Pack Edge opens new facility in Saco

 Pack Edge celebrated its new Saco facility last week with a ribbon cutting.

The ceremony, coordinated with Northland Enterprises development company, was held Nov. 20 at the new Pack Edge building at 955 Portland Road (Route One).

Pack Edge manufactures boxes, containers and other products used for shipping a range of items. Pack Edge also makes gel packs used to keep perishable items at a safe temperature.

Jim Freeman founded Pack Edge in 1988 in South Portland, and the company has moved several times since then as it continued to grow. In 2019 the company became 100 percent employee owned, said Freeman.

In 2020, during the COVID pandemic, business boomed at Pack Edge as demand for directly-shipped lobster and other items increased, said Freeman. The company wanted to move to a new location that could accommodate the growing market, and it chose the Saco Route One location.

“We wanted to find a home that was a permanent home for the next generation, and we’re really excited to move to Saco,” said Freeman.

The manufacturing facility is 49,000 square-feet. A mezzanine inside can be used to create more office in space in the future, if need be, and there is also room for a 12,000 square foot expansion if necessary.

Josh Bethien, CEO of Northland Enterprises, said the 955 Portland Road property is located within an opportunity zone. An opportunity zone is a federal designation that encourages investment. He also said the City of Saco was on board with their vision for the property.

“I want to recognize the old adage that the key to any successful real estate project is ‘location, location, location,” said Bethien.

Saco Bay News Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.