Transcendia, formerly known as Transilwrap Company, Inc. was founded in 1931 and was one of the first converter/distributors of film in the plastics industry.
From the beginning, Transcendia has transcended the industry with our innovation, technology and commitment to giving customers the customized plastic films they need.
During our first decade, our product line focused on food wrap applications. During the World War II cellophane shortage, we added acetate film to our product line, followed by heavier gauge acetate sheets and rolls for the art material and screen printing markets.
The 1960s and 70s were marked by rapid expansion with new and larger facilities throughout North America. Transilwrap began manufacturing Sealtran’s first Trans-Kote® thermal laminating film line, as well as other product brands catering to the growing graphic arts market. Transilwrap emerged as a leading plastic film manufacturer, as well as the leading converter of plastic films.
In 1981, we added sheet extrusion to our portfolio, manufacturing our own high-impact polystyrene, Pro-Print® synthetic paper and Transalloy® multi-polymer alloy materials. By the 1990s, our manufacturing business was firmly established as the industry leader in extrusion coating and sheet extrusion.
Innovation has always been at our core, and this commitment was especially apparent in the 1990s. During that time we added liquid coating capabilities and pilot line development services to our portfolio. Plus, we journeyed into new and emerging applications, creating photovoltaic films for solar applications, plastic films for printed electronics applications, electric car batteries and digital print markets.
By 2009, it was time to enhance our position in the specialty films business. In support of our long-term commitment to superior quality, customer service and product innovation, Transilwrap acquired Quest Films, Inc. Two years later, we acquired Interfilm Holdings, Inc., further increasing our custom converting services, product offerings and reach into new markets.
Our upward trajectory continued in 2013, when we announced our partnership with The Jordan Company. This leading middle-market private equity firm has more than $6 billion of committed capital under management and a 30-year track record of investing and growing a wide range of companies. With their stability and support, we were able to execute our strategic plans and position ourselves for sustained, long-term growth.
The following year, Transilwrap set its sights on strategic global advancement. Our 2014 acquisition of MetPro Group expanded our presence in key global markets and enhanced our value-added product offerings. We now offer customers leading packaging technologies that offer corrosion protection during shipping and storage. Once again our reach broadened, serving customers in more than 30 countries.
In March 2015, we added our newest extrusion line. This capital expansion further supported the display advertising market with increased production capacity of graphics-grade styrene and synthetic paper solutions. Simultaneously, we acquired CLEAR FOCUS Imaging, the premier manufacturer and supplier of One Way Vision™ films. These innovative products for indoor and outdoor advertising provide our customers with an even broader line of printable plastics solutions. We also broadened our anti-corrosion and protective packaging product portfolio by acquiring Ellis Industrial Packaging, a European distributor of industrial active packaging and protective packaging systems.
In 2016 two monumental events occurred in our history. First, we acquired Dow Specialty Films and the leading brands OPTICITE®, PROCITE®, TRYCITE® and SARANEX®. Secondly, we changed our name from Transilwrap to Transcendia, transcending who we were and embracing all we have become.
Our momentum continues in 2017 with the acquisition of Marshall Plastic Film. The company brings over 40 years of experience specializing in the production of blown polyethylene films, custom bags, and anti-corrosion film. This addition broadens Transcendia’s material science expertise, industry leading service and extensive technology platform into engineered polyethylene films.
Through acquisitions—and continued plans for growth—we have expanded our technologies, market focus and products, broadened to 16 production and warehouse facilities across North America and Europe, and hired more than 100 customer-focused Process Engineers, R&D and sales professionals.
As much as we’ve changed, one thing will always remain constant. Transcendia is committed to providing customers with exceptional plastic film solutions that build their business. Stay tuned—the best is yet to come!
