Charter Next Generation wasn’t built in a day. Our journey to becoming a North American leader in material science spans decades, companies, and state lines. It’s a story of hundreds of dedicated people working together to enhance lives, one innovative and sustainable solution at a time.
Explore our rich history through the interactive timeline below.
Our story is still evolving. As a pioneering force in advanced materials and sustainable solutions, CNG is set to transform the future with an unyielding commitment to sustainability, equity, and innovation. Driven by our purpose, Enhancing Lives for a Better World, we are focused on accelerating growth and creating meaningful value for our customers, communities, and employee owners. With a vision to shape a brighter and more sustainable tomorrow, we continue to lead the material science industry, setting new benchmarks and leaving a lasting legacy.
CNG opened its new headquarters in Chicago as a more central location to better serve customers across the U.S. This move helped us become more efficient and responsive to customer needs. It strengthened our manufacturing network, supporting our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and reliability.
In 2021, CNG took a groundbreaking step by launching the Employee Ownership Program, giving every employee a financial stake in the company’s success. This transformative initiative didn’t just align individuals with CNG’s purpose, values, and long-term goals; it empowered a collective culture of ownership. United by this shared commitment, our employee owners have driven CNG’s growth and fortified its legacy, proving that together, we build a stronger, more impactful future.
Charter NEX continued its remarkable growth, culminating in a $1.5 billion sale in 2017. The defining moment arrived in 2020 when Charter NEX merged with Next Generation Films. The combined strength of over 1,500 employees established Charter Next Generation (CNG), a material science powerhouse committed to innovation and excellence.
From 2010 to 2015, Charter NEX’s revenue nearly tripled. Seizing the opportunity, Mason Wells sold Charter NEX to Pamplona Capital Management. Under Pamplona’s leadership, Charter NEX acquired Bloomer Plastics—renamed Optimum Plastics—adding a legacy asset that traced back to the industry’s early days.
To accelerate growth, NEX Performance Films and Charter Films in Superior, WI engaged in merger talks. United by a shared commitment to quality and customer satisfaction, the two companies combined forces. By 2012, Charter NEX Films was established, with headquarters in Milton, WI.
Despite the success of Appleton Performance Packaging, the division was sold to Mason Wells in 2010. Recognizing the immense potential in flexible packaging, Mason Wells rebranded the division as NEX Performance Films, emphasizing its marquee products.
Appleton Paper, a leader in specialty paper, expanded into the extrusion field with the creation of Appleton Performance Packaging. By 2006, this division had become a top competitor in the packaging market, known for its innovative team, advanced technology, and customer-first approach.
In the early 1970s, demand increased across America for durable and versatile packing products. Bloomer Plastics in Bloomer, WI was one of the first companies to join the extrusion industry and capitalize on this growing trend.
Two curved blue lines. Simple, direct, strong. Those two blue lines hold the CNG promise — a promise to create a world where we can all breathe easier because we know tomorrow will be better than today. But don’t take our word for it.
