Action Packaging Leverages Digital, Flexo Printing

Rapid ramp-ups

Action Packaging, a $15 million company, currently provides flexographic and digital printing services, as well as label application equipment (CTM Labeling and its own Gold Seal line), for food, beverage, household goods, and industrial products packaging. Even at Action's inception in 1979, it was evident that a brisk, decisive pace would characterize the company's activities. Rice relates that he "went full speed" into developing Action after, as a new college graduate, there was no opening for him to join the sales team at his father's company, Rice Packaging. After a "quick" size-up of Action's customer needs and issues, Rice first focused on offering label application equipment and establishing the company's signature "You Pick the Day" five-day scheduling window for labels. He describes his company's five-day turnaround policy "as a taxi cab," rather than "a bus route," explaining, "We will have a cab ready at all times. No need to wait for the bus." His brother Gordon Rice joined Action in 1981, to head up a new stock folding carton division acquired from Rice Packaging.