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That shift has opened new opportunities for Churchill Container( Churchill), a familyowned manufacturer that’ s spent over 40 years creating custom plastic drinkware and foodservice products. But the company’ s ambitions go beyond manufacturing. Today, Churchill sits at the crossroads of foodservice, entertainment, sports, and sustainability, turning cups, buckets, and containers into true brand extensions.

Erik Johnson, Product Director, oversees design, product strategy, and licensing. His role puts him right at the intersection of consumer trends, venue operations, and product innovation. He joined Churchill in 2007 after building a career in illustration and design; a creative background that still shapes how the company approaches product development.“ Churchill started in 1980 in Shawnee, Kansas, making and decorating plastic cups and containers for bars and restaurants. By the early 2000s, we were one of just a few established players providing collectible cups for c-stores, quick-service restaurant chains, movie theaters, and sports stadiums. Throughout the 2010s and early 2020s, we became a market leader, designing and running collector cup programs for some of the biggest events in the US,” Erik shares.

That journey has given Churchill a frontrow seat to how consumers have evolved. Erik sees real opportunity in products that genuinely stand out on the table.“ What really sets us apart is our approach to design and our commitment to elevating the guest

IN IML

FOOD | NON-FOOD | MEDICAL In-Mold Labeling

Competition for consumers in the food industry is intense, making packaging a critical tool for differentiating products and building brand recognition.

In-mold labeling( IML) combines premium package decoration with efficient production by integrating the label directly into the molding process. The result is durable, high-quality graphics, precise food labeling, and a more sustainable packaging solution.

We thank Churchill Container for a decade of partnership, and congratulations on their continued growth and success.

Food packaging is one of the largest application areas for Beck Automation’ s IML systems, from multi-liter pails to yogurt cups, coffee capsules or stadium cups. Whatever the package size, our systems deliver consistent, high-quality label placement with maximum production efficiency.

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