New ownership is bringing new business and jobs to Lawrence’s Packerware Corp.

The Lawrence manufacturer of plastic cups and other houseware items is adding 22 employees to its work force to accommodate an expected increase in business in 2003.

Plant manager Joel Plaas said the new ownership of PackerWare’s parent company, Berry Plastics, has decided to shift some work from other Berry facilities to Lawrence.

Plaas, who took over as the plant’s manager in August, said the new jobs were a sign that the Lawrence plant continues to be an important part of Berry’s operations after the company was sold earlier this year.

“The Lawrence plant is every bit as important in the company’s new strategy as it was before,” Plaas said. “The old ownership was outstanding, and the new ownership seems to be even better.”

In July, Berry was purchased by GS Capital Partners 2000, a private equity investment fund managed by New York-based Goldman, Sachs & Co. Berry previously was owned by First Atlantic Capital, a smaller New York investment fund.

The new jobs will be in the plant’s printing department, which prints logos, brand names, slogans and other words and images on cups, pitchers and other houseware items.

Kevin Woods, human resources manager, said about 80 percent of the positions already have been filled. He said the positions, which mainly would be printing technicians and printing assistants, would pay in the $12- to $18-an-hour range, plus benefits.

Lawrence's Packerware Corp. is adding 22 employees to its work force to accommodate an expected increase in business. The company produces plastic cups, such as the Twist and Go that Nathan Emmons holds in January 2000, and other houseware items. Company officials say the new jobs will be in the plant's printing department.

The jobs will increase the plant’s work force to about 425 employees. Woods said the plant had been able to keep its work force levels steady despite the slowing economy. He said he thought the company has been able to avoid some of the hardships of the national recession because the company’s products, like plastic cups, aren’t heavily affected by the ups and downs of the economy.

“We’re not recession-proof, but when the economy goes south, people go to Wal-Mart even more, and they are one of our biggest customers,” Woods said. “And people are still going to convenience stores buying those drink cups, and that’s a big part of our business, too.”

Plaas agreed the company had fared reasonably well during the economic slowdown.

“We’re not about to say it was a good year, but it wasn’t a bad year either,” Plaas said. “And we’re seeing good growth for the future.”

According to financial statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company thus far in 2002 has improved its business.

Through June, Berry’s net sales increased to $250.9 million, up from $241.0 million during the same period in 2001.

Net income increased to $9.9 million compared to $2.9 million for the same period a year ago. Company officials have not yet filed reports for the third quarter which ended in September.

Plaas replaced Ken Meissbach as plant manager. Meissbach remains with the company in a new management position at the Lawrence facility.