoPP and receives three Ameristar and WorldStar awards.
2020s
- 2020: COVID-19 Support
- 2020: Award-Winning Medical Packaging
- 2020: A World’s First
- 2021: Award-Winning Medical Packaging
- 2021: Lamination Capability
- 2021: Medical Center of Excellence
- 2022: AmeriStar Winner
- 2022: PCR Certifications
- 2023: More Recognition
- 2024: The Streak Continues
- 2024: Leader in Sustainability
2020
COVID-19 Support
Placon ships over 15 million PPE plastic face shield components in response to COVID-19 to support healthcare workers and emergency responders.
2021
Award-Winning Medical Packaging
Placon is awarded the WorldStar award in the Medical and Pharmaceutical category for the second consecutive year (2020 & 2021) for their custom medical packaging solution.
2020
A World’s First
Placon launches OxyStar™, the world’s first thermoform PET barrier material with a #1 resin code. The #1 resin code means all packaging made using OxyStar barrier material can be recycled.
2021
Award-Winning Medical Packaging
Placon is awarded the WorldStar award in the Medical and Pharmaceutical category for the second consecutive year (2020 & 2021) for their custom medical packaging solution.
2021
Lamination Capability
Placon adds laminated sheet to their rollstock, with two types of barrier materials.
2021
Medical Center of Excellence
Placon doubles Elkhart, Indiana facility with grand expansion featuring state of the art equipment, workspaces, and collaboration center.
2021
AmeriStar Winner
Placon doubles Elkhart, Indiana facility with grand expansion featuring state of the art equipment, workspaces, and collaboration center.
2022
PCR Certifications
Receives SCS Global Services 3rd party certification on 100% post-consumer recycled PET sheet.
2023
More Recognition
Placon wins a 2023 AmeriStar and 2024 WorldStar award for its new line of Crystal Seal Cravings tamper-evident round deli containers.
2024
The Streak Continues
Placon Wins another AmeriStar Award, this time for an innovative line of Farmer’s Fridge custom vending machine containers.
2024
Leader in Sustainability
EcoStar® 50S packaging material is introduced. The sheet, which is used in most stock and custom products, meets PCR requirements in all 50 U.S. States.
NOW
- 2025: Global Expansion
- 2025: Not Tired of Winning Yet
- 2026: 60 Years of Innovation
2025
Global Expansion
Placon expands to Costa Rica with a warehouse and distribution facility to serve medical customers in Central and South America.
2025
Not Tired of Winning Yet
For the fourth consecutive year, Placon wins an AmeriStar Award for Design Excellence for the SimplKomb 2.0 sustainable comb honey retail package.
2026
60 Years of Innovation
Placon celebrates its 60th anniversary, marking a legacy of excellence in thermoformed plastic packaging design and manufacturing.
Placon
About Us
Placon is a leading designer and manufacturer of innovative and sustainable plastic packaging for the medical, food, and consumer goods markets, and is currently ranked in the Top 20 of Plastics News’ 2025 Thermoformers Rankings.