Brotzki, Masingill, and Smith acquire Schneider Packaging

BREWERTON — Three top executives at Schneider Packaging Equipment Co. have bought the business from the Schneider family.

President Bob Brotzki, Executive VP Greg Masingill, and VP of Engineering and Services Mike Smith closed on the acquisition June 22. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The 130-employee company on Guy Young Road in Brewerton designs and builds packaging equipment, the machines that turn cardboard flats into boxes full of products. Workers in the company’s two buildings weld together metal and integrate components to create the machinery that helps keep products moving through modern factories. Customers include some of the largest names in consumer goods as well as lesser-known companies. “Food, beverages and pharmaceuticals are our top three,” Brotzki says.

Schneider Packaging was founded by Dick Schneider in 1970. His son, Rick Schneider, served as president until August 2017 when Brotzki was given the title. 

“It was desirable for all of us,” Brotzki says of the purchase agreement. “Rick is approaching retirement age and is very loyal to his employees, the community and our customers.” For those reasons, he says, it made sense to sell the company to those who were already leading it.

The company name will not change and Rick Schneider will remain with Schneider Packaging as a special consultant to the engineering department.

Brotzki, who joined the company in 2016, admits he wasn’t hired for his knowledge of the packaging-equipment business. He played football at Syracuse University and had an NFL career as offensive lineman for the Indianapolis Colts and Dallas Cowboys. He also worked for Yellow Freight for three years. He came to Schneider Packaging from Syracuse University, where he had returned to work in player development.

Brotzki says buying the company was not part of his plan when he came aboard two years ago. “It just happened,” he quips.

The company has enjoyed rapid sales growth recently. It reports that sales rose 90 percent in 2017, reaching more than $22 million. 

This year, sales are on track to increase another 16 percent and Brotzki says he doesn’t see any reason that can’t continue. He believes that automation equipment of the type the company makes — the average piece of equipment costs $350,000 — will only become more critical as businesses seek to reduce the physical demands on their workers.