Better Packages
Better Packages is a 108-year-old US manufacturer of water-activated tape dispensers and carton sealing equipment, serving e-commerce, automotive, electronics, and retail shippers globally through distributors and direct online sales as a subsidiary of IPG (Intertape Polymer Group).
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1917
- HeadquartersAnsonia, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Better Packages does
Better Packages, Inc. is a US-based manufacturer of water-activated tape dispensers and carton sealing equipment, founded in 1917 and headquartered in Ansonia, Connecticut. The company engineers and produces both manual dispensers (including the Curby Mini-Taper BP222 for low-volume environments) and electric dispensers (such as the Better Pack 555eS and 755eS series used by the world's largest e-commerce companies), along with carton sealing machines and replacement parts. Its water-activated tape technology delivers a 21% efficiency gain over plastic tape, provides tamper-evident sealing, and reduces packer repetitive-stress injuries. The company operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of IPG (Intertape Polymer Group), which supplies the Central brand of water-activated tape consumed by Better Packages equipment, creating a vertically integrated hardware-plus-consumables offering.
In 2024, Better Packages extended its portfolio with the Curby sub-brand of curbside-recyclable paper packaging products, including the Curby Mailer and Curby Mini-Pack (both featuring patent-pending honeycomb paper cushioning), the Curby Mini-Taper, and Curby Tape. This expansion targets the sustainability shift in e-commerce shipping. The company sells and services equipment globally through an Authorized Distributor Network that includes major industrial suppliers such as Uline, Grainger, MSC Industrial, and McMaster-Carr, while parts and smaller products are also sold directly online at betterpackages.com within the 48 contiguous US states.
Pricing is publicly disclosed on the company website, with units such as the BP222 Mini-Taper at $172.95-$209.95 MSRP and tape consumables priced per roll. Customer segmentation is vertical-driven, spanning E-commerce/B2B (primary), Automotive Aftermarket, Electronics and Computers, Home Goods, Luxury Goods, Sporting Goods, Jewelry and Accessories, and Beauty and Cosmetics. The company maintains dedicated sales, technical support, and customer service functions, and is led by CEO Philip White.
Better Packages firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Better Packages
- Legal name
- Better Packages, Inc.
- Website
- https://betterpackages.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1917
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Better Packages is a 108-year-old US manufacturer of water-activated tape dispensers and carton sealing equipment, serving e-commerce, automotive, electronics, and retail shippers globally through distributors and direct online sales as a subsidiary of IPG (Intertape Polymer Group).
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Better Packages industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Packaging Machinery
- NAICS
- Packaging Machinery Manufacturing (333993), Folding Paperboard Box Manufacturing (322212), Paper Bag and Coated and Treated Paper Manufacturing (32222)
- SIC
- Paperboard Containers & Boxes (2650)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Protective Paper Packaging (Honeycomb, Paper Cushioning, Paper Wrap) (IMALACAH)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Compostable & Bio-Based Packaging (PLA/PHA, Starch Blends, Cellulose Films) (IMALAMAB)
Keywords
Where Better Packages is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Ansonia
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Better Packages business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Tape Dispenser Hardware Sales: Sale of manual and electric water-activated tape dispensers including models like Better Pack 333, 500, 555e, and 755e series, plus the Curby Mini-Taper.
- Tape and Parts Sales: Sale of water-activated tape (including Central brand), replacement parts, and accessories. Products sold directly online including Curby Tape and various dispenser parts.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Curby Mini-Taper (BP222) - Manual Tape Dispenser |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Venom Light Duty Tape (4 rolls for BP222) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels3 records
Better Packages product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Better Packages manufactures manual and electric water-activated tape dispensers, carton sealing machines, and related consumables (water-activated tape, replacement parts) for carton sealing applications. The company also produces the Curby line of sustainable, curbside-recyclable paper packaging products including the Curby Mailer, Curby Mini-Pack, Curby Mini-Taper, and Curby Tape. The company has been engineering and manufacturing water-activated tape dispensers since 1917 and operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of IPG (Intertape Polymer Group).
Product overview
Better Packages offers a comprehensive portfolio of water-activated tape dispensers and sustainable packaging solutions. The core product line includes manual tape dispensers (such as the Curby Mini-Taper BP222 for low-volume environments), electric water-activated tape dispensers (including the Better Pack 555eS and 755eS series for high-volume operations), and carton sealing machines. The company has expanded into sustainable packaging with its Curby sub-brand, which includes the Curby Mailer (paper mailer with honeycomb cushioning), Curby Mini-Pack (paper cushioning material), Curby Mini-Taper (compact tape dispenser), and Curby Tape (reinforced water-activated tape). All products are supported by a global network of authorized distributors, and the company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of IPG (Intertape Polymer Group).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Curby: Curby line of sustainable packaging products including Curby Mailer, Curby Mini-Pack, Curby Mini-Taper, and Curby Tape - eco-friendly, curbside-recyclable paper packaging solutions.
