Spicers
Spicers Canada is a national distributor of paper, graphic systems, and packaging products serving commercial printers, sign producers, packaging manufacturers, and industrial customers across Canada via 18-21 regional warehouses and the gospicers.ca B2B platform. The company is a division of CNG.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersVaughan, Canada
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Spicers does
Spicers Canada (ULC) is a national distributor of paper, graphic systems, and packaging products serving Canadian commercial printers, sign and display producers, packaging manufacturers, corporate offices, industrial facilities, moving companies, and automotive customers. The company operates 18-21 strategically located sales and distribution sites across Canada with a 600+ employee workforce, unified by the gospicers.ca B2B e-commerce platform that delivers 24/7 ordering with real-time inventory and account-specific pricing. The product portfolio spans three core categories: paper and specialty products (including own brands Supreme and Pacesetter, exclusive distribution of Fedrigoni luxury papers, and Sustana recycled papers); graphic systems and solutions (HP Latex and Epson professional printers, Orafol and Arlon graphic films, Monti Antonio calanders, and Golden Laser cutting systems); and packaging and facility solutions (IPG tapes and films, Trioworld sustainable stretch films, corrugated boxes, and custom moving-industry supplies). A proprietary custom sheet conversion service at Toronto and Winnipeg facilities reduces customer paper waste by up to 30%. Revenue is generated through product resale margins on paper, equipment, and packaging sourced from global mills and manufacturers, supplemented by credit-account interest income (1.5% monthly, 19.56% APR) and equipment service revenue. Customers access products through account-based direct sales with Sales Consultants, packaging specialists, and the self-serve gospicers platform, with pricing tiered by account status and not publicly disclosed.
Spicers firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Spicers
- Legal name
- Spicers Canada ULC
- Website
- https://spicers.ca
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- Spicers Canada is a national distributor of paper, graphic systems, and packaging products serving commercial printers, sign producers, packaging manufacturers, and industrial customers across Canada via 18-21 regional warehouses and the gospicers.ca B2B platform. The company is a division of CNG.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Spicers industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Paper and Packaging Distribution
- NAICS
- Printing and Writing Paper Merchant Wholesalers (42411), Stationery and Office Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (42412), Industrial and Personal Service Paper Merchant Wholesalers (42413)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Paper & Paper Products (5110), Wholesale-Professional & Commercial Equipment & Supplies (5040)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Paper & Printing Grades Distribution (Printing/Writing, Newsprint, Specialty) (IMAMAIAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Packaging Papers & Converted Paper Distribution (Corrugated sheets/boxes, Paper bags, Labels, Stationery) (IMAMAIAI), Office Supplies Wholesale Distribution (CRAOALAF)
Keywords
Where Spicers is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Vaughan
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices15 records
Markets served
Spicers business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Paper and Specialty Products Distribution: Distribution of commercial print, business, and specialty paper products to Canadian businesses. Revenue generated through product mark-up on paper sourced from global mills and sold through direct sales and e-commerce channels.
- Graphic Systems and Solutions Distribution: Distribution of conventional pressroom solutions, sign and display equipment (HP Latex, Epson), supplies, and finishing equipment. Revenue from equipment sales, consumables, and service.
- Packaging and Facility Solutions Distribution: Distribution of corrugated boxes, packaging materials (IPG, Trioworld), and facility supplies to automotive, moving, and industrial sectors. Revenue through product resale.
- Credit Account Sales: Sales to credit-approved commercial customers with payment terms. Interest charged on overdue accounts at 1.5% per month (19.56% per annum).
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Monthly | Credit Account Pricing |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Spicers product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Spicers distributes fine paper, specialty papers, graphic systems and equipment, and industrial packaging supplies to commercial printers, sign and display producers, packaging manufacturers, corporate offices, industrial facilities, and moving companies across Canada. Distribution is delivered through a national network of regional warehouses, a direct field sales team, and the gospicers B2B e-commerce platform offering 24/7 ordering with real-time inventory and account pricing.
Product overview
Spicers operates as a comprehensive distribution partner offering three interconnected product categories unified by the gospicers online B2B platform: Paper and Specialty Products (including own brands Supreme/Supreme Digital, Pacesetter/Pacesetter Digital, exclusive Fedrigoni luxury papers, and Sustana recycled papers); Graphic Systems and Solutions (encompassing HP latex printers, Epson professional printers, Orafol graphic films, Arlon products, Monti Antonio calandres, and Golden Laser cutting systems for dye sublimation workflows); and Packaging and Facility Solutions (featuring IPG packaging products, Trioworld sustainable packaging, corrugated boxes, and custom moving packaging solutions). The gospicers e-commerce platform serves as the unified access point for all product categories, enabling 24/7 ordering with real-time inventory and custom pricing across the entire portfolio.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- gospicers B2B E-commerce Platform
Quantifiable outcome
- Custom sheet compression reduces paper waste by up to 30% and cuts paper costs by approximately 3% per inch cut from standard sizes
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Spicers
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Spicers technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Spicers partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- HP (Hewlett-Packard)coreSpicers Canada expanded its partnership with HP in August 2025 to include the full HP Latex printer lineup, extending beyond previous FS Series superwide printers. HP Latex printers are used for sign and display, vehicle wraps, and wide-format graphics applications. Partnership provides equipment, consumables, and service support.
- Warehouse Supply Inc.minorAcquired by Spicers Canada in June 2023. Warehouse Supply expanded Spicers' packaging and facility solutions offerings.
- TG GraphicsminorAcquired by Spicers Canada in May 2023. TG Graphics was a respected distributor of graphic arts products, expanding Spicers' presence in the graphics solutions market.
- Duroflex Specialty Papers Inc.coreAcquired by Spicers Canada in May 2022. Duroflex, based in Mississauga, Ontario, operated for 22 years as a specialty papers distributor with a focus on unique product solutions and service excellence. Acquisition extended Spicers' paper and specialty product segments.
- All Graphic SuppliescoreAcquired by Spicers Canada in February 2020. All Graphic Supplies operated from Mississauga, Ontario with seven locations in Canada and the Caribbean (Trinidad and Tobago). It was a leading distributor of wide-format, textile, digital label, and UV industrial printing solutions since 1992. Now operates as an independent division of Spicers Canada.
- Epson CanadacorePartnership began in the late 1990s with Epson's first digital proofing printer. Spicers distributes the full Epson professional printing lineup including SureColor P series (photo/proofing), SureColor T series (CAD/technical/graphics), and DTG, dye sublimation, solvent, resin, UV, and aqueous wide-format technologies. Epson's PrecisionCore technology powers these printers.
- FedrigonicoreSpicers is the exclusive Canadian distributor for a curated collection of Fedrigoni's flagship papers—83 SKUs designed for luxury packaging and creative communications. Fedrigoni is an Italian manufacturer known for craftsmanship, luxury, and performance since 1888. Papers feature rich textures, exceptional finishes, and are stocked locally by Spicers.
- SustanacoreSpicers distributes Sustana recycled papers in Canada, including Opaque Digital, EnviroDigital, EnviroJet, EnviroPrint, EnviroSatin, EnviroCover, HiBulk, Kraft, EnviroBook, EnviroCopy, and more. Sustana's papers contain 30–100% recycled fibers and support circular economy with 250,000+ tonnes diverted from landfill annually.
- IPG (Intertape Polymer Group)coreSpicers distributes IPG sustainable packaging solutions including water-activated tape (WAT), StretchFLEX SF machine stretch film, and ExlfilmPlus GPS shrink film. IPG is a global packaging industry leader offering innovative products designed for efficiency, sustainability, and performance.
- TrioworldcoreSpicers partnered with Trioworld North America offering sustainable stretch films containing post-consumer recycled (PCR) content. Products include Vmaxx Lean, Vmaxx Loop (30% PCR), Axis Lean, Axis Loop (30% PCR), and stretch hood films (up to 50% PCR). Trioworld holds EcoVadis Platinum (top 1% globally) and APR recognition for its circular economy products.
- Orafol AmericascoreSpicers is a partner of Orafol Americas, a global leader in premium vinyl graphic films, digital print media, laminating films, and reflective products. The partnership covers the full range of ORAJET, ORACAL, ORAGUARD, ORALITE, and Orabond products for sign making, vehicle wraps, and industrial applications. Spicers won the Orafol Star Partner Award 2025.
- Monti AntoniominorSpicers distributes Monti Antonio calanders (T02, T03, T05) for dye sublimation thermal transfer in commercial textile printing. These calanders provide stable, repeatable heat transfer on extended production runs for textile display and apparel applications.
- Golden LaserminorSpicers distributes Golden Laser textile cutting systems (CJGV and Smart Laser models) for automated textile cutting in dye sublimation workflows. Systems read printed patterns and perform precision cuts synchronized with production throughput.
- Canadian Association of Movers (ACD)minorSpicers is a proud member of the Canadian Association of Movers (ACD), which helps the company stay ahead of industry trends, compliance standards, and best practices when serving the moving and logistics sector with packaging supplies.
- Arlon GraphicsminorFeatured equipment partner for graphic films and vinyl solutions. Spicers distributes Arlon products as part of its sign and display solutions portfolio.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Spicers competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Lindenmeyr Munroe: Lindenmeyr Munroe is one of the largest US distributors of commercial printing papers, business papers, and packaging supplies. It is the closest US analog to Spicers' paper and packaging distribution model, serving printers, publishers, and corporate buyers with a national warehouse footprint.
- Veritiv (formerly xpedx and Unisource): Veritiv is a major North American distributor of print, publishing, packaging, and facility solutions, formed from the merger of xpedx and Unisource. It competes directly with Spicers in commercial print paper and packaging distribution, and is a natural comparison for the three-category distribution platform.
- Kelly Spicers (other CNG divisions): Kelly Spicers is the US distribution sister-division of Spicers Canada, also part of CNG. It distributes fine papers, packaging, and graphic supplies to US customers with the same three-category model, making it the most operationally and strategically comparable peer.
- Cascades Inc. Cascades is a Canadian manufacturer and distributor of packaging, tissue, and specialty paper products. While vertically integrated into manufacturing, its Canadian footprint and overlapping customer base in packaging and paper make it a relevant comparable for Spicers' packaging and paper distribution.
- Imperial Dade: Imperial Dade is a large North American distributor of foodservice packaging, janitorial, and industrial supplies. Its scale, multi-category distribution model, and family-owned private structure make it a useful operational and financial comparable for Spicers' packaging and facility solutions segment.
- NAPCO (National Paper & Packaging): NAPCO is a US-based distributor of paper, packaging, and janitorial/sanitation supplies to commercial printers, manufacturers, and facility operators. Its product mix and customer base overlap closely with Spicers' packaging and facility solutions segment.
Regional players
- Domtar (Paper Excellence): Domtar is a Canadian-based manufacturer and distributor of pulp, paper, and packaging products. It supplies through distribution channels and serves many of the same commercial print and packaging customers as Spicers in Canada, though its primary business is upstream paper manufacturing.
- The Marco Group: The Marco Group is a Canadian distributor of commercial print, packaging, and facility supplies. Its regional focus and three-category distribution model make it a relevant in-market comparable to Spicers, though smaller in scale.
- Brousseau et Fils (now part of CNG ecosystem): Brousseau is a Quebec-based distributor of paper, packaging, and cleaning products serving the Canadian market. Its regional Quebec footprint and overlapping product mix with Spicers make it a relevant regional comparable.
Others
- Central National Gottesman Inc. (parent): Central National Gottesman is the $10B fifth-generation family-owned parent of Spicers Canada. While not a public peer, understanding CNG's broader distribution platform, capital allocation framework, and global footprint is essential context for evaluating Spicers as a private division.
Market position
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Spicers social profiles
Digital presenceSpicers financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Spicers leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Spicers subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
Spicers funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Spicers M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Spicers
What does Spicers do?
Spicers distributes fine paper, specialty papers, graphic systems and equipment, and industrial packaging supplies to commercial printers, sign and display producers, packaging manufacturers, corporate offices, industrial facilities, and moving companies across Canada. Distribution is delivered through a national network of regional warehouses, a direct field sales team, and the gospicers B2B e-commerce platform offering 24/7 ordering with real-time inventory and account pricing.
Is Spicers a public or private company?
Spicers is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Spicers founded?
Spicers was founded in 1986. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Spicers based?
Spicers is headquartered in Vaughan, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Spicers make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Paper and Specialty Products Distribution is the primary driver. The others are graphic Systems and Solutions Distribution, packaging and Facility Solutions Distribution and credit Account Sales.
Who are Spicers's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Lindenmeyr Munroe, Veritiv (formerly xpedx and Unisource), Kelly Spicers (other CNG divisions), Cascades Inc., Imperial Dade and NAPCO (National Paper & Packaging). Regional players are Domtar (Paper Excellence), The Marco Group and Brousseau et Fils (now part of CNG ecosystem). Central National Gottesman Inc. (parent) is listed as an others.
Does Spicers have an API?
No public API is recorded for Spicers.
What industry is Spicers in?
Spicers's product category is Paper and Packaging Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAMAIAF, Paper & Printing Grades Distribution (Printing/Writing, Newsprint, Specialty), with a secondary code of IMAMAIAI, Packaging Papers & Converted Paper Distribution (Corrugated sheets/boxes, Paper bags, Labels, Stationery). Its NAICS code is 42411 and its SIC code is 5110.