What Colbert Packaging does

Colbert Packaging is a privately held, family-owned paperboard packaging manufacturer founded in 1959 and headquartered in Kenosha, Wisconsin, with approximately 300 employees across three Midwest facilities — Kenosha (corporate headquarters and primary manufacturing, 175,000 sq ft after a May 2024 expansion), Elkhart, Indiana (manufacturing, with paper tray forming), and South Bend, Indiana (distribution warehouse). The company produces custom folding cartons, pressure-sensitive roll labels, informational package inserts, formed paper trays, combination packaging, and patient adherence packaging using offset and flexographic printing, and sells exclusively to enterprise customers in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, and consumer goods industries.

The company's technical stack centers on continuous capital investment in converting equipment — five Brausse (Eterna) blanking die cutters (a beta-test partnership dating to 2015), the longest RMGT 1060TP-LX 10-color printing press in North America with cold foil and tandem perfector capability, and a RōBEX-engineered robotic palletization system — alongside the patented One Clean Carton® water-based platform (agri-based inks, water-based coatings and adhesives, low migration/VOC/odor, optional 30% post-consumer recycled content) and BlisterGuard® trademark. Quality control is anchored on EyeC 100% inline vision inspection across prepress, printing, and finishing, complemented by anti-counterfeit and serialization features for pharmaceutical customers.

Colbert operates a custom B2B manufacturing model: quote-based pricing on multi-year enterprise contracts, sold through direct enterprise field sales (led by VP Sales & Marketing Ryan Hart, with Senior VP Lon Johnson), with inbound quote-request on its website and ongoing presence at PACK EXPO Healthcare Packaging Pavilion. Revenue is generated per-order against customer specifications, with in-house services (structural design, full-service prepress, paperboard sheeting, ink blending/matching, and die making/cutting) bundled into the physical product. The company is led by CEO Nancy Colbert MacDougall, daughter of founder Charles Colbert, who has held the role since 1995, with President & COO John Lackner overseeing operations.

Name

Colbert Packaging

Legal name

Colbert Packaging Corporation

Website

https://colbertpkg.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1959

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Colbert Packaging is a family-owned paperboard packaging manufacturer producing custom folding cartons, pressure-sensitive roll labels, package inserts, formed paper trays, and the patented One Clean Carton® platform for pharmaceutical, healthcare, and consumer goods manufacturers from Midwest US facilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing

NAICS

Folding Paperboard Box Manufacturing (322212), Paperboard Container Manufacturing (32221), Other Paperboard Container Manufacturing (322219), Packaging and Labeling Services (561910)

SIC

Paperboard Containers & Boxes (2650), Commercial Printing (2750)

akta.pro primary industry

Folding Cartons (Folding Boxboard, SBS/SUS) (IMALACAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Folding Cartons & Paperboard Packaging Converting (IMAMAHAB), Folding Carton & Paperboard Packaging Printing (IMALAKAH)

Keywords

• Paperboard packaging manufacturing
• Custom folding cartons
• Pressure-sensitive roll labels
• Pharmaceutical secondary packaging
• Sustainable packaging solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Lake Forest

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing: High-volume production of sustainable paper-based packaging including offset and flexographic printed folding cartons, formed paper trays, pressure-sensitive roll labels, and informational package inserts. Revenue generated through per-order manufacturing with custom specifications for each customer.
2. In-house Services: Structural design, full-service prepress, paperboard sheeting, ink blending/matching, and die making/cutting services bundled with packaging products.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Colbert Packaging is a high-volume producer of sustainable paper-based packaging, manufacturing custom offset and flexographic printed folding cartons, formed paper trays, pressure-sensitive roll labels, and informational package inserts. The company also produces its patented One Clean Carton water-based, low-migration packaging and offers in-house structural design, prepress, sheeting, ink blending, and die making services for pharmaceutical, healthcare, and consumer goods customers.

Product overview

Colbert Packaging is a dynamic high-volume producer of sustainable paper-based packaging serving pharmaceutical, healthcare, and consumer goods industries. The company operates a multi-product portfolio architecture centered on custom folding cartons as the core product, complemented by specialty offerings including the patented One Clean Carton® (a proprietary water-based, low-migration packaging solution), pressure-sensitive roll labels, package inserts, combination packaging, patient adherence packaging, and formed paper trays. Supporting technologies include 100% inline vision inspection using EyeC systems for quality control, anti-counterfeit and security solutions, and sustainable packaging with ecoVadis-rated practices. Manufacturing capabilities span offset and flexographic printing, with facilities in Kenosha, WI (HQ/manufacturing) and Elkhart, IN (manufacturing), plus a distribution warehouse in South Bend, IN.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• One Clean Carton®: A patented sustainable packaging solution using water-based inks, coatings, and adhesives. Tested and verified for low migration, low odor, and low V.O.C. for pharmaceutical and food-safe secondary packaging. Uses 100% recyclable paperboard with agri-based inks and aqueous coatings.

