Farnell Packaging

What Farnell Packaging does

Farnell Packaging Limited is a family-owned flexible packaging manufacturer founded in 1961 by Don and Amy Farnell, headquartered and operating out of a single Dartmouth, Nova Scotia facility that employs over 200 people. The company produces custom polyethylene-based flexible packaging for North American brands across at least seven vertical end markets: fresh produce, frozen food, seafood, personal care, bakery, wood pellets, and horticulture. Its manufacturing is IFS PACSecure and ISO 9001 certified, and the firm reports that 97% of product shipped in 2023 was recycle-ready, with a stated 99% target for 2025.

The company's product platform rests on two layers. The first is a portfolio of trademarked proprietary sustainable films — Glacier™ (nylon-free, recycle-ready, designed for seafood), Claropac™ (high-clarity recyclable), ReFlex PCR™ (post-consumer recycled content, 2025 PAC Global Best In Class), TerraFlex™ (fully compostable), and Waypoint™ — that target distinct sustainability pathways. The second layer comprises standard HDPE, LDPE, and degradable films converted into packaging formats including pouches, rollstock, wicketed bags, bottom-seal and side-weld bags, packaging sheets, zippers and closures, and metalized packaging. Supporting services — product development, in-house artwork and design, pre-press, and cross-border warehousing and logistics — are bundled into the customer engagement.

Farnell runs a consultative, quote-based B2B sales model with enterprise field sales across the US and Canada; pricing is not publicly disclosed and is determined per specification, material, volume, and print requirements under multi-year contracts. Revenue is generated primarily through sale of custom flexible packaging products, with ancillary revenue from value-added services and managed warehousing/logistics. Ownership and control remain concentrated within the founding family, with second-generation leadership under COO Joel Rudolph.

Name

Farnell Packaging

Legal name

Farnell Packaging Limited

Website

https://farnell.ca

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Farnell Packaging is a family-owned Canadian flexible packaging manufacturer founded in 1961, producing proprietary and custom sustainable polyethylene films, pouches, and rollstock for North American brands across fresh produce, seafood, frozen food, personal care, bakery, wood pellets, and horticulture verticals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Flexible Packaging Manufacturing

NAICS

Plastics Packaging Film and Sheet (including Laminated) Manufacturing (326112), Plastics Bag and Pouch Manufacturing (326111)

SIC

Unsupported Plastics Film & Sheet (3081), Plastics, Foil & Coated Paper Bags (2673)

akta.pro primary industry

Flexible Plastic Packaging (Bags, Pouches, Sachets) Manufacturing (IMANAEAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Shrink, Stretch & Wrap Films (Pallet Wrap, Shrink Sleeves/Overwrap) (IMALABAF), Industrial & Heavy-Duty Flexible Packaging (Construction, Chemicals, Liners) (IMALABAJ), Flexible Cosmetic Packaging (Pouches, Sachets, Stick Packs) (IMALAJAE)

Keywords

• Flexible packaging films
• Sustainable packaging solutions
• Custom polyethylene films
• Food packaging manufacturing
• Packaging conversion services

Headquarters

HQ city

Dartmouth

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Custom Flexible Packaging Products: Farnell Packaging generates revenue through the manufacture and sale of custom flexible packaging solutions including pouches, rollstock, wicketed bags, bottom seal packaging, side weld packaging, packaging sheets, zippers and closures, and metalized packaging. All products are customized based on customer specifications and machine requirements. Revenue is generated through project-based orders with pricing determined by specifications, materials, and volume.
2. Product Development and Design Services: The company offers product development, artwork and design, and pre-press services to assist customers in preparing products for market. These value-added services support the core packaging product sales and help ensure customer satisfaction and retention.
3. Warehousing and Logistics Services: Warehousing and logistics services for customers across the United States and Canada, including warehousing spare product closer to customers or flying products directly. These services support the core packaging business and help ensure supply chain security for customers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Farnell Packaging Limited manufactures custom flexible packaging films and converted packaging products (pouches, rollstock, wicketed bags, bottom seal, side weld bags, sheets) for B2B customers. The company offers a proprietary portfolio of sustainable film brands (Glacier, Claropac, ReFlex PCR, TerraFlex, Waypoint) alongside standard HDPE, LDPE, and degradable films, and supports customers with product development, artwork/design, pre-press, warehousing, and logistics services.

Product overview

Farnell Packaging is a family-owned flexible packaging manufacturer founded in 1961, creating sustainable packaging pathways for brands delivering essential products. The product portfolio centers on a platform of sustainable flexible packaging solutions comprising proprietary branded films (Glacier™, Claropac™, ReFlex PCR™, TerraFlex™, Waypoint™), standard film materials (HDPE, LDPE, degradable films), and diverse packaging formats (Pouches, Roll Stock, Wicketed Bags, Bottom Seal, Side Weld, Packaging Sheets, Zippers and Closures, Metalized Packaging). These are supported by service capabilities including Product Development, Artwork and Design, Pre-Press, and Warehousing and Logistics. The company targets market segments including Fresh Produce, Frozen Food, Seafood, Personal Care, Bakery, Wood Pellets, Horticulture, and Other Applications across North America. Farnell has achieved 97% recycle-ready product shipped in 2023 with a target of 99% for 2025, and received Best In Class recognition at the 2025 PAC Global awards for ReFlex PCR.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Glacier™: Premium recycle-ready packaging film designed specifically for seafood products, made without nylon with superior clarity and durability
• Claropac™
• ReFlex PCR™
• TerraFlex™
• Waypoint™

