Wis-Pak subsidiary purchases facilities

Tuesday, January 6, 2009 12:32 PM CST

WP Beverages LLC, a subsidiary of Wis-Pak Inc., has purchased Pepsi-Cola of Huron, S.D.

With this acquisition, WP Beverages becomes the eighth largest Pepsi-Cola franchisee in the United States, according to Kitty Knutson, director of advertising and public relations for WP Beverages.

Wis-Pak, with headquarters in Watertown, is now one of the largest cooperative companies in the soft drink industry with production facilities in six locations throughout the Midwest and Southeast, Knutson said.

Wis-Pak of Watertown currently employs over 150 people and its production equipment includes both can and bottle filling lines capable of producing eight-ounce and 12-ounce cans as well as 12-ounce, 16-ounce, 20-ounce; half liter, 1.5 liter and two liter bottles.

Current capacity is 640,000 can cases per week and 230,000 bottle cases per week, Knutson said.

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According to Knutson, Wis-Pak of Watertown supplies products to many Pepsi-Cola franchise territories including the beverages in cans and bottles on sale in Watertown area stores and restaurants.

Formed in 1969, Wis-Pak was created for the manufacture of soft drinks and has supplied beverages to its bottle owners for over 30 years.

The local Wis-Pak was recently recognized with Pepsi-Cola's prestigious Caleb Bradham Quality Award, which is named for Pepsi-Cola's founder. The award recognizes manufacturing excellence and quality.

WP Beverages was created in 2004 upon the sale of Pepsi-Cola of Madison and Pepsi-Cola of Rockford, Ill. In addition to the Wisconsin and Illinois Pepsi-Cola franchises, the company acquired Pepsi-Cola of Iron Mountain, Mich., in 2006.

Knutson said the Pepsi-Cola that was recently purchased by WP Beverages has locations in Mitchell, Huron, Chamberlain and Pierre, all in South Dakota.

WP Beverages currently employees 350 people.