As Bemis Manufacturing Company approaches its remarkable 125th anniversary, the Sheboygan Falls–based family business is preparing a year-long celebration that honors both its deep roots and its forward-looking vision.

The milestone is far more than a marker of time. It is a testament to a company built on evolution, innovation and strong customer relationships.

125 Years of Reinvention

Founded in 1901, Bemis has thrived thanks to reinvention.

The willingness to evolve has guided the company from its earliest days. What began as a wagon and furniture manufacturer shifted into bowling pins and later into toilet seats, the product that would become its hallmark.

“When World War II made brass scarce, we pivoted from brass hinges to plastic,” recalls Vesla Hoeschen, Bemis’ chair of the board. “From that innovation came our first plastic toilet seats. We’ve continually reinvented ourselves ever since.”

Why Having a Marketing Team Still Wins

Bemis has always understood that innovation works best when it solves real problems. Based on research and feedback from homeowners and professional installers, the company uncovered the most common challenge: toilet seats that loosen over time. The solution is the Stay·Tite® Seat Fastening System™, a patented solution to eliminate loose toilet seats. The hardware is easy to install, reduces installation time and provides a secure fit that will never loosen, eliminating callbacks. Its precisiontorque, breakaway nut ensures the seat cannot be over‑ or under‑tightened, delivering a reliable, long-lasting installation for both professionals and consumers.

Shifting consumer behavior has also influenced Bemis’ direction in recent years.

Bemis has continued to advance its manufacturing processes to meet growing expectations for environmental responsibility. The company has implemented processes, materials and practices that promote environmental stewardship and social responsibility, while also reporting on its environmental, social and governance impact. Bemis recently received a GreenCircle certification for its wood toilet seats, which verifies that 100% of the wood used is recycled pre-consumer waste. The finished product contains 71% recycled content by weight for seats with plastic hinges and 66% for seats with metal hinges.

These efforts naturally led into the company’s core differentiators, which reflect not only innovation and quality but also longstanding family values, sustainability, governance and the pride of being made in the USA.

Key Differentiators: Family Values, Sustainability, Governance and Being Made in the USA

As a fourth-generation family company, Bemis is guided by long standing values: stewardship, integrity, respect, innovation and sustainability. These values guide every part of the business, from how Bemis treats customers and suppliers to how its products are designed.

Among these values, sustainability stands out as a defining commitment. It’s not a marketing term for Bemis but a value that’s reflected in every part of its business, from using recycled materials to minimizing packaging waste. “Sustainability isn’t a buzzword for us,” Hoeschen says. “It’s part of who we are. We’re committed to leaving the planet and our communities better than we found them.”

The company’s governance model reflects that philosophy. Its board includes three family members and five independent directors— an uncommon balance among family enterprises and one that has contributed to its success.

Another differentiator is Bemis’ commitment to being made in the USA. A vast majority of its products are engineered and manufactured in the United States, resulting in faster responsiveness, stronger support, on-time deliveries and shorter lead times. “Being right here in the U.S. allows us to develop strong relationships with our consumers and distributors, who we see as key partners. We work together with the ultimate goal of growth,” said Jeff Lonigro, president and CEO of Bemis.

Meeting Customer Needs Through Relationship-Building, Agility and Technology

Bemis prides itself on prioritizing customer relationships in order to meet their needs.

At the helm of Bemis’ customer relations are three key customer-facing executives, including TJ Stiefvater, vice president of marketing and general manager for bidets, who leads efforts on helping consumers learn about products online; Michael Subat, vice president of sales, who is a leading voice for Bemis consumers, wholesale distributors and the broader customer base; and Lori Zeier, director of wholesale sales, who focuses on differentiating Bemis’ messaging and products to help both the company and its partners succeed.

Partnerships, especially with wholesale distributors like IMARK, continue to fuel Bemis’ growth. “We’re not just a supplier to IMARK; we’re a strategic partner,” Hoeschen says. “We work together to meet the needs of our customers and trade professionals. Those close relationships are what allow us to keep innovating.”

From conversations with customers, cost management and operational efficiency have emerged as top priorities for partners across the industry—priorities Bemis makes sure to address. “We work hard to improve lead times,” Lonigro says. “In many cases, our fulfillment rates are so fast that we help customers reduce the amount of inventory they need to carry.”

Automation and advanced manufacturing have become essential tools in that effort, with Bemis implementing both into its factories so it can continue to deliver on speed, quality and reliability.

Ultimately, Bemis’ goal is straightforward: to provide customers and partners with the best products in the industry—a full line they can stock, sell and depend on. Bemis’ ability to deliver high-quality products on time sets it apart.

Looking Ahead

With 125 years behind it, Bemis continues to invest in digital tools, product innovation and community engagement, ensuring the next century is as dynamic as the last. In particular, stewardship will be a key focus to guarantee the next 125 years are just as strong.

To celebrate this major milestone, Bemis kicked off in January with events for its employees worldwide, a refreshed anniversary logo and festivities that will continue throughout this year.

As the anniversary celebration begins, one thing is clear: Bemis’ legacy is not only in the products it makes, but in the values, relationships and ingenuity that have sustained it for more than a century.

“Reaching 125 years is not the norm for most companies,” Lonigro says. “It proves our success. It proves our ability to evolve. It proves our ability to listen to consumers and customers. Most importantly, it reflects our commitment to our customers and partners, because their success is a key part of our journey. We're proud of it, and we plan to be in business for another 125 years.”

For more information, visit bemismfg.com.