Quantifiable outcome
- 21% efficiency increase
Companies that use Better Packages
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Better Packages technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Better Packages partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- IPG (Intertape Polymer Group)coreBetter Packages is a wholly-owned subsidiary of IPG (Intertape Polymer Group). IPG is the manufacturer of the Central brand of water-activated tape and a leading manufacturer in the packaging industry. This vertical integration provides Better Packages with tape supply and manufacturing capabilities.
- Central Brand (IPG)coreThe Central brand of water-activated tape, manufactured by parent company IPG, is sold alongside Better Packages equipment. This provides integrated carton sealing solutions combining hardware and consumables.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Better Packages competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Easypack (Pregis): Easypack specializes in paper cushioning systems and mailer packaging for e-commerce and fulfillment, directly overlapping with Better Packages' Curby honeycomb paper cushioning products in the same sustainable mailer category.
- Sealed Air Corporation: Sealed Air is a global protective packaging company whose Cryovac and SEALED AIR brands include bubble, foam, and paper-based mailers (e.g., TempGuard, Bubble Wrap, sustainable mailers). It competes with both Better Packages' Curby line and its dispenser/tape offerings in fulfillment and shipping packaging.
- Pregis LLC: Pregis manufactures protective packaging including paper cushioning, mailers, and automated packing systems. Its Sharp Packaging and Easypack paper systems directly compete with Curby Mailer/Mini-Pack in sustainable e-commerce protective packaging.
- Storopack Hans Reichenecker GmbH: Storopack provides protective packaging with paper, foam, and air pillow solutions for fulfillment and shipping. Its PAPERplus and paper mailer lines overlap with Better Packages' Curby Mailer and Mini-Pack product positioning in sustainable protective packaging.
- Ranpak Holdings: Ranpak is a direct peer in paper-based protective packaging, offering PaperLoc, WrapPack, and honeycomb-style paper cushioning systems. It competes head-to-head with Better Packages' Curby Mailer and Mini-Pack in sustainable e-commerce cushioning and mailers.
Broad incumbents
- 3M Company: 3M manufactures industrial and packaging tapes and a broad range of industrial equipment through its Industrial Business Group. Its packaging tape portfolio competes with water-activated tape in carton sealing applications across industrial shippers served by Better Packages.
- Novolex Holdings: Novolex is a large-scale manufacturer of paper and plastic packaging products including bags, wraps, and food service items. It is a broad incumbent whose Eco-Products and paper-based packaging lines compete in adjacent sustainable packaging categories to Better Packages' Curby line.
- Intertape Polymer Group (IPG): IPG is the parent company of Better Packages and a leading manufacturer of packaging tapes and films including the Central brand of water-activated tape. It is a broad incumbent in packaging consumables and adjacent machinery markets that overlap with Better Packages' dispenser and tape offerings.
Emerging players
- Packsize International: Packsize offers on-demand, right-sized box-making systems that compete in the e-commerce fulfillment packaging space alongside water-activated tape dispensers and paper mailers. Its approach could substitute some Curby Mailer and traditional carton-sealing use cases as shippers optimize for dimensional pricing.
- HexcelPack: HexcelPack produces paper-based protective packaging, including honeycomb cushioning systems for e-commerce and industrial shipping. Its paper cushioning products directly overlap with Better Packages' Curby Mini-Pack and Curby Mailer patent-pending honeycomb offerings.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Better Packages social profiles
Digital presenceBetter Packages financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Better Packages leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Better Packages funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Better Packages 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 Better Packages
What does Better Packages do?
Better Packages manufactures manual and electric water-activated tape dispensers, carton sealing machines, and related consumables (water-activated tape, replacement parts) for carton sealing applications. The company also produces the Curby line of sustainable, curbside-recyclable paper packaging products including the Curby Mailer, Curby Mini-Pack, Curby Mini-Taper, and Curby Tape. The company has been engineering and manufacturing water-activated tape dispensers since 1917 and operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of IPG (Intertape Polymer Group).
Is Better Packages a public or private company?
Better Packages is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Better Packages founded?
Better Packages was founded in 1917. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Better Packages based?
Better Packages is headquartered in Ansonia, United States, in the North America region.
How does Better Packages make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Tape Dispenser Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are tape and Parts Sales.
Who are Better Packages's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Easypack (Pregis), Sealed Air Corporation, Pregis LLC, Storopack Hans Reichenecker GmbH and Ranpak Holdings. Broad incumbents are 3M Company, Novolex Holdings and Intertape Polymer Group (IPG). Emerging players are Packsize International and HexcelPack.
Does Better Packages have an API?
No public API is recorded for Better Packages.
What industry is Better Packages in?
Better Packages's product category is Packaging Machinery. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMALACAH, Protective Paper Packaging (Honeycomb, Paper Cushioning, Paper Wrap), with a secondary code of IMALAMAB, Compostable & Bio-Based Packaging (PLA/PHA, Starch Blends, Cellulose Films). Its NAICS code is 333993 and its SIC code is 2650.