Synergy between county and businesses brings $10 million Lagersmith Can Supply to Fremont

Roger LaPointe, Fremont News-Messenger
·2 min read

FREMONT - The Lagersmith Can Supply Co. broke ground on a $10 million facility, expected to be fully operational in early 2024, that will hold its direct-to-can printing facility and distribution center.

Headquartered in Minnesota, Lagersmith specializes in printing to aluminum cans with a state-of-the-art, direct-to-can printing process. Its typical customers have products such as beer, sodas, teas, kombuchas, and ready-to-drink cocktails.

The company is expanding its business with a 25,000-square-foot warehouse and production facility in Bark Creek Industrial Park in Fremont. The new Lagersmith plant will create more than 20 jobs in a three-year period.

The Lagersmith Can Supply Co. held a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, in front of the framework for their new $10 million facility in Fremont.
The Lagersmith Can Supply Co. held a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, in front of the framework for their new $10 million facility in Fremont.

“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,” said Nathan Smith, founder of Lagersmith, at Thursday's groundbreaking ceremony.

“The city of Fremont is excited to welcome Lagersmith to our community,” Fremont Mayor Daniel Sanchez said. "We continue to make Fremont an attractive place to do business and are very happy Lagersmith chose to invest in our community.”

The Lagersmith Can Supply Co. held a groundbreaking ceremony was held in front of the framework for their new $10 million facility in Fremont that will employ 20.
The Lagersmith Can Supply Co. held a groundbreaking ceremony was held in front of the framework for their new $10 million facility in Fremont that will employ 20.

Among the reasons Lagersmith chose Fremont was proximity to its supplier, the Ardagh Metal Packaging company, which has facilities in Fremont, and Huron and Lucas counties.

Smith said 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. The Fremont facility will eliminate that need, reducing waste by saving 250 tons of plastic from ending up in landfills each year.

The Lagersmith Can Supply Co. has a state-of-the-art printing process which goes directly on aluminum cans.
The Lagersmith Can Supply Co. has a state-of-the-art printing process which goes directly on aluminum cans.

Smith founded Lagersmith in 2012 as a mobile bottling company to local craft breweries. He started out operating the business entirely on his own, out of the back of his Toyota 4Runner.

“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.

The Fremont facility will house the digital printer, offices, warehousing space, and loading docks. Lagersmith will be investing $10 million in construction including the purchase of equipment and machinery for its new facility. It is partnering with Janotta & Herner as the general contractor for the project.

“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 Corporation. “We are looking forward to seeing their new plant open in Fremont and wish them great success.”

rlapointe@gannett.com

419-332-2674

This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: 20 new jobs coming with Lagersmith aluminum can printing company