Badger Plug marks 75th anniversary

In the early 1900s, the paper industry blossomed along the banks of the Fox River in Northeastern Wisconsin. That industrial revolution spawned the establishment of many close-by related suppliers. Badger Plug Company was one of those firms. In 1931, Badger Plug started manufacturing wood core plugs in a small brick building situated on the banks of the Fox River in the city of Appleton. Like the paper mills, Badger Plug tapped the power of the river to drive its industrial machinery. In this case, the machinery turned birch logs into precision core plugs.  

Wood core plugs were used then just like they are today – to keep cores of large paper rolls from crushing. While many mills in Wisconsin quickly became Badger Plug customers, other mills throughout the country had similar needs. Badger responded with increased production and wider distribution.

While the paper industry remained the primary customer base for many years, Badger Plug continued to develop new products for the expanding diversification of its customer base. In 1955, metal core plugs were added to the product line. Plastic core plugs were introduced in 1972.

By the 1990s, the company’s focus had evolved far beyond just core plugs. Badger continued to engineer and produce numerous solutions to suspend and protect roll products of all kinds.

Today, wood and metal plugs are still integral parts of Badger’s product line. However, the greatest product diversity now is evident in the plastic line. A wide variety of plastic core plugs protect center cores from crushing. One-piece plastic pad plugs suspend small to medium sized rolls. Large rolls can now be safely suspended using plastic sleeve plugs with wood endboards, all produced by Badger Plug.

Additional products now include spool components, tube closures, steel and aluminum coil packaging products, wood fabrications and custom manufacturing. Badger Plug also offers a unique recycling service for various packaging products. Now select plastic, metal, and wood components can be recycled for re-use instead of being added to the packaging waste stream.

Dan Voissem, Badger Plug president and third-generation owner, said: ‘For the last 75 years, the highest standards in quality, service and innovation have been the cornerstones to Badger Plug’s success. Looking forward, our game plan remains unchanged. Badger Plug strives to provide the best ideas in roll protection to customers worldwide.’

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