How a Shared Passion for Engineering Sparked 25 Years of Innovation at Catbridge

Published: November 12, 2025

Catbridge founders Bill Christman and Michael Pappas first teamed up in college while working on a software project for an automatic knife positioning system.

Catbridge, a leading U.S. manufacturer of slitting, rewinding, and web converting machinery, proudly marks 25 years of innovation, partnership, and progress in 2025.

What began as a small collaboration between two longtime friends, Michael Pappas and Bill Christman, has grown into an industry-leading company known for engineering excellence, deep customer relationships, and a broad range of converting solutions.

Michael and Bill first teamed up in college while working on a software project for an automatic knife positioning system. Michael handled the mechanical systems, and Bill tackled the electrical side. That early partnership laid the foundation for what would eventually become Catbridge, a name lovingly inspired by their wives, Kathy and Bridget.

“I never had any idea or ambition to grow it at some incredible rate,” said Michael Pappas, Owner & President since 2000. “I just thought to take care of your customers and make sure you have the resources to do it and grow at the pace that’s required to manage the people you’ve committed to in the industry. And that’s kind of what we did.”

From a drawing board in Newark, NJ, to a state-of-the-art facility in Montville, Catbridge has expanded thoughtfully over the decades, adding new capabilities, new industries, and most recently, 10,000 square feet of manufacturing space to meet growing demand.

Initially serving the paper and tape industries, Catbridge has since expanded into nonwovens, films, and more, building a reputation for high-performance machines that balance flexibility with power.

Today, Catbridge stands apart with its:

• Deep inventory management and fast build times
• In-house lab for continuous testing and R&D
• Flagship machines like the 900MC, offering hybrid performance for today’s converting challenges

• Converting Conversations podcast, delivering fresh insights on converting and automation

Catbridge was also honored as a finalist for NJMEP’s Innovator of the Year in 2019 and continues to be recognized for its steady, customer-driven growth since its founding in 2000.

Looking Ahead

As Catbridge celebrates its 25th year, the team remains focused on the same values that got them here: smart engineering, close collaboration, and doing the job right.

“From that first machine we built together to the full production lines we deliver today, the heart of Catbridge has always been solving problems for our customers,” says Bill Christman, Owner and VP. “That’s what makes this milestone so meaningful.”

About Catbridge

Catbridge designs and builds high-performance slitter rewinders, complete converting lines, and custom-engineered machinery for a wide range of materials and industries. Headquartered in Montville, NJ, Catbridge is known for its customer-first approach, technical expertise, and machinery that delivers both precision and productivity.