In 1978, a small automation company incorporated in Crosby with just three employees.

Today, the Graphic Packaging International facility is part of the world's number one manufacturer of beverage packaging machines.

The 114 employees at Graphic Packaging International manufacture a variety of bottle and can multi-pack beverage packaging machines which are sold throughout the world.

From engineering design to welding, fabrication, computer (CNC), electronics, paint, and assembly, the massive packaging machines are built within a 170,000 square foot manufacturing facility that's the second largest employer in Crosby.

"I'm very proud to have the unique opportunity to be a part of this story and work with such a great group of dedicated people who are building the best possible packaging machines on the market," said Matt Sundquist, general manager of the Crosby facility. "We are very fortunate to have such a highly skilled group of people who are passionate about exceeding customer expectations."

Beverage packaging machines manufactured in Crosby are sold through the United States and in France, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and other nations.

Customers include food and beverage companies, health and beauty, pharmaceutical, tobacco, household, printing, and plastics firms.

The complex machines can cost from $500,000 to $1.2 million and can take from 10 to 30 weeks to build.

In 2015, the Crosby plant will manufacture 41 machines, up from 35 last year and 17 the prior year. Thirty-two of the machines built in Crosby this year will be shipped internationally.

"Our current backlog is strong and appears it will continue well into 2016," said Sundquist. "Since we operate in so many international markets, it is difficult to forecast market demands. We are cautiously growing our workforce and facility to meet our customers' needs."

The Crosby facility is part of Graphic Packaging International (GPI).

With 70 plants and 13,000 employees, GPI is the largest folding carton manufacturer in the United States and second largest in Europe.

Along with Crosby, GPI also operates a Product Development Center for beverage packaging machinery in Atlanta, Georgia.

Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board assisted the city of Crosby with a grant to construct a retaining pond and overflow area to prevent storm water flooding at Graphic Packaging.

Pictured above: Lee Johnson, Graphic Packaging machine technician, tests a beverage packaging machine at the company's Crosby manufacturing facility.