Handy Wacks
Handy Wacks Corporation is a 94-year-old family-owned US manufacturer of food-grade disposable waxed paper products serving the commercial foodservice industry, offering interfolded, flat deli, printed, eco-friendly, and custom-printed papers through a 15-firm regional sales rep network across all 50 states and select international markets.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1929
- HeadquartersSparta, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Handy Wacks does
Handy Wacks Corporation is a privately held, family-owned US manufacturer of food-grade disposable waxed paper products serving the commercial foodservice industry. Founded on July 8, 1929 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the company has been continuously controlled by the same family lineage through five generations and is currently led by Chairperson Marcia Fairchild (majority stockholder) and President Henry B. (Hank) Fairchild III, with fifth-generation directors Steven May and Timothy May on the board. Operations are based at a roughly 80,000 square foot facility in Sparta, Michigan, running three shifts daily since 1979, and have been designated a minority woman-owned enterprise. The legal entity is Handy Wacks Corporation, incorporated in Michigan in 1935, with no parent company, subsidiaries, or external institutional investors.
The company's product portfolio spans six categories totaling over 50 SKUs in hundreds of sizes: Interfolded papers (D-Series premium deli, FW-Series heavy food wrap, EZ-Series medium wrap, T-Series light tissue, HK-Series HDPE poly wrap); Flat Deli papers with wet strength and greaseproof options; Printed Deli papers with custom and stock designs; the Green Wacks sub-brand (unbleached chlorine-free paper with soy-based wax reformulation, 100% recycled paperboard packaging, and soybean inks); Concession, Bakery & Butcher products (Star-K certified baking pan liners, butcher rolls, freezer rolls, foil laminated sandwich wraps, patty papers); and Custom Print services delivering 1-3 color logos for restaurant brands. Underlying technology centers on waxed paper manufacturing and the interfolded "pop-up" dispensing format pioneered in 1952, supplemented by 1-3 color flexographic printing and material science for eco-friendly and poly-based variants.
Handy Wacks generates revenue through one-time product sales of disposable foodservice paper consumables at undisclosed pricing, with customers directed to contact the Customer Service Department (800-445-4434) or local sales representatives. Go-to-market is multi-channel: 15 named regional sales representative companies cover the United States for B2B foodservice accounts; wholesale distributors and brokers add mid-market reach; warehouse clubs and cash-and-carry outlets serve home-maker consumers; and the company acts as an international marketing entity with shipping containers reaching Europe and neighboring countries. The customer base spans independent restaurants, delis, pizzerias, sub shops, bakeries, butchers, and multi-location chains (five or more units targeting custom print). No public revenue, funding, or M&A data is disclosed.
Handy Wacks firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Handy Wacks
- Legal name
- Handy Wacks Corporation
- Website
- https://handywacks.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1929
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Handy Wacks Corporation is a 94-year-old family-owned US manufacturer of food-grade disposable waxed paper products serving the commercial foodservice industry, offering interfolded, flat deli, printed, eco-friendly, and custom-printed papers through a 15-firm regional sales rep network across all 50 states and select international markets.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Handy Wacks industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Food Service Disposables
- NAICS
- Paper Bag and Coated and Treated Paper Manufacturing (322220), Sanitary Paper Product Manufacturing (322291)
- SIC
- Plastics, Foil & Coated Paper Bags (2673), Wholesale-Paper & Paper Products (5110)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Wax Paper & Baking/Freezer Paper (CRAJAGAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Foodservice Disposables (cups, plates, bowls, trays, clamshells) (IMAMAHAI), Napkins, Tableware & Foodservice Disposables (Plates, Cups, Cutlery) (CRADALAD)
Keywords
Where Handy Wacks is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sparta
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Handy Wacks business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Disposable Food-Grade Waxed Paper Products: Handy Wacks generates revenue through the manufacture and sale of disposable food-handling paper products to the commercial food service industry, including interfolded papers, flat deli papers, printed deli papers, green/eco-friendly papers, and concession/bakery/butcher products. The company sells through wholesale distributors, brokers, manufacturers' representatives, and directly to large restaurant chains via custom print programs.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels1 record
Handy Wacks product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Handy Wacks manufactures and sells food-grade disposable waxed paper products for the commercial food service industry. Its portfolio includes interfolded papers, flat deli papers, printed deli papers, the eco-friendly Green Wacks line, and concession/bakery/butcher products (baking pan liners, butcher paper rolls, foil sandwich wraps), plus custom 1-3 color printing services for restaurant branding.
Product overview
Handy Wacks is a manufacturer of food-grade disposable waxed paper products for the commercial food service industry, operating for over 94 years. The product portfolio includes six core product lines: (1) Interfolded Products (D-Series, FW-Series, EZ-Series, T-Series, HK-Series) - dry waxed papers in convenient dispenser boxes; (2) Flat Deli Products - flat dry waxed papers with wet strength; (3) Printed Deli Products - custom or stock printed deli papers; (4) Green Wacks - environmentally friendly line using unbleached paper and soy-based wax; (5) Concession, Bakery & Butcher Products - baking pan liners, steak paper, baking cups, hot dog trays, pizza liners, butcher paper rolls, freezer rolls, and foil sandwich wraps; and (6) Custom Print Services - 1-3 color custom printing for brand enhancement. The company serves the foodservice industry across all 50 states and internationally, with products sold through warehouse clubs and cash-and-carry outlets.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Green Wacks: Earth-friendly deli paper products. Unbleached, chlorine-free paper with wax reformulated using soy instead of petroleum. Packaging uses 100% recycled paperboard and soybean inks. Microwavable.