Products and services

• Custom Folding Cartons High-volume custom paperboard folding cartons produced using offset and flexographic printing for pharmaceutical, healthcare, and consumer goods industries, with structural design, prepress, sheeting, ink blending, and die making included.
• One Clean Carton Proprietary water-based packaging solution featuring low migration, low VOC, and low odor properties, tested for pharmaceutical and food-safe secondary packaging using agri-based inks, water-based coatings and adhesives.
• Combination Packaging Packaging solutions combining multiple components or packaging types to meet complex product requirements.
• Package Inserts Informational inserts printed and cut to specifications for inclusion in packaging, produced using offset printing technology.
• Pressure-Sensitive Roll Labels Pressure-sensitive labels produced on roll format using flexographic printing for pharmaceutical, healthcare, and consumer goods applications.
• Patient Adherence Packaging Specialty packaging solutions designed to improve patient compliance with medication regimens, including specialized formats and features.
• Formed Paper Trays Paper tray forming services at the Elkhart, Indiana facility, providing protective packaging solutions.
• Anti-Counterfeit and Security Packaging Solutions Complete array of overt and covert security features designed to guard against fraud and counterfeiting risks in pharmaceutical and consumer goods packaging.

Quantifiable outcome

• Top 35th percentile EcoVadis sustainability rating among 130,000+ companies
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Brausse Group (Eterna)coreTechnology or Integration · 10 January 2024Equipment supplier for blanking die cutters. Colbert has been beta testing partner since 2015 as first U.S.-based packaging supplier to implement Brausse/Eterna equipment with blanking technology. Five Eterna die cutters now operational.
• RōBEXcoreTechnology or Integration · 6 September 2023Industrial robot integration provider that collaborated with Colbert to design and implement a customized robotic palletization system. Solution includes automated labeling, orientation, and palletization capabilities with unique End-of-Arm Tool design.
• EyeC (EyeC-America)coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for vision inspection technology providing quality control systems including Proofiler software for prepress verification and Inspection Scanners for print production. EyeC technology enables 100% vision inspection across Colbert's manufacturing processes.
• RM Machinery (RMGT)coreTechnology or IntegrationEquipment supplier for printing presses. Colbert invested in longest RMGT press built in North America - the RMGT 1060TP-LX 10-CC-LD+UV with cold foil capability and tandem perfector technology.
• Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC)coreOthersIndustry association of companies that manufacture and sell paperboard packaging. Colbert is a member and participates in TICCIT (Trees Into Cartons/Cartons Into Trees) program developed by PPC.
• EcoVadiscoreOthersBusiness sustainability ratings platform. Colbert subscribed to EcoVadis platform for continuous improvement toward sustainability goals, earning bronze rating in top 35th percentile globally.
• Independent Carton Group (ICG)minorOthersCooperative of independent carton manufacturers. Colbert is a member along with Brausse Group relationship.
• DCATminorOthersIndustry association for pharmaceutical and healthcare business development. Colbert is a member.
• Clearwater (Candesce, ReMagine)minorOthersPaperboard supplier providing Candesce C1S (virgin fiber) and ReMagine SBS (30% post-consumer recycled fiber) for One Clean Carton packaging solutions.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Diamond Packaging: Independent folding carton converter producing decorated paperboard cartons for cosmetics, personal care and healthcare customers. Closely comparable to Colbert on product (offset/folding cartons), customer verticals (beauty/health), and scale (~mid-market independent).
• Thoro Packaging: Family-owned folding carton manufacturer serving pharmaceutical, healthcare, and consumer goods markets. Direct comparable to Colbert on product format, target verticals, and mid-market independent family-owned profile.
• Royal Paper Box: Independent folding carton and specialty paperboard packaging converter with offset printing and structural design capabilities. Comparable to Colbert on product mix, customer profile, and scale.
• Zumbiel Packaging: Independent paperboard packaging manufacturer producing folding cartons, micro-fluted packs, and point-of-purchase displays for CPG and beverage customers. Comparable to Colbert on core folding carton product and CPG vertical exposure.
• Pacific Box Manufacturers: Independent folding carton and paperboard packaging converter serving CPG, food, and pharmaceutical customers on the US West Coast. Comparable to Colbert on product mix, customer verticals, and independent converter profile.

Broad incumbents

• Caraustar Industries: Larger paperboard converter producing folding cartons, tubes, and rigid containers across multiple end markets. Comparable to Colbert on paperboard conversion capability but operates at greater scale and breadth.
• Graphic Packaging: Public, large-scale paperboard packaging manufacturer serving food, beverage, and CPG customers globally. Comparable to Colbert on core paperboard folding carton format but with substantially broader scale and geographic reach.
• Sonoco Products: Diversified global packaging conglomerate offering paperboard cartons, flexible packaging, and protective solutions. Comparable to Colbert in paperboard folding cartons but with much wider product and geographic portfolio.
• Smurfit Westrock: Global paper-based packaging giant offering folding cartons, corrugated, and consumer packaging. Comparable to Colbert on paperboard carton manufacturing but at vastly larger scale and geographic footprint.

Emerging players

• Pharma Packaging Solutions: Specialty pharmaceutical packaging converter focused on cartons, labels, and inserts for pharma and biotech customers. Comparable to Colbert on pharma vertical focus and secondary packaging offering, though narrower in product breadth.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/colbertpkg
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCGyC66powTcBVrKn6jiJGzw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/colbert-packaging

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Colbert Packaging