Products and services

• Glacier Film A recyclable polyethylene film designed for sustainable flexible packaging applications. Targeted at brand owners seeking recyclable packaging alternatives across food, personal care, and industrial segments.
• Claropac Film A metallocene-based polyethylene film offering enhanced performance characteristics for flexible packaging. Designed for converters and brand owners requiring strong seal integrity and durability.
• ReFlex PCR Film A flexible packaging film manufactured with post-consumer recycled (PCR) content, supporting circular-economy objectives for brand owners and converters.
• TerraFlex Film A compostable flexible packaging film providing an end-of-life solution for applications requiring biodegradable packaging.
• Waypoint Film A recyclable barrier film developed specifically for fresh produce packaging, balancing shelf-life protection with recyclability.
• Standard Polyethylene Films (HDPE, LDPE, Degradable) Conventional HDPE, LDPE, and degradable flexible films for general packaging applications across food and industrial customers.
• Packaging Pouches Custom-manufactured flexible pouches (stand-up and formed formats) for food and consumer product brands.
• Rollstock Continuous rollstock film supplied to brand owners and packers for form-fill-seal packaging lines.
• Wicketed Bags Wicketed flexible bags supplied for high-speed packaging operations, commonly used in produce and bakery segments.
• Bottom Seal and Side Seal Bags Custom bottom seal and side weld/side seal bags for industrial and consumer packaging applications.
• Packaging Sheets
• Zippers and Closures
• Metalized Packaging
• Full Picture Packaging Product Development Service An end-to-end service combining product development, artwork and design, pre-press, warehousing, and logistics to support customers from concept through delivery. Targeted at brand owners and converters.

Quantifiable outcome

• 97% of product shipped in 2023 was recycle-ready, with a target of 99% recycle-ready for 2025
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, moderate and minor.

• Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP)coreOthersFarnell Packaging is a member of the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership, a community of printing and packaging manufacturers dedicated to promoting sustainability. As a member, the company is required to set new and improved sustainability goals every year to maintain membership. SGP focuses on improving energy efficiency, reducing waste, and general environmental compliance.
• Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP)coreOthersFarnell Packaging is a member of CDP, a not-for-profit organization that runs a global disclosure system allowing companies to measure and be accountable for their environmental impacts. The company reports carbon impact to CDP to measure environmental impact and identify areas for improvement.
• How2RecyclecoreOthersFarnell Packaging participates in the How2Recycle program, an improved standardized labeling system that more clearly communicates recycling instructions to the public. The program addresses consumer confusion about how to handle recyclable materials, one of the biggest obstacles to getting more packaging into recycling centers.
• PAC GlobalmoderateOthersFarnell Packaging is associated with PAC Global, an organization that recognizes excellence in packaging. The company's ReFlex PCR won Best In Class at the 2025 PAC Global awards.
• Canadian ChemistryminorOthersIndustry association membership providing access to best practices and collaboration with peers in the Canadian packaging and chemistry sectors.
• Flexography.orgminorOthersIndustry association membership for flexographic printing technology. Staff members have been or are currently on the board of directors of several industry associations.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Mondi plc: European paper and flexible packaging manufacturer with growing sustainable films business. Overlaps with Farnell in recyclable pouches and rollstock but at global scale with a different primary substrate mix.
• Amcor plc: Global flexible and rigid packaging giant with a large portfolio of sustainable films and pouches. Direct overlap with Farnell's recyclable film offerings, but Amcor operates at vastly greater scale across multiple packaging formats and geographies.
• Sealed Air Corporation: Broad incumbent in protective and food packaging with sustainable film offerings (e.g., Cryovac). Overlaps with Farnell's recyclable flexible films for food applications but is a much larger global player across multiple categories.
• Pactiv Evergreen (Foodservice & Packaging): Large foodservice and consumer packaging producer with overlapping flexible film and bag products. Broader portfolio than Farnell and less specialized in recyclable mono-material films.

Direct peers

• ProAmpac: US-based flexible packaging and sustainable film specialist serving food, personal care and industrial markets. Closest mid-market peer on product (recyclable/PCR pouches, rollstock) and customer overlap.
• Winpak Ltd. Canadian-based flexible and rigid packaging manufacturer headquartered in Winnipeg. Most direct regional competitor on polyethylene films, pouches and rollstock serving food and personal care customers across North America.
• Constantia Flexibles: Austria-based flexible packaging specialist serving food, pharma and personal care. Highly comparable on product (recyclable/laminated films, pouches) and sustainability positioning, though focused on European markets.
• Glenroy, Inc. US privately-held flexible packaging manufacturer specializing in pouches, rollstock and stand-up pouches for food, personal care and household products. Closest comparable in size, private ownership profile and product mix.
• Inteplast Group: North American manufacturer of flexible packaging films, bags and institutional products. Overlaps with Farnell's HDPE/LDPE film and bag offerings across food service and industrial customers.
• Coveris Holdings S.A. European flexible packaging manufacturer with North American operations serving food and personal care markets. Comparable on sustainable films and pouches; deeper geographic diversification than Farnell.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Farnell Packaging