What Haire Group does

Haire Group is a US-based industrial machinery distributor and sales agent specializing in corrugated converting equipment, serving independent and integrated box manufacturers across the United States and Canada. Founded in 1976 by Thomas B. Haire and headquartered in Merrillville, Indiana, the company operates as the exclusive North American channel for three OEM brands: APSTAR (rotary die cutters and flexo folder gluers manufactured with SUN Lead Edge Feeders, SUN MicroGrind technology, Siemens PLCs, and components from Pamarco, Rexroth, ABB, SEW Eurodrive, and ARO); Encore (Italian-manufactured set-up-while-run flexo folder gluers and rotary die cutters with proprietary features including Serrapid Quickset die mounting, automatic anilox roll change, and servo-driven precision); and Engico Jumbo (large-format flexo folder gluers up to 99" x 256"). The company's product portfolio also includes peripheral modules (prefeeders, vacuum stackers, automatic palletizers, IFP stackers, bundle breakers, scrap masters), a pre-owned equipment market guide, and one of the largest finishing showrooms in the world at its headquarters, which doubles as an operator training center with virtual tour capability (Haire Vision). The company emphasizes long-term partnership relationships over transactional sales and positions 24/7 emergency service and an extensive onsite parts inventory as core differentiators.

Haire Group generates revenue through four primary streams: new machinery sales (large-ticket capital equipment with quote-based pricing), pre-owned equipment sales and appraisals, parts and 24/7 service contracts (operated under the Haire Technical Group / HTG brand), and training services delivered at the Merrillville showroom. Go-to-market is executed through direct field sales organized into three regional US territories (West/Southwest, Midwest/Southeast, Northeast), supplemented by industry-association channels (AICC, TAPPI, Fibre Box) and the SuperCorrExpo 2024 product launch. The company is privately held, with ownership transferred to Jeff Quinn (CEO) and Keith Umlauf (COO) in 2022; Mike Mulroe joined as President in 2021 and formed the current management team. There is no disclosed institutional investment or parent company, and no public revenue figures are available.

Name

Haire Group

Legal name

Haire Group

Website

https://hairegroup.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Haire Group is a US-based exclusive distributor for APSTAR, Encore, and Engico corrugated converting machinery (flexo folder gluers and rotary die cutters), serving independent and integrated box manufacturers across the US and Canada with new equipment, pre-owned appraisals, 24/7 parts and service, and operator training from its Merrillville, Indiana headquarters.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Merrillville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. New Corrugated Machinery Sales: Sale of new corrugated converting machinery including APSTAR, Encore, and Engico lines of flexo folder gluers and rotary die cutters. Revenue is generated through direct sales to corrugated box converting plants with pricing based on machine specifications and configuration.
2. Parts & Support Services: 24/7 emergency service, parts supply, and technical support for all machines sold by Haire. Includes routine maintenance and machine upgrades. Parts are supplied from extensive onsite inventory in Merrillville, IN.
3. Pre-Owned Equipment: Sale of pre-owned corrugated production equipment with detailed, fair market value appraisals informed by real-time market trends and decades of industry experience.
4. Training Services: Full training programs for plant operators at the Haire Group Showroom & Training Center, including interactive classroom and hands-on training prior to machine delivery and installation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Haire Group sells new corrugated converting machinery—flexo folder gluers and rotary die cutters—through its APSTAR, Encore, and Engico product lines to corrugated box converting plants across the United States and Canada. The company complements machinery sales with 24/7 parts and service support via its Haire Technical Group (HTG), a hands-on showroom and training center, pre-owned equipment appraisals, and complementary peripheral accessories such as prefeeders, stackers, and palletizers.

Product overview

Haire Group is a premier provider of new corrugated converting machinery with a diversified portfolio of branded product lines. The core offerings include the APSTAR line (HS2 and HG2 series) of rotary die cutters and flexo folder gluers offering versatile printing and die cutting solutions; the Encore line (FD and HGL series) featuring set-up-while-run technology for maximum efficiency and Italian-manufactured models; the Apstar GTS series as the latest generation with full servo design and built-in intelligence; and the Engico Jumbo for large-format applications up to 99" x 256". These machinery lines are complemented by peripheral equipment (prefeeders, vacuum stackers, automatic palletizers, IFP stackers, bundle breakers, scrap masters), supported by 24/7 parts and service, a hands-on showroom/training center, and pre-owned equipment appraisals. The diverse product lines serve corrugated box converting plants seeking versatility, print quality, speed, and efficiency.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• APSTAR: Line of flexo folder gluers and rotary die cutters sold by Haire Group.
• Encore
• Engico
• Haire Vision

Products and services

• APSTAR HS2 1632 Rotary Die Cutter All-servo rotary die cutter designed for direct-print graphics with inline sheet cleaning, dust control, vacuum sheet transfer, and closed-loop chambered ink metering. Built for corrugated box converting plants requiring high-quality printing and die cutting.
• APSTAR HG2 1624 Rotary Die Cutter Versatile rotary die cutter with extended feed and print sections, inline sheet cleaning, chambered ink metering with twin ink pumps. ISO 9000 certified combining PLC accuracy with computer-controlled repeatability. For corrugated box converting plants.
• APSTAR HG2 924 Flexo Folder Gluer High-performance flexo folder gluer combining bottom printing with die cutting capabilities. Features servo lead edge feeder, SUN Microgrind technology, and dual scoring system for superior box creasing and folding. Now available with top printing capabilities. For corrugated box converting plants.
• APSTAR HG2 1228 Flexo Folder Gluer Versatile flexo folder gluer featuring four-shaft servo dual slotter for extraordinary scoring, virtually no slotting knife changes, and movable center head for different slotting configurations. For corrugated box converting plants.
• APSTAR HG2 1632 Flexo Folder Gluer Large-format flexo folder gluer with adjustable folding swords allowing compensation for different board calipers leading to more precise final folding. For corrugated box converting plants.
• Apstar GTS 618 Flexo Folder Gluer High-speed flexo folder gluer with full servo design, set-up-while-run print units, individual creaser and double shaft slotter, dynamic squaring device, and no crush feeder. Built for speed and designed for profit. For corrugated box converting plants.
• Apstar GTS 924 Flexo Folder Gluer High-speed flexo folder gluer with top printing advantages combined with minimal downtime. Designed for competitive marketplaces. For corrugated box converting plants.
• Apstar GTS 1228 Flexo Folder Gluer High-speed flexo folder gluer with all advantages of top printing combined with minimal downtime for maximum production efficiency. For corrugated box converting plants.
• Encore FD 618 Flexo Folder Gluer Advanced quick-set top printing flexo folder gluer with one-to-one scoring, closed-loop dust management, servo glue tab cutter, and modular scalable design. Features set-up-while-run capabilities for maximum efficiency. For corrugated box converting plants.
• Encore FD 821 Flexo Folder Gluer Italian-manufactured flexo folder gluer featuring dual one-to-one creasing, no crush feeder, full servo design, and set-up-while-run print units. Modular scalable design for growing capacity. For corrugated box converting plants.
• Encore HGL 924 FFG Italian-manufactured quick-set bottom printing flexo folder gluer with high-graphic printing capabilities. Production capacity of 18,000 pieces/hour with Serrapid Quick Die Mounting option. For corrugated box converting plants.
• Encore HGL 1228 FFG Italian-manufactured quick-set bottom printing flexo folder gluer with high-graphic printing for maximum efficiency and superior product quality. For corrugated box converting plants.
• Encore HGL 1628 Rotary Die Cutter Quick-set bottom printing rotary die cutter with speeds up to 200 sheets per minute, set-up-while-run capabilities, fully automatic anilox roll change, and Serrapid Quickset Die Mounting for dies mounted in as little as 30 seconds. For corrugated box converting plants.
• Encore HGL 1632 Rotary Die Cutter Set-up-while-run rotary die cutter with speeds up to 200 sheets per minute, no crush feeder, best quick die change in the industry, and optional fully automatic anilox roll change. For corrugated box converting plants.
• Engico Jumbo Flexo Folder Gluer Jumbo-sized flexo folder gluer with sizes up to 99" x 256" - the largest in the world. Processes corrugated caliber from 0.125" to 0.625" (triple wall) with max weight of 512 pounds/MSFQ. Maximum productivity of 3,600 sheets/hour (up to 6,000 with double feed). For corrugated box converting plants serving automotive and heavy industry applications.
• 24/7 Emergency Service and Parts Support (Haire Technical Group) 24/7 emergency service, parts supply, and technical support for all machines sold by Haire Group, supplied from extensive onsite parts inventory at Merrillville, IN. Includes routine maintenance and machine upgrades. Available nationwide to corrugated box converting plant customers.
• Machinery Showroom and Training Center One of the largest finishing showrooms in the world featuring operational machines for hands-on customer experience, with Haire Vision virtual tours available remotely. Includes professional training programs for plant operators in both interactive classroom and hands-on formats prior to machine delivery and installation. Located at Haire Group headquarters in Merrillville, IN.
• Pre-Owned Machinery Market Guide Sale of pre-owned corrugated production equipment with detailed, fair market value appraisals informed by real-time market trends and decades of industry experience. For corrugated box converting plant customers seeking cost-effective equipment alternatives.

Quantifiable outcome

• Speed improvements of up to 2x faster than old machines (Volk Packaging achieved 13,000 units/hour)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 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

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• EngicocoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 January 2022Haire Group began selling the Engico Jumbo flexo folder gluer in 2022. Engico provides machinery with direct drive technology, independent brushless motors, and industry-leading innovation. All Engico machines are equipped with remote access for real-time service from Engico engineers.
• EDF (Italian Manufacturer)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 1 January 2020Haire Group began selling Italian-manufactured EDF machinery starting in 2020. This partnership expanded their product portfolio to include European-manufactured corrugated converting equipment.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BOBST: Swiss-headquartered global manufacturer of packaging and printing machinery, including flexo folder gluers and rotary die cutters for corrugated converters. Directly competes with Haire's represented product lines in the same North American end market.
• BW Papersystems (formerly Marquip): North American manufacturer of corrugated converting machinery, including flexo folder gluers and rotary die cutters. Sells directly into the same corrugated box plant customers as Haire, often competing head-to-head on mid- and large-format equipment.
• Fosber: Italian manufacturer of corrugators and converting equipment, part of the J.S. Machine group. Directly comparable to Haire's Engico and Encore lines in flexo folder gluer technology and the corrugated end market.
• Gopfert: German manufacturer of flexo folder gluers, rotary die cutters, and inline converting machinery for the corrugated industry. Competes with Haire on technology, performance, and direct machine sales in the corrugated converting market.
• EMBA Machinery: Spanish/European manufacturer of corrugated converting equipment, including flexo folder gluers and rotary die cutters. Closely comparable to Haire's Encore and Engico product range in target customer, technology, and price band.
• Isowa Corporation: Japanese manufacturer of corrugated converting machinery, including flexo folder gluers and die cutters. Directly comparable to Haire's product lines in technology category and target converter customers.

Others

• SUN Automation Group: Manufacturer of the APSTAR line of flexo folder gluers and rotary die cutters that Haire distributes in North America, and supplier of the SUN Lead Edge Feeder used across Haire's portfolio. Acts simultaneously as Haire's primary technology partner and as a competitor via its own sales channels.
• Koenig & Bauer: Major European manufacturer of printing machinery with adjacent exposure to packaging and corrugated finishing. Not a direct corrugated-converting specialist but a broader printing-machinery incumbent that increasingly competes for the same converter capex dollars.

Broad incumbents

• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI): Large Japanese industrial conglomerate whose packaging machinery division supplies corrugated converting equipment to global converters. Offers overlapping capability to Haire's portfolio as part of a much wider industrial portfolio rather than as a corrugated specialist.
• Barry-Wehmiller Companies: Global industrial platform that owns BW Papersystems, one of Haire's closest direct competitors. Operates across packaging machinery and broader industrial equipment, providing both an overlap and a broader context for Haire's positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 Haire Group