Independent Carton Group Commences 35th Year in Service

The Independent Carton Group (ICG; independentcartongroup.com) is pleased to be entering its 35th year in service to its members. What began with a few visionaries talking in an airport lounge in the early 1980s is now a major force in the packaging industry. Today, the group’s members, independently owned and operated folding carton manufacturers who are not affiliated with a major paper mill, represent a collective $800 million in annual sales.

“Much has changed over the years. Our membership has grown; we currently have 19 companies on our member roster. We also offer more programs to our members today than we did 35 years ago, one of the most notable being the group purchasing program that began in the late 1990s,” says Jay Willie, executive director of the Independent Carton Group. “One thing that remains the same, though, is that these companies never cease to amaze me with their accomplishments.”

Vista Color (Miami, Fla.), the ICG’s newest member, received national acclaim when the U.S. Department of Commerce named it National Minority Manufacturing Firm of the Year for 2017. Last month, following a rigorous review process, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs certified Disc Graphics (Hauppauge, N.Y.) as a Veteran-Owned Small Business. The ICG also counts among its members several Women’s Business Enterprises: Accurate Box (Paterson, N.J.), Diamond Packaging (Rochester, N.Y.) and Thoro Packaging (Corona, Calif.).

ICG members understand the importance of making investments in their facilities, equipment and workforce. Collectively, the 19 companies occupy approximately 3.5 million square feet of real estate across the United States and Canada, and they are continually expanding and updating their operations. ICG members invest millions of dollars in equipment and technologies each year, resulting in increased production capacity, efficiencies and new capabilities. They are also known for their family-like cultures and people investments that drive high employee tenure.