Think about the last time you ordered takeout from your favorite restaurant. Chances are, you gave plenty of thought to the food but not the container it came in.

Yet behind that everyday product is a sophisticated manufacturing process and a team of skilled employees, right here in North Carolina.

That was the focus of the NC Chamber’s 2026 Manufacturing Tour stop at Genpak’s Charlotte facility, where business leaders, elected officials, and the NC Chamber team got an inside look at the people and technology behind the foodservice packaging used by restaurants across the country.

For more than 50 years, Genpak has manufactured packaging solutions to meet the evolving needs of restaurants and foodservice operators. Today, the company is a leading North American manufacturer of durable containers designed for takeout and delivery for restaurants, convenience stores, institutions and grocery stores

Continuous Innovation Behind an Everyday Product

At Genpak’s Charlotte facility, the process begins  with polypropylene resin, a plastic material that is extruded, thermoformed into containers, and trimmed into its final shape. The manufacturing process is designed for efficiency, with nearly all production material scrap recovered and reused in-house to minimize waste.

Technology also plays a critical role throughout the facility. Computer models monitor equipment, product quality, and key production processes, while automation and robotics help improve efficiency and employee safety.

Innovation at Genpak begins long before a container reaches the production line. Eric Showmaker, who leads product management, sustainability, product design, and product quality, described how the company works closely with customers to develop packaging solutions that meet their needs.

The design process includes testing how food looks, fits, and performs in a prototype before the item reaches the market. It’s an approach that reflects the important role of innovation in modern manufacturing, even for products consumers may rarely think twice about.

But behind the technology are the people who make it work. Jalon Powell, a lead operator who has worked at Genpak for six years, says the company’s supportive culture is one of the things he values most about his job.

“It is the people here, the culture, I really love it,” Powell said. “We look out and work for one another. There’s help around every corner, wherever you may need it.”

Corporate Trainer Anna Gaddy has experienced that supportive culture firsthand. As she continues to grow in her role, she credits colleagues from across the company for helping her learn about the manufacturing process and understand what makes Genpak’s workplace culture special. That willingness to share knowledge and support one another is particularly meaningful for someone whose job is helping others learn and succeed.

Commitment to Sustainability

Genpak’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond its own production line. As a member of the Foam Recycling Coalition, the company actively supports recycling expansion opportunities for food service packaging. In 2023, the coalition awarded Mecklenburg County a $50,000 grant to expand foam recycling at its four full-service recycling centers. The program creates opportunities for used packaging to be recycled into new products such as architectural moldings and picture frames.

The People Who Make North Carolina Manufacturing Strong

For North Carolina’s business community, the NC Manufacturing Tour is about more than seeing how products are made. It’s an opportunity to meet the people behind them and showcase the rewarding careers available across North Carolina’s dynamic manufacturing industry.

“The NC Chamber Manufacturing Tour is about meeting the people that are making the things that make North Carolina great. As we say at the NC Chamber, what’s made in North Carolina makes North Carolina,” said NC Chamber President and CEO Gary Salamido.

“Manufacturing tours are about careers,” he added. “The people and innovation at Genpak are a great example of the opportunities that lie ahead for young people in manufacturing.”

From advanced technology and thoughtful product design to the employees who keep production moving, Genpak is a reminder of the innovative work happening in manufacturing facilities North Carolina our state.

And the next time you pick up a takeout order, you might just think a little differently about the container that brings your food home.