TPC Packaging: A Century of Craftsmanship and Innovation
By Emily Leoncyzk, Executive Director & Vice President, Paperboard Packaging Council
Throughout my time with PPC, I have visited many PPC member plant sites, but there are some visits that stay with you long after you leave because of the impression they make.
Walking into TPC Packaging in Chattanooga, TN, felt less like entering a factory and more like entering a gallery of craftsmanship with a rich history. Every corner of the facility carried the weight of a century of expertise paired with a clear eye toward the future.
TPC is an all-inclusive supplier of folding cartons, rigid boxes, and shaped canisters for cosmetics, health and beauty, spirits, pharmaceutical, and collectable gaming industries that is celebrating its 100th year anniversary. This family–owned and operated company has not only expanded its physical footprint but also its capabilities, investments, and vision for what lies ahead.
During my visit, I spent the day with third-generation owners and siblings, Hilda Murray, Joey, Mark, and Kurt Schmissrauter. Hilda, Executive Vice President, set up every department to give me a full, behind-the-scenes look at the operation they proudly lead.
From start to finish, the Schmissrauter family’s welcoming presence, and the genuine warmth of their team, created an unmistakable sense of family that permeates the company culture. By the end of the day, one thing was undeniable: TPC’s dedication to advancing and championing our industry is woven into every aspect of their business.
A Facility Built for the Next Century
TPC recently expanded its footprint by 60,000 square feet, creating a facility of more than 200,000 square feet dedicated to growth. The new modular layout supports the group’s rapidly growing rigid box division, digital and flexo workflows, and a full suite of specialty packaging services. Over the past five years, the company has invested more than $25 million in new technologies and this facility’s expansion, paving the way for as many as 100 new jobs.
Walking through the plant, I saw everything from CAD design and pre-press to service, scheduling, and press operations. Their investment in technology is evident not only in scale but also the beauty of the products coming off the line. The rigid boxes, in particular, were breathtaking: polished, elegant, and perfectly aligned with TPC’s refreshed branding. And while I was fortunate enough to hear hints of what’s still to come (my lips are sealed), it was clear that every step TPC takes is with tomorrow in mind.
Beauty Meets Innovation
TPC’s capabilities read like a masterclass in premium packaging: recyclable metallized substrates with holographic registration, digital foil, cast and cure, lenticular effects, cold and hot foil stamping, silkscreen finishes, embossing, lamination, windowing, and more. But seeing these techniques in action was something else entirely.
In the CAD department, designers walked me through their approach to customer challenges, transforming paperboard and rigid boxes into true showstoppers. Their systems are elegant, their solutions precise, but beyond the machines and workflows, what stood out most was the people. Pride, care, and creativity were evident at every step of each project, ensuring that the final product not only meets but exceeds expectations.
Family Leadership, Future Focus
Today, TPC’s fourth generation has entered the mix. Spending time with Erich Murray and Blaes Green, I could see how their values, vision, and spirit are preparing the company for its next century. They balance carrying the Schmissrauter family legacy with innovation, growth, and collaboration.
This dual focus on respecting legacy and preparing for the future defines TPC. After a hundred years, they are still evolving, still innovating, and still finding ways to push the boundaries of what packaging can do.
The Spirit of TPC
What makes TPC unique is not just the equipment or the embellishments, but the people-first culture that underpins it all and their commitment to giving back to the community. From leaders to operators, I was greeted with smiles and genuine enthusiasm. Many of the same faces I have seen over the years, like the plant operators who joined us at PPC Next, were there, hard at work, leading their teams with pride and passion.
The new branding, both inside and outside the facility, reflects who TPC is: elegant, polished, and innovative. Just like the rigid boxes they produce, TPC shines as an example of what happens when craftsmanship meets creativity.
Looking Ahead
At 100 years strong, TPC stands not only as a packaging partner, but they are also a steward of craft and creativity. Guided by their family leadership and powered by their cutting-edge technology, TPC honors its past, while shaping its future. Their growth is purposeful, their products breathtaking, and their culture inspiring.
TPC Packaging is ready for its next hundred years, and they will do it the same way they always have, with family, innovation, and a relentless commitment to excellence.