MENASHA, Wis., Feb. 24 -- Banta Corporation, a market leader in printing and supply-chain management, today announced it has acquired Qualipak Incorporated, Lancaster, PA, a provider of secondary packaging, kit assembly, fulfillment and distribution services for publishers, consumer healthcare markets and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals. The acquisition expands Banta's print-based packaging and fulfillment capabilities to the East Coast. Terms of the purchase were not released. Qualipak becomes Banta's ninth packaging and fulfillment operation. The facilities provide a wide variety of outsourced services, including assembly and distribution of educational classroom kits, trade book order fulfillment, on-demand printing, and literature management services for healthcare providers, financial service organizations, telecommunication companies and industrial markets. Banta Print Sector President Larry Panozzo says Qualipak gives Banta a highly capable provider in an ideal location. "This acquisition is a perfect example of our strategy to expand in our strongest and most attractive market sectors," says Panozzo. "We are rapidly growing our packaging, fulfillment and literature management business by increasing our presence in new markets and locations. Qualipak gives us an extremely well-regarded operation from which we can immediately begin to serve the high-potential East Coast market. It has strong customer relationships and a solid reputation. In addition to important customer overlap, the company brings us many new clients and promising new market opportunities." Banta's other packaging and fulfillment facilities are in Menasha, Appleton, Kaukauna and Green Bay, WI; Harrisonburg, VA; Seattle, WA; Eden Prairie, MN; and Spanish Fork, UT. In addition, a 10th packaging and fulfillment operation is currently under construction in Menasha. Established in 1982, Qualipak serves the publishing, pharmaceutical and healthcare consumer products industries with a broad range of contract packaging, design, assembly, pack-out and distribution services. The company's annual sales approximate $5 million and it employs 50 persons at its offices and plant in Lancaster, PA.