PMMI Inducts Founders of Automated Packaging Systems into Hall of Fame

As Automated Packaging Systems celebrates its 50th year in business, its founders, Hershey Lerner and Bernie Lerner, are being inducted into the 2012 PMMI Packaging Hall of Fame. Inventors of the pre-opened bag-on-a-roll system called Autobag, the brothers have built a global corporation offering Autobag, SidePouch, and AirPouch bag and protective packaging products. The company makes more than 50 different materials at nine manufacturing facilities across the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Hershey and Bernie Lerner will be inducted into the Packaging Hall of Fame October 30 at PACK EXPO International. The Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI) stated in a press release: “Induction into the Packaging Hall of Fame is the highest honor a packaging professional can receive and recognizes career-long contributions to the advancement and understanding of packaging.”

The Lerner brothers hold most of the company’s 132 U.S. patents. Art Gould, an original partner, was the company’s first salesperson and helped grow the sales organization throughout the company’s history. All three partners recently attended a 50th Anniversary Celebration in Streetsboro, OH.

Cliff Brehm, President and Chief Operating Officer, Automated Packaging Systems, stated in the press release: “Hershey, Bernie, and Art had the vision to create an innovative organization that has withstood the test of time. They laid the foundation and instilled core values that created a very special culture, widely recognized as an elite company to work for and to do business with.”

The Lerner brothers are still active in the business today.