Canning company coming to Fremont

FREMONT — Local officials and executives came together on Thursday for a new business breaking ground on a project in the local community. Lagersmith Can Supply Co., a canning company headquartered in Minnesota, has expanded its business and is constructing a 25,000-square-foot warehouse and production facility in Bark Creek Industrial Park in Fremont. It will create more than 20 new jobs in a three-year period. Lagersmith's next-generation technology will digitally print on aluminum cans and will be monumental in transforming the beverage industry. Its typical customers have products such as beer, sodas, teas, kombuchas and ready-to-drink cocktails. Several people spoke during the groundbreaking: • Fremont Mayor Daniel Sanchez: The city of Fremont is excited to welcome Lagersmith to our community. We continue to make Fremont an attractive place to do business and are very happy Lagersmith chose to invest in our community." • Lagersmith founder Nathan Smith: "I'm proud of our team's work that made this production facility a possibility. I hope it provides a great service to the beverage industry and prosperous job opportunities for decades to come. Sustainability at the forefront The company strives to be a market leader in sustainable single-use package options. Currently, many beverage brands rely on a plastic label or shrink sleeve to decorate their aluminum cans. This facility will eliminate that need, thus reducing waste by saving 250 tons of plastic from ending up in landfills. Founded in 2012 as a mobile bottling company, Lagersmith has continued to grow by evolving within the ever-changing beverage industry. Starting as a single-operator company serving local craft breweries, Smith adapted to the needs of his customers. "Through fervent service, fair trade and responsible investments in the business, Lagersmith has become a company capable of serving the needs of all beverage companies — from startups to national brands," Smith said. A massive investment The facility will house a state-of-the-art direct-to-can digital printer, offices, warehousing space and loading docks. Lagersmith will be investing $10 million in construction, which includes the purchase of equipment and machinery for their new facility. The company is partnering with Janotta & Herner as the general contractor for the project. Lagersmith expects to be fully operational in early 2024. "Lagersmith's decision to choose Fremont and Sandusky County for its new facility shows economic growth and stability within our region," said Beth Hannam, executive director of the Sandusky County Economic Development Corp. "We are looking forward to seeing their new plant open in Fremont and wish them great success."