Products and services
- Interfolded Products Dry waxed interfolded papers packed in convenient dispenser boxes for commercial food service. Includes D-Series (Premium Grade Deli), FW-Series (Heavy Grade Food Wrap), EZ-Series (Medium Grade), T-Series (Light Grade Tissue), and HK-Series (High Density Polyethylene) options; all are microwavable.
- Flat Deli Products Flat dry waxed paper with full wet strength, microwavable, and moisture/grease resistant. Available in sizes from 9x12 to 20x22 inches. Includes F-Series, Bulk Packed options, Tissue options, and Greaseproof Papers (GP-Series). Used for basket liners, scale sheets, sandwich/sub/hamburger wraps, food prep dividers, taco wraps, hot dog wraps, pizza sheets, and portion control.
- Printed Deli Products Deli papers printed with custom logos or designs for brand enhancement. Includes base papers, stock printed options, checkerboard prints, and custom printed logo designs for restaurant and foodservice operators.
- Green Wacks (Earth Friendly Products)
- Concession, Bakery & Butcher Products
- Custom Print Services
Companies that use Handy Wacks
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Handy Wacks technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Handy Wacks partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Foodservice Target MarketingcoreRegional sales representative based in Calabasas, CA covering food service accounts in California. Serves as the primary sales contact for customers in that territory, answering questions and assisting with purchasing Handy Wacks products.
- MDR/SterlingcoreRegional sales representative based in Deerfield Beach, FL covering food service accounts in Florida. Contact personnel include Ralph and Karla.
- DYAL Sales CompanycoreRegional sales representative based in Jacksonville, FL covering food service accounts. Offers toll-free number for customer convenience.
- Murray-Weyand SalescoreRegional sales representative based in Atlanta, GA covering food service accounts in Georgia and surrounding areas.
- D.J. Payne CorporationcoreRegional sales representative based in Elk Grove Village, IL covering food service accounts in Illinois.
- Forward-SolutionscoreRegional sales representative based in Noblesville, IN covering food service accounts in Indiana.
- Star SalescoreRegional sales representative based in Covington, LA covering food service accounts in Louisiana.
- Core SalescoreRegional sales representative based in Owasso, OK covering food service accounts in Oklahoma.
- Bay Shore GroupcoreRegional sales representative based in Snow Hill, MD covering food service accounts in Maryland.
- Modern SalescoreRegional sales representative based in North Olmstead, OH covering food service accounts in Ohio.
- Sammson Marketing, Inc.coreRegional sales representative based in Omaha, NE covering food service accounts in Nebraska.
- Merchant SalescoreRegional sales representative based in Brown Summit, NC covering food service accounts in North Carolina.
- Advance SalescoreRegional sales representative based in Oseeso, MN covering food service accounts in Minnesota.
- AcxioncoreRegional sales representative based in Farmington Hills, MI covering food service accounts in Michigan.
- Peterson USAcoreRegional sales representative based in Pittsburgh, PA covering food service accounts in Pennsylvania.
- B A L MarketingcoreRegional sales representative based in Hicksville, NY covering food service accounts in New York.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Handy Wacks competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Dart Container Corporation: Dart Container manufactures a broad range of foodservice disposables including foam, paper, and plastic cups, containers, and lids distributed through foodservice channels that also carry Handy Wacks products, making it an indirect competitor for foodservice operator wallet share.
- Huhtamaki: Huhtamaki is a global foodservice packaging manufacturer producing paper cups, plates, wraps, and foodservice disposables including waxed and greaseproof papers. It is a broad incumbent competing with Handy Wacks across printed and unprinted foodservice paper categories, particularly with larger QSR chains.
- Pactiv Evergreen: Pactiv Evergreen is a large foodservice and foodservice disposables manufacturer offering paper plates, cups, containers, wraps, and a broad range of foodservice paper products. It competes with Handy Wacks as a broad incumbent with much greater scale and a national foodservice distributor footprint.
- Anchor Packaging: Anchor Packaging produces foodservice packaging including cling film, foil, paper wraps, and trays for restaurants and foodservice operators. It overlaps with Handy Wacks in sandwich wrap, foil laminated wraps, and concession/foodservice paper categories at larger scale.
- Genpak: Genpak manufactures foodservice packaging including foam, paper, and plastic containers and wraps sold through foodservice distributors. It competes with Handy Wacks in the foodservice disposables category, particularly in concession and bakery paper applications.
Emerging players
- Eco-Products (Pactiv): Eco-Products specializes in compostable and recycled-content foodservice disposables including plates, bowls, napkins, and wraps. It is an emerging/eco-focused comparable to Handy Wacks' Green Wacks line, competing for environmentally conscious foodservice accounts.
Direct peers
- Inline Packaging: Inline Packaging manufactures foodservice paper products including interfolded deli paper, