About
Mall City Containers is a corrugated sheet plant that produces a variety of packaging solutions to its customers, be it industrial brown box packaging, labeled or printed packaging, Point-of-Purchase displays, or specialty packs and partitions.
Just as important as what we do is how we do it. Mall City Containers is a company committed to meeting and exceeding your packaging needs and we accomplish this through our positive customer relationships, strong commitments to consistent quality, technological upgrades, and a well- trained and devoted staff. Learn about our company and how we intend to help you and your business.
Our History
In 1970, Mead Paper Company asked MCC founder, Ben Boersma, to serve as sales/plant manager for their corrugated sheet plant in Kalamazoo, MI. When Mead made the decision to get out of the corrugated industry, Ben put together a team of friends and investors to start up Mall City Containers in 1974. When the opportunity arose in 1980, Mall City Containers acquired a larger facility on N. Pitcher St., purchasing a former Upjohn warehouse from the City of Kalamazoo. The building was quickly modified into a full-functioning corrugated sheet plant. Utilizing the 120,000 square feet, over the years we have added and improved our machinery to allow us to efficiently manufacture our customer’s packaging under one roof.
Our customers are enthusiastic about Mall City Containers' growth in machine capabilities, quality and service. Specialty designs, point-of-purchase merchandising, and a desire to tackle the tough design jobs became more of a company focus. A large format labeling machine had been added along with steady growth in multi-color printing. Mall City Containers added a specialty gluer manufactured by J & L and it was replaced and upgraded recently. This capability/machine has been an important addition to the equipment which allows Mall City Containers to offer its customers unique and cost effective packaging.
Mall City Containers made its single biggest equipment investment in a 66 x 130 graphics rotary die cutter. Over the last several years, we have added and improved the capabilities of our printing with recent generations of plate cleaners added for cleaner print. This investment continued to propel Mall City Containers as a leader in its market for direct print graphics. Mall City Containers’ investment in excellent equipment continues to solidify its reputation as a company committed to meeting its customers' needs through investment in industry leading technology.
Throughout its history, Mall City Containers has been a company of steady, solid growth and one that has excelled in meeting and exceeding its customers' expectations. We look forward to growing and changing in the future as our commitment to our customers, industry, and community continues.
Mall City Containers was acquired by Opus Packaging Group on September 1, 2021. We are still the same company with the same values, but with a wider reach!
Learn More
Our Core Values
Integrity Matters
- Trust is a key characteristic in the relationships we form with each other and with those who are influenced by our business
- With trust, we expect to communicate openly and comfortably
- No piece of business is worth someone thinking we do not have integrity – Do things right!
Customer First
- Our hourly activity is driven by the needs of our customers – Always!
- While we work toward consistent hours, we give extra when it matters to the customer
- Referrals from our customers are a significant part of our growth – give them a reason to love us!
- Customers need to experience that we are the easiest company to work with
Be a Team Player
- Flexibility and a helpful heart are keys to our success
- Share good ideas with each other
- Be the first to say “Yes! How can I help?"
- Be open to change – that is a major component to improving
Fun ~ In Life and Work
- Laughter with each other is encouraged in good taste
- Creating genuine friendships that go beyond working together
- Serious work combined with serious fun is the desired combination
- A successful and positive work life boosts a happy home life
Our Staff
Gary Koster
Gary joined Mall City in 1984 as a sales representative. While continuing with a sales presence, he moved into management and after serving as General Manager, became President in 2007. Still with a strong desire for providing the best in taking care of both customers and employees, he leads day to day operations and the financial direction of this 100% employee owned business.
Gary and his wife Lorrie enjoy living in Kalamazoo. Their kids both live in the Grand Rapids area. Gary and Lorrie enjoy lots of time boating on Michigan lakes, golfing, pickleball and spending time with friends.
Sheryl Garlick
Sheryl started part-time at Mall City in 1993 doing administrative tasks and eventually moved into the Administrative Assistant role. When an opportunity came up in 2003, she moved into a sales position, covering a portion of Grand Rapids and the lakeshore. Eventually, Mall City realized the need for an Administrative Manager and Sheryl moved into that role in 2006. Sheryl wears "many hats", some of which include HR, payroll policies, overseeing accounting functions, and customer service.
In her spare time, Sheryl and her husband Kris enjoy spending time with grandchildren, traveling to various locations around the United States (especially when it involves hiking), hanging out with friends at Pine Lake (Plainwell), and playing pickleball as often as possible!
Jeff Corstange
Jeff joined the team at Mall City Containers in 2015 as the Production Scheduler – it was a great way to get to know the corrugated world after working in the medical field for 12 years. He became the Production Manager at the end of 2019 and holds a strong commitment to both customers and his fellow associates here at Mall City. Jeff is focused on making a great “TEAM” atmosphere here at Mall City – as our Core Values reflect, serious work combined with serious fun is the desired combination!
Jeff and his wife Laura enjoy living in Richland. They have four amazing kids, three are at Gull Lake Community Schools and the other attends KVCC and plays on their volleyball squad - Jeff and Laura enjoy attending all the extra-curricular activities their children are involved in.
Ben Lyon
Ben joined Mall City in 1987 as a production associate and quickly took on the role of as second shift supervisor. In the early 2000’s, he took over as the Quality Assurance Director - that role has evolved as technology has improved. With a passion for process improvement Ben is continually working to create a more efficient Quality and Safety program.
Ben is a lifelong resident of the Kalamazoo area. He and his wife Renee have been blessed with two children, Cale and Lilly; they reside in his childhood home just south of Plainwell. Ben serves as a Deacon at his church and served for many years as a youth leader. He feels blessed to be able to combine his passion for bowling, skiing, golf and travel into many fun family vacations including ski trips as far west as Utah and north to Canada, plus some warm weather destinations during the winter months.
Rod Altom
Rod has been with Mall City for 28 years. He started as a truck driver, then moved to shipping before taking a position in customer service which eventually led him to his current position of Customer Service Manager. Rod’s goal is always been to put the customer first with a “no problem, we will take care of it for you” response.
Rod and his wife Karen live in Portage, MI. He enjoys golfing along with spending time with family, grandkids and friends.