Bemis Company
Former American manufacturer of flexible packaging and pressure-sensitive materials, acquired by Amcor in 2019.
Last updated October 17, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
Bemis Company was an American packaging-materials manufacturer whose origins lay in the nineteenth-century production of printed cotton bags. Judson Moss Bemis established the business in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1858 as the Bemis Brothers Bag Company. At a time when sacks were commonly stenciled and sewn by hand, the company developed mechanized printing and machine-sewing methods for bags used by food producers. Its first recorded order was for 200 half-barrel sacks. To persuade customers that mechanically sewn bags could meet traditional quality standards, Bemis guaranteed every bag it made. The business expanded through additional manufacturing locations and became a substantial North American bag producer. Judson’s brother, Stephen A. Bemis, joined the enterprise in 1867 after returning from the gold rush. A second plant opened in Minneapolis in 1880, followed by a facility in Omaha in 1888. Further plants were established in cities including New Orleans, Superior, San Francisco, Indianapolis, Memphis, Kansas City, Seattle, Wichita, and Winnipeg. During the early twentieth century, Bemis broadened from cotton sacks into paper-bag manufacturing. Over time, Bemis evolved from a traditional bag maker into a diversified packaging company. Its product scope came to include flexible films, printed packaging, retort packaging for shelf-stable foods, self-venting cook-in-bag formats, vacuum packaging for meat products, and puncture-resistant sterile packaging for medical uses. The company also produced pressure-sensitive materials and adhesive-related products used in areas such as graphic arts, digital imaging, assembly engineering, communications, and medical applications. Packaging served food, medical, pharmaceutical, chemical, and agribusiness customers, with food representing the largest end market. Bemis operated divisions and facilities in 12 countries, while its films and adhesive materials were distributed internationally. In 2011, the company reported $5.3 billion in net sales and operated 78 facilities, according to the cited reference material. Its later development included a 2012 strategic partnership with Thin Film Electronics ASA intended to explore printed electronics on packaging lines, the 2013 acquisition of a China-based film platform, and the 2014 sale of its Paper Packaging Division to Hood Packaging Corporation. The company also maintained a distinctive historical identity through Biddy, a cat mascot associated with the original factory. The cat appeared on Bemis bags and was used to communicate the company’s promise of fair dealing through the phrase “letting the cat out of the bag.” Variations depicted Biddy with kittens or in local scenes associated with Bemis facilities. The mascot was retired in 1962. Bemis ceased to exist as an independent listed company after Amcor announced in August 2018 that it would acquire the company in an all-share transaction valued at $5.25 billion. The transaction closed on June 11, 2019, after which Bemis operations were integrated into Amcor and the former Bemis shares were delisted.
History
Bemis Company began in 1858 when Judson Moss Bemis founded the Bemis Brothers Bag Company in St. Louis, Missouri. The original business made printed cotton bags for food products. Its early manufacturing methods were notable because the company printed and machine-sewed bags, replacing processes that traditionally relied on stenciling and hand sewing. Bemis used an unconditional guarantee on its products to address customer concerns about the reliability of mechanically sewn sacks. The company’s first order consisted of 200 half-barrel sacks. Judson’s brother, Stephen A. Bemis, joined the enterprise in 1867. Expansion followed with a Minneapolis plant in 1880 and an Omaha plant in 1888. Additional facilities were later established in New Orleans, Superior, San Francisco, Indianapolis, Memphis, Kansas City, Seattle, Wichita, and Winnipeg. In the early 1900s, Bemis added paper-bag manufacturing, extending its activities beyond cotton packaging. The company gradually developed into a broader packaging-materials producer. Its portfolio eventually included flexible films and packaging systems for food, medical, pharmaceutical, chemical, and agribusiness applications. Food packaging became its largest business area. Specialized products included self-venting cook-in-bag packages, retort formats for shelf-stable foods, vacuum packaging for meat, and sterile, puncture-resistant medical packaging. Bemis also supplied pressure-sensitive materials and adhesive products used in graphic arts, digital imaging, assembly engineering, communications, and medical applications. Bemis operated divisions in 12 countries and distributed its films and adhesive materials internationally. The company pursued both organic and inorganic development. In 2003, a proposed sale of its Pressure Sensitive Materials Business to UPM-Kymmene was stopped after the United States Department of Justice obtained an injunction, and Bemis and UPM-Kymmene agreed to terminate the transaction. In 2012, Bemis announced a strategic partnership with Thin Film Electronics ASA, a Norwegian printed-electronics company, to investigate the use of printed electronics on existing Bemis packaging lines. Bemis acquired a China-based film platform in 2013 and sold its Paper Packaging Division to Hood Packaging Corporation in 2014. The company’s historical branding included Biddy, a cat associated with the first factory and printed on Bemis bags. The mascot represented the company’s stated commitment to fair dealing through the idea of “letting the cat out of the bag.” Different plants used localized versions of the character, including depictions with kittens, bagpipes, baseball equipment, or an umbrella. Biddy was retired in 1962. By 2011, Bemis reported $5.3 billion in net sales and 78 facilities in 12 countries. In August 2018, Amcor announced its intention to acquire Bemis in a share-based transaction valued at $5.25 billion. The deal closed on June 11, 2019. Bemis’s operations were merged into Amcor, ending Bemis’s existence as an independent public company and leading to the delisting of its shares.
- 2019
Bemis is acquired and integrated into Amcor
[1]Amcor completes the acquisition on June 11, 2019, after which Bemis operations are merged into Amcor.
- 2018
Amcor announces acquisition
[1]Amcor announces an all-share acquisition of Bemis valued at $5.25 billion.
- 2014
Paper Packaging Division sold
[1]Bemis sells its Paper Packaging Division to Hood Packaging Corporation.
- 2013
China-based film platform acquired
[1]Bemis expands its film capabilities through an acquisition in China.
- 2012
Printed-electronics partnership announced
[1]Bemis partners with Thin Film Electronics ASA to explore printed electronics for packaging lines.
- 2003
Pressure-sensitive materials sale is terminated
[1]Bemis and UPM-Kymmene terminate a proposed transaction after a United States Department of Justice injunction.
- 1962
Biddy mascot is retired
[1]Bemis retires Biddy, the cat mascot used on its bags and in plant-specific branding.
- 1900
Expansion into paper bags
[1]In the early twentieth century, Bemis opens its first paper-bag manufacturing plant.
- 1888
Omaha plant opens
[1]The company opens a third plant in Omaha, Nebraska.
- 1880
Minneapolis plant opens
[1]Bemis opens a second plant in Minneapolis as its manufacturing footprint expands.
Products and positioning
A global packaging-materials supplier focused on flexible packaging, specialized food formats, medical packaging, and pressure-sensitive materials.
Food packaging
Flexible food packaging
Bemis produced flexible films and finished packaging formats for food manufacturers. Its portfolio included packaging designed for cooking, shelf stability, protection from puncture, and preservation of meat and other food products. Food was the company’s largest end market, accounting for more than two-thirds of its packaging activity in the cited 2011 description.
Shelf-stable food packaging
Retort packaging
Retort packaging was designed for products that undergo processing to achieve shelf stability. Bemis supplied flexible retort formats as part of its broader food-packaging portfolio, serving manufacturers that required packaging capable of supporting processed, shelf-stable products.
Food packaging
Cook-in-bag packaging
Bemis made self-venting cook-in-bag packaging for food applications. These flexible formats were intended to allow food to be cooked in the package while managing steam or ventilation requirements, combining convenience with the protective functions of flexible packaging.
Meat packaging
Vacuum packaging
Bemis supplied vacuum-packaging materials for meat products. These products formed part of its food-packaging activities and were intended to help protect packaged goods by reducing air exposure within the package.
Healthcare packaging
Medical packaging
The company produced puncture-resistant and sterile packaging materials for medical applications. This business served healthcare and pharmaceutical customers requiring packaging performance beyond ordinary consumer food formats.
Industrial materials
Pressure-sensitive materials
Bemis manufactured pressure-sensitive materials and related adhesive products. These materials were used in graphic arts, digital imaging, assembly engineering, communications, and medical applications. A proposed sale of this business to UPM-Kymmene was blocked by a Department of Justice injunction in 2003.
Paper packaging
Paper bags
Paper bags were an important historical extension of Bemis’s original cotton-bag business. The company opened its first paper-bag manufacturing plant in the early 1900s, although its Paper Packaging Division was later sold to Hood Packaging Corporation in 2014.
Brand decisions
2019
Complete merger into AmcorM&ABackground
Amcor’s acquisition of Bemis reached closing after the transaction was announced in 2018.
Action taken
The acquisition completed on June 11, 2019, and Bemis operations were merged into Amcor.
Aftermath
Bemis ceased operating as an independent company and its shares were delisted.
2018
Agree to acquisition by AmcorM&ABackground
Amcor announced a plan to acquire Bemis and combine two major packaging businesses.
Action taken
Bemis agreed to an all-share acquisition by Amcor valued at $5.25 billion.
Aftermath
The transaction closed in 2019 and led to the integration of Bemis operations into Amcor.
announced transaction value. $5.25 billion (August 2018 announcement)
2014
Sell Paper Packaging Division to Hood PackagingStrategyBackground
Bemis adjusted its business portfolio by divesting its paper-packaging activities.
Action taken
Bemis sold its Paper Packaging Division to Hood Packaging Corporation.
Aftermath
Bemis retained its broader flexible-packaging and materials activities while the paper division moved to Hood Packaging.
2013
Acquire a China-based film platformM&ABackground
Bemis pursued expansion of its film capabilities and presence in the Chinese market.
Action taken
The company acquired a China-based film platform.
Aftermath
The acquisition expanded Bemis’s film operations, although the cited material does not provide further transaction details.
2012
Partner with Thin Film Electronics on printed packaging electronicsStrategyBackground
Bemis sought to explore emerging printed-electronics applications that could be incorporated into existing packaging production lines.
Action taken
The company announced a strategic partnership with Norwegian printed-electronics company Thin Film Electronics ASA.
Aftermath
The partnership was intended to bring printed electronics to Bemis packaging lines; the cited material does not describe a later commercial outcome.
2003
Terminate proposed sale of Pressure Sensitive Materials BusinessM&ABackground
Bemis had agreed with UPM-Kymmene to sell its Pressure Sensitive Materials Business, but the United States Department of Justice obtained an injunction blocking the transaction.
Action taken
Bemis and UPM-Kymmene agreed to terminate the proposed sale on July 25, 2003.
Aftermath
The business did not transfer to UPM-Kymmene under the proposed transaction.
Recent events
- 2019
Amcor completes Bemis acquisition[1]
M&A · Leadership change
The Amcor acquisition closed on June 11, 2019. Bemis operations were subsequently merged into Amcor and Bemis was no longer an independent listed company.
- 2018
Amcor announces acquisition of Bemis[1]
M&A
Amcor announced an agreement to acquire Bemis in an all-share transaction valued at $5.25 billion.
- 2014
Bemis sells Paper Packaging Division to Hood Packaging[1]
M&A
Bemis divested its Paper Packaging Division to Hood Packaging Corporation as part of its portfolio development.
- 2013
Bemis acquires a China-based film platform[1]
M&A
Bemis expanded its film operations in China through an acquisition described in the reference material as a China-based film platform.
- 2012
Bemis announces printed-electronics partnership with Thin Film Electronics[1]
Other · Product launch
Bemis announced a strategic partnership with Norwegian printed-electronics company Thin Film Electronics ASA to explore bringing printed electronics to existing Bemis packaging production lines.
- 2003
Bemis and UPM-Kymmene terminate pressure-sensitive materials transaction[1]
Regulation · M&A
Bemis Company and UPM-Kymmene agreed to terminate a proposed sale of Bemis’s Pressure Sensitive Materials Business after the United States Department of Justice obtained an injunction blocking the transaction.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/bemis-company · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled