What Whitlam Group does

Whitlam Group, legally Whitlam Label Company, Inc., is a privately held custom label manufacturer founded in 1971 and headquartered in Center Line, Michigan, operating from a 120,000 square foot integrated facility supporting manufacturing, finishing, packaging, and warehousing. The company designs and produces engineered labels and bonding solutions for automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers (Ford, GM, Toyota, Honda, Volvo, Bosch, Continental, Magna, ZF), as well as industrial, consumer goods, food and beverage, government, and cannabis customers. Its product portfolio spans decorative labels, extended content labels, functional packaging, harsh environment labels, product identification and part marking, brand security, promotional solutions (coupons, games, QR codes), and engineered bonding solutions including 3M VHB tape conversion. Manufacturing capabilities include flexographic printing up to 17 inches wide with up to 12 colors per pass, digital printing for short runs, and custom die-cut converting with tolerances down to ±0.1mm.

Whitlam generates revenue primarily through project-based custom label orders priced via quote-based estimates determined by quantity, materials, printing technique, and finishing options, with NET 30 terms and ±10% over/under-run tolerance. The go-to-market is enterprise direct sales, with a website quote request system that funnels leads to a sales team responding within 24 hours. Additional revenue comes from finishing services (slitting, rewinding, assembly), custom packaging, and warehouse management programs offered as bundled or standalone services. The company holds IATF 16949:2016, ISO 14001:2015, UL Authorized Label Supplier, and CSA certifications, and is a 3M certified converter and UL/CSA authorized supplier, positioning it for regulated automotive and industrial contracts. Distribution is domestic (United States) with no public e-commerce channel and a customer base concentrated in the Midwest, particularly Southeast Michigan, leveraging proximity to the U.S. automotive industry.

Name

Whitlam Group

Legal name

Whitlam Label Company, Inc.

Website

https://whitlam.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Whitlam Group is a privately held Michigan-based custom label manufacturer serving automotive OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers, plus industrial, consumer goods, and cannabis markets, with engineered bonding solutions, flexographic and digital printing, and certified quality systems.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Label Manufacturing

NAICS

Converted Paper Product Manufacturing (3222)

SIC

Commercial Printing (2750)

akta.pro primary industry

Paper Labels & Paper-Based Release Liners (IMALACAK)

Keywords

• Custom label manufacturing
• Flexographic printing services
• Automotive labeling solutions
• Engineered label solutions
• Industrial packaging labels

Headquarters

HQ city

Center Line

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Label Manufacturing: Whitlam Group generates revenue through the manufacture and sale of custom labels and engineered solutions. This includes decorative labels, functional packaging labels, harsh environment labels, promotional solutions (coupons, games, sweepstakes), brand security labels, and custom die-cut converting products. Revenue is generated through one-time project-based orders with pricing based on quantity, materials, printing complexity, and finishing options. Terms are NET 30 days.
2. Finishing, Packaging & Warehousing Services: Additional revenue streams include finishing services (slitting, rewinding, assembly), custom packaging solutions, and warehouse management with inventory control. These services are bundled with label orders or sold as standalone services for customers requiring fulfillment, storage, and controlled handling of label inventory.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Whitlam Group is a custom label manufacturer producing decorative, functional, and engineered labels for automotive, industrial, consumer goods, cannabis, government, and promotional markets. The company operates flexographic and digital printing presses, custom die-cut converting equipment with ±0.1mm tolerances, and offers integrated finishing, packaging, warehousing, in-house lab testing, and graphic design services from its 120,000 square foot facility in Center Line, Michigan.

Product overview

Whitlam Group is a custom label manufacturing company organized into specialized business units offering a comprehensive portfolio of labeling solutions. The product suite includes Label & Packaging Solutions (decorative labels, extended content labels, functional packaging, tags), Promotional Solutions (coupons, games and sweepstakes, QR codes), Engineered Solutions (harsh environment labels, product ID and part marking, functional components and protective films, engineered bonding solutions, double-sided tapes, emblems), Brand Security solutions, Custom Solutions, and Print-On-Demand services. The company serves diverse markets including Automotive, Consumer Goods, Industrial & Durable, Promotional, Government, and Cannabis. Core manufacturing services include flexographic printing (up to 17 inches wide, 12 colors), digital printing, custom die-cut converting (±0.1mm tolerances), graphic design/pre-press, finishing/packaging/warehousing, in-house lab testing, and materials/inks/coatings. Whitlam Group has over 50 years of experience in the automotive industry and holds IATF 16949 and ISO 14001 certifications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Engineered Solutions Brand: Business unit within Whitlam Group focused on engineered labeling solutions

Products and services

• Label & Packaging Solutions Comprehensive labeling solutions for product packaging including decorative labels, extended content labels, functional packaging, and tags designed to enhance product appearance and provide essential product information.
• Promotional Solutions Marketing-focused label solutions including coupons, games and sweepstakes, and QR codes designed to increase brand visibility, drive sales, and enhance customer engagement.
• Engineered Solutions Custom-engineered label solutions for complex requirements including harsh environment labels, product identification, functional components, and protective films with 5–10 year outdoor durability.
• Brand Security Authentication and brand protection solutions including tamper-evident seals, holographic stickers, and security features to prevent counterfeiting and ensure product integrity.
• Custom Solutions Tailored label and packaging solutions designed to meet specific customer requirements and unique application challenges.
• Print-On-Demand On-demand printing services allowing for quick turnaround and flexible quantities for variable data and customized label requirements.
• Flexographic Printing Services Flexographic printing services up to 17 inches wide with up to 12 colors in a single pass, supporting paper, film, and metallic films with in-line rotary screen and foil capabilities.
• Digital Printing Services Cost-effective digital printing for short runs and high-quality jobs with efficient changeover, combinable with foil stamping and other offline processes.
• Graphic Design & Pre-Press Services In-house graphic design and pre-press services including preflight checks, color management, artwork optimization, and print-ready file preparation for labels and packaging.
• Finishing, Packaging & Warehousing Services Finishing services including slitting, rewinding, and assembly; custom packaging and warehousing with 120,000 square foot facility and warehouse management system.
• In-House Lab Testing Services Laboratory testing services for product validation and development including testing for harsh environment conditions.
• Materials, Inks & Coatings Services Materials selection support and coating services for labels including sustainable options with eco-friendly materials.

Quantifiable outcome

• Precision down to ±0.1mm tolerance capability for custom die-cut converting
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers19 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• FLEXconcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWhitlam Group partnered with FLEXcon to create the Sustainable Ultra Thin Material product line, which contains 30% post-consumer waste. This partnership supports Whitlam's sustainability initiatives and provides eco-friendly label material options for customers seeking environmentally responsible packaging solutions.
• 3McoreTechnology or IntegrationWhitlam Group is a 3M certified converter, specializing in 3M VHB (Very High Bond) acrylic foam tape solutions. This partnership enables Whitlam to provide engineered bonding solutions that replace mechanical fasteners, offering invisible bonds with strong durability and waterproof sealing for automotive, electronics, and industrial applications.
• Gasket Fabricators Association (GFA)minorOthersIndustry association membership displaying GFA logo on website footer, indicating membership in the gasket fabrication industry association.
• Flexographic Trade Association (FTA)minorOthersIndustry association membership displaying FTA logo on website footer, indicating membership in the flexographic printing industry association.
• Material Marketing Association (MMA)minorOthersIndustry association membership displaying MMA logo on website footer.
• TLMI (Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute)minorOthersIndustry association membership displaying TLMI logo on website footer, indicating membership in the tag and label manufacturing industry association.
• AIAG (Automotive Industry Action Group)minorOthersAutomotive industry association membership. Whitlam Group is an AIAG member with membership expiring July 31, 2025.
• AASA (Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association)minorOthersAutomotive aftermarket industry association membership displaying AASA logo on website footer.
• UL (Underwriters Laboratories)coreTechnology or IntegrationWhitlam Group is a UL (Underwriters Laboratories) authorized label supplier. Labels must pass testing per ANSI/UL969 Standard for weathering legibility, defacement, chemical exposure, moisture exposure, aging, adhesion, and abrasion.
• CSA GroupcoreTechnology or IntegrationCSA Group certification for automotive and industrial labeling standards. CSA certified status enables Whitlam to serve markets requiring CSA compliance.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• 3M: Whitlam's principal substrate and adhesive supplier and strategic partner (3M VHB tapes, certified converter program). Comparable as the upstream materials supplier whose converter network Whitlam operates within, and as a potential competitor if 3M expands downstream converting capabilities.

Direct peers

• WS Packaging Group: US-based label converter offering prime labels, shrink sleeves, and extended-content labels across CPG, food & beverage, and industrial markets. Comparable mid-market North American converter with similar product portfolio and customer verticals.
• Resource Label Group: PE-backed roll of regional US label converters serving CPG, automotive, and industrial markets through flexographic and digital printing. Closely comparable business model — multi-site label converter with similar end-market mix and acquisition-led growth strategy.
• Fort Dearborn Company: US-based label converter specializing in pressure-sensitive labels, shrink sleeves, and flexible packaging for consumer goods. Directly comparable as a mid-market North American label converter with overlapping flexographic/digital capabilities and similar customer verticals.
• Multi-Color Corporation: Major US-based label converter (now operating under CCL Industries) specializing in premium labels for consumer products and automotive. Directly comparable flexographic/digital converter with overlapping automotive and CPG customers and similar engineered-label capabilities.
• Tursso Companies: Mid-market US label converter serving consumer products, nutraceutical, and industrial markets with flexographic and digital capabilities. Comparable scale and business model, with similar custom-engineered solutions orientation.

Broad incumbents

• Avery Dennison: Global leader in pressure-sensitive label materials and adhesives, with a massive Label and Packaging Materials segment serving CPG and industrial markets. Comparable as a label-supply incumbent whose materials feed many of the same end-customers Whitlam serves, though it operates at far greater scale and is materials-focused rather than a converter.
• CCL Industries: One of the world's largest specialty label converters following its Multi-Color acquisition, with deep automotive, consumer, and healthcare exposure. Comparable as a multi-national label converter whose automotive business directly overlaps Whitlam's core market, though at substantially greater scale and geographic breadth.
• Brady Corporation: Public manufacturer of identification and label solutions for industrial, safety, and electronics applications. Comparable as an industrial-focused label and identification specialist with overlapping harsh-environment and traceability use cases, though operating at much larger scale with global distribution.

Emerging players

• Berlin Packaging: US-based hybrid packaging supplier offering containers, closures, and labeling services to consumer goods and industrial customers. Comparable as a single-source packaging partner for brand owners, with overlap on label decorating though broader scope into rigid packaging.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/whitlamgroup

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Whitlam Group