Kilgore, Texas, Company Pak-Sher Announces Paul Gage as New Company President

Pak-Sher, a manufacturer of plastic take-out bags, food storage bags, deli-bags and food handling products in Kilgore, Texas, today announced the appointment of Paul Gage as Pak-Sher’s new president. Pak-Sher is one of the top employers in Kilgore.

Gage comes to Pak-Sher from Hood Packaging’s Plastics Division in High Point, NC, bringing nearly 30 years of experience in plastics manufacturing, sales and marketing management, and product development.

“Paul brings a proven track record of success with companies in the plastics industry,” said Herbert Stern, Chairman of the Board. “His experience in manufacturing and sales along with his personality and entrepreneurial mindset are exactly what Pak-Sher has been looking for in a leader. Under Paul’s leadership, we anticipate significant growth, innovation and continued commitment to our customers.”

"I am very excited to have the opportunity to be working for a company with such an impressive history of exceptional quality, innovative products, impeccable service, and environmental responsibility," said Gage. “My training and background, combined with the solid management team and highly experienced employees at Pak-Sher, provide a foundation to bring additional value-added products and services to the customers in our target markets."

Gage has extensive experience leading large manufacturing organizations, developing and implementing long range strategic plans and generating solid revenue and profit growth.

He has developed several flexible packaging technologies and products, and is the holder of two patents with another pending. Prior to Hood Packaging, Gage served as Vice President/General Manager of Exopack’s Industrial Plastics Division, where he engineered a turnaround resulting in a significant increase in earnings. Before joining Exopack, Gage served in several executive level positions as COO of ISO Poly Film, President of Rex International, and VP Of Manufacturing and Technology at CT film.

Gage holds degrees in both chemical engineering and microbiology from Montana State University.

About Pak-Sher: Pak-Sher has been an innovator in the design and manufacture of carryout and kitchen prep packaging for the food service industry since the early 1970's. Pak-Sher invented many of the packaging products used throughout the restaurant, deli and grocery industry today. Pop-up Quicksheets® were originally developed for service delis and are currently used by tens of thousands of restaurants and grocery stores nationwide. More recently, Pak-Sher designed the easy on-off food handling Sher-Mitt® which is now being recommended by local health departments to minimize potential cross-contamination in kitchens. Today, Pak-Sher has taken the lead in sustainability, developing a complete line of fully compostable plastic packaging, continuing to innovate with new sustainable resin alternatives, and working with local schools to collect and recycle plastic grocery bags.

About Kilgore Economic Development Corporation: An economic development organization funded by a 1/2 cent sales tax approved by voters in 1990. Led by a five member board of directors and managed by a staff of four, KEDC has won international awards for excellence in economic development.