In communities like Story City, advanced manufacturing doesn’t always announce itself with fanfare. Oftentimes, it is found in the everyday moments of life like in the crinkle of a snack bag, the tear of a salad kit, or the resealable pouch of pet treats pulled from a pantry shelf.
At the center of many of those moments is American Packaging Corporation (APC), whose Story City facility serves as a Center of Excellence for flexible packaging and a powerful economic engine for central Iowa.
Delighting the Brands You Enjoy
American Packaging’s work is both highly technical and surprisingly familiar. The company partners with brand owners ranging from multinational consumer packaged goods companies to emerging boutique brands. While APC’s name may not be on the front of the package, its expertise is often wrapped around the products families use every day.
When you open a fresh salad kit, APC may have produced that bag. When you reach for your favorite snack or candy, APC may have engineered the pouch or wrapper. When you scoop food for your dog or cat, there’s a good chance the durable, high-performance pouch was manufactured in Story City.
The facility produces packaging found in nearly every grocery aisle, from snacks, confections, baking mixes, refrigerated and frozen foods, health and personal care products, and pet food. Its capabilities include advanced flexographic printing, laminating, coating, and pouch and bag forming. These are state-of-the-art technologies that ensure packaging not only protects products but also promotes brands on crowded retail shelves.
It’s a formula that has earned industry recognition, including awards from the Flexible Packaging Association, and has fueled steady sales growth and expansion.
An Unprecedented Investment in Growth
That growth is accelerating. APC’s latest investment in Story City, a nearly $8 million expansion, underscores both market demand and the company’s long-term commitment to the region.
The project includes a 20,000-square-foot addition to the facility, new state-of-the-art pouching equipment, and the creation of 25 new jobs. Construction began in October 2025 and is expected to be completed by fall 2026. The expansion will increase capacity for pouches and bags serving high-growth categories such as pet food, baking mixes and ingredients, lawn and garden, home care products, and more.
Supported through partnerships with the City of Story City and the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s High Quality Jobs program, the project represents more than just square footage. It reflects a strategic investment in new capabilities, advanced product technologies, and people.
“This expansion is about positioning Story City for the future,” says Plant Manager Alex Durlam. “We’re investing in equipment and technology, but just as importantly, we’re investing in our APC family members. Our success has always been built on the people who walk through these doors every day.”
Leadership Rooted in Experience
Durlam’s perspective is shaped by 16 years with American Packaging; a career that has spanned nearly every corner of the operation. He has served as Printing Manager, Ink Department Manager, Finishing Department Manager, Quality Assurance Manager, and Process Engineer before stepping into the plant manager role.
That progression gives him a rare, end-to-end understanding of the manufacturing process.
“Having worked in so many departments, I’ve seen how every detail matters,” Durlam says. “From ink formulation to quality assurance to finishing, each step impacts the final product our customers rely on. That experience helps us collaborate better and solve challenges faster.”
He credits the company’s culture of teamwork and continuous improvement for enabling both personal advancement and plant-wide performance.
“There’s a real sense that we’re one team,” he says. “When something needs to be done, people step up. That culture of excellence is what allows us to compete nationally while operating right here in Story City.”
Family Ownership, Community Impact
Founded more than 120 years ago, American Packaging remains a family-owned business with a long-term outlook. Employees are often referred to as part of the “APC family,” a reflection of a culture that prioritizes safety, professional development, and advancement.
That family mindset extends beyond the plant walls. APC is an active community partner throughout central Iowa, supporting scholarships, local sports teams, community programs, and philanthropic organizations. Its expansion amplifies that impact, adding jobs, increasing payroll, and strengthening the regional supply chain.
For Story City and the surrounding counties, the economic ripple effect is significant. The facility’s advanced manufacturing capabilities attract national brands, generate capital investment, and reinforce the region’s reputation as a hub for high-quality production.
“This isn’t just growth for our company,” Durlam says. “It’s growth for the community. We’re proud to create opportunities here and careers that people can build a future around.”
A Center of Excellence in Central Iowa
As construction progresses and new equipment arrives, the Story City facility continues operating at full capacity; printing, laminating, coating, and forming the packaging that protects and promotes products across the country.
It’s a reminder that advanced manufacturing in central Iowa doesn’t just serve local markets; it touches households nationwide.
And for American Packaging Corporation, the story is still unfolding one pouch, one partnership, and one investment at a time.
Learn more about American Packaging Corporation on their website.