Leading U.S. recycled paperboard manufacturer Caraustar has launched a strategic promotions division to take advantage of its unique assets.

With 17 paper mills, 14 printing/converting facilities and four design/digital output/pre-press centers at its disposal, the new division is positioned to be ‘a turnkey, comprehensive marketing services provider with the added advantage of [being able to provide] manufacturing and fulfillment for our clients as well,’ says division director Pam Schlichenmayer.

Caraustar’s promo services include: premiums & incentives (everything from trading cards, to 3-D assembly-required objects, to mini-games and puzzles), activity kits & educational products (flash cards, board books, etc.), promotional kits & fan club materials, board games & jigsaw puzzles, brand extensions & cross-promotions and lenticular products & specialty enhancements (including thermochromatic, heat-activated printing and holographics).

And because hardly any work will have to be outsourced, the unit can pass along the cost-savings gleaned by its tight-ship model directly to clients.

For roughly the last six months, Sclichenmayer has been carefully studying the market to see where the ripest opportunities are. In addition to chatting up previous Caraustar customers like Disney and Nickelodeon, she’s initially targeting the sectors of publishing, entertainment, software, sports and consumer goods. Schlichenmayer says she’s already close to signing a deal with a major interactive gaming player.