Our History
Our History
Lars Mikkelsen founded Mikkelsen Enterprises in 1974 to nationally market bulk packaging in the frozen food industry. He was instrumental in developing the concept for laminating material to form a 1-piece, 3-ply, corrugated bin. He named it the HPT® (High Performance Tote), which is now the standard in the industry.
To accommodate the industry, the company added products such as spiral-wound corner posts to reinforce the bin structure, and slip sheets. These set specifications that are current today for excellent performance in specific application bulk packaging.
The company moved into the international market in the early 1980s. Lars’s oldest son, Cliff Mikkelsen, joined the firm in 1994, bringing with him 15 years of broad experience in the food industry, which included packaging management, food processing, international sales and purchasing. It evolved into TOTECO Packaging Company LLC in early 1998 as an all-purpose supplier of specific standard designs to its market.
It is the only company selling bulk packaging to the food industry that provides multi-region origin points, companion products, distribution, warehousing, and, most notably, extensive knowledge and networking.
Founder
1919-2006
A legend in the frozen food industry, Lars began his career in Los Angeles in 1948 as one of Birds Eye Frozen Foods’ first salesmen (on left in above photo), then moved into packaging, where he acquired a wealth of experience and knowledge.
Lars’s people skills were extraordinary. He never forgot a name or a place or a situation, and he was always there for the customer. Many still remember him arriving at their doors in his classic “Caddy” convertible he named La Caja, with its top down to accommodate a stack of tote bins in the back seat. He deeply cared about his customers, developing programs to specifically meet their needs.
As a visionary, few, if any, could match Lars. He was inducted into the Distinguished Order of Zerocrats in 1968, in recognition of his vision and contributions to the industry. He went on to develop the specifications and concept for laminating material to form a 1-piece, 3-ply, corrugated bin. He named it the HPT® (High Performance Tote), which is now a standard in the industry.
Lars battled a rare and progressive neurological disease the last 8 years of his life, but he never allowed it to interfere with overseeing and expanding the business, while continually maintaining customer relationships. Right up to the end, he seldom missed a day at his office. His remarkable spirit remained until he died in December 2006, just three weeks short of his 87th birthday. He loved his business; he loved his industry.
A legend in the frozen food industry, Lars began his career in Los Angeles in 1948 as one of Birds Eye Frozen Foods’ first salesmen (on left in above photo), then moved into packaging, where he acquired a wealth of experience and knowledge.
Lars’s people skills were extraordinary. He never forgot a name or a place or a situation, and he was always there for the customer. Many still remember him arriving at their doors in his classic “Caddy” convertible he named La Caja, with its top down to accommodate a stack of tote bins in the back seat. He deeply cared about his customers, developing programs to specifically meet their needs.
As a visionary, few, if any, could match Lars. He was inducted into the Distinguished Order of Zerocrats in 1968, in recognition of his vision and contributions to the industry. He went on to develop the specifications and concept for laminating material to form a 1-piece, 3-ply, corrugated bin. He named it the HPT® (High Performance Tote), which is now a standard in the industry.
Lars battled a rare and progressive neurological disease the last 8 years of his life, but he never allowed it to interfere with overseeing and expanding the business, while continually maintaining customer relationships. Right up to the end, he seldom missed a day at his office. His remarkable spirit remained until he died in December 2006, just three weeks short of his 87th birthday. He loved his business; he loved his industry.