中文Most companies talk about investing in their people. Belmark is spending $121 million to prove it.
The De Pere, Wisconsin label and packaging manufacturer has broken ground on what it’s calling a Family Center — a facility that will offer on-site childcare, primary medical care, mental health services, physical therapy, and fitness resources for employees and their families. It’s a level of workplace investment that you don’t see often in the packaging industry, and it signals something about how this company thinks about its workforce.
The Numbers Behind the Commitment
The broader investment package totals more than $121 million across equipment, facilities, and workforce development, with the project expected to create 143 new full-time jobs. The Family Center alone accounts for over $15 million of that and is scheduled to open in 2027.
The childcare facility, developed in partnership with Encompass, will span approximately 14,000 square feet. A portion of spots will be reserved for Belmark employees at a discounted rate, with remaining places open to the community — a detail that signals the company isn’t just doing this for optics.
The on-site health and wellness clinic, developed with Emplify Health by Bellin, goes even further: it will be completely free for all employees and their dependents covered under the company’s insurance plan. That’s a meaningful benefit in a country where healthcare costs are a constant source of financial stress for working families.
A First in Wisconsin
Belmark has the distinction of being the first business in Wisconsin to qualify for Business Development Tax Credits for investing in a childcare facility, following an update to the incentive program in 2023. The company received up to $2.5 million in credits from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation — a fraction of the total investment, but a sign that the model is getting policy support.
Karl Schmidt, chairman of Belmark, framed the investment in straightforward terms: “We continue to invest in our business to build a strong future for our employees, their families, and our community. The Belmark Family Center is another step in creating a workplace that supports the people who make our company successful.”
Why This Matters for the Packaging Industry
The packaging and print industry has a staffing problem that doesn’t get discussed as openly as it should. Turnover is high, skilled operators are hard to find and harder to keep, and the physical demands of production work make it a tough sell for younger workers weighing their options.
Childcare availability is one of the most common barriers to workforce participation — particularly for working parents at income levels typical of production roles. Mental health support and accessible healthcare address different but equally real retention factors.
Belmark’s bet is that solving these problems for employees translates directly into a more stable, more capable, more productive workforce. The business case writes itself, even before you factor in the 143 new jobs.
Founded in 1977, Belmark makes pressure-sensitive labels, flexible packaging, and folding cartons for the craft beer, pet food, snack food, and produce markets. It’s not a household name outside the industry, but it’s building something worth paying attention to.
Source: Labels & Labeling
