Our Story
Founded in 1964, family members Bud Thoen, Vern Anderson, and Paul Anderson hoped that one day their machine shop in Alexandria, MN, could provide jobs for a handful of people in their local community…
…Their vision grew.
Now proudly owned and operated by 700+ employee owners, Douglas continues to define itself as a leader in the automated secondary packaging industry. At the forefront of innovation, we design and manufacture secondary packaging solutions to meet the needs of CPG producers around the world.
annual R&D investment
employee owners
years of innovation and growth
employee owned
WHO WE ARE
Delivering Secondary Packaging Solutions & Services
Drawing from 60+ years of experience, Douglas provides automated secondary packaging solutions for paperboard, corrugate, and shrink film. We specialize in the design and manufacturing of case and tray packers, shrink wrap systems, cartoners and sleevers while dedicating service programs and field support to the lifetime of our equipment.
Customer Driven
Continuously innovating new and better ways to serve and support CPG producers, we offer variety pack systems, sustainable beverage packaging, ergonomic magazine loading, and a tablet-based knowledge and support center.
Employee Owned
We don’t just work at our company, we own it. Since 2000, Douglas has been 100% employee owned, driving our team toward more friendly and responsive attitudes, more dedication to quality, and more uncompromising support to our customers and each other.
Our History
From the very beginning, a deep appreciation for the customers’ ongoing trust has driven Douglas to be a great supplier with values based upon respect. Scroll to explore over 60 years of our company history.
1964
Formation of Douglas Machine
With courage, motivation, and a $5 sale, Bud Thoen founds Douglas Machine.
1966
First sale to Curtis Candy Company
Bud’s cousin Vern Anderson joins the business and the company sells its first machine to Curtis Candy Company for $6,476. Douglas officially becomes Douglas Machine Corporation.
1969
Construction begins on new facility
Vern’s brother Paul Anderson joins as a silent partner. More space for bigger machines is needed and ground is broken for a new 12,760-square-foot facility.
1972
Douglas Finishing is launched
Douglas Finishing is launched, producing precision anodizing, electroplating and powder coating services for major OEMs and quality-focused job shops in diverse industries.
1974
Further facility expansion
Another 12,500 square feet are added to accommodate increasing machine sales and the growing number of new employees.
1978
New products introduced
To meet rising demands, the product line expands to include case packers, tray packers, box formers, and inserters.
1984
1,000th machine sold
The 1,000th machine is sold to the Coca-Cola Company in New York to package non-returnable plastic bottles. Douglas transitions from drafting table design to computer-aided design.
1986
Acquired by APV/PLC
The company becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of APV/PLC in London, England.
1993
Return to original ownership
Vern and Paul Anderson buy back the company from APV/PLC, and the company becomes Douglas Machine, LLC.
1996-1999
New acquisitions
Douglas acquires controlling interest in Davis Engineering and Dimension Industries, Inc.
2000
Douglas becomes 100% employee owned
The company becomes Douglas Machine Inc. and is 100% employee owned.
2002
Douglas receives Governor’s International Trade Award
Douglas receives the 2002 Governor’s International Trade Award for contributions to Minnesota’s success in global markets.
2003 – 2013
Continuous innovation of new solutions
Douglas continues to innovate new solutions, including: top load and bottom load case and tray packers, cartoners, shrink wrappers, patented technology, robotics, and retail-ready display packaging capabilities.
2007
Douglas Machine Foundation is founded
The Douglas Machine Foundation is founded to focus philanthropic resources on community needs.
2014
Douglas celebrates 50 years in business
Douglas proudly celebrates 50 years.
2014 – 2018
Further innovations and improvements
More solutions are introduced, including: SmartSelect Automatic Changeover, automatic film splicer, vertical and flat pack top loading, and IQF applications.
2018
Reaching new industries
First time exhibiting at Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo in Nashville, TN.
2018
Douglas rebrands
Douglas unveils its new logo and branding.
2018
Sister company INSITE launched
Douglas introduces INSITE, a sister company offering standardized case erectors, loaders, and sealers.
2018-2023
New product launches
New product launches include a simplified case packer, robotic collation and metering, and an expanded portfolio of shrink wrap systems and wraparound case and tray packers.
2023
Douglas receives Governor’s Safety Award
Douglas earns Governor’s Safety Award for Outstanding Achievement in Occupational Safety for fourth year in a row.
2024-2025
Development of cutting-edge technologies
Douglas develops leading-edge products: GuidePoint, a tablet-based alternative to machine guides and manuals, and LoadX, an ergonomic and safe solution to magazine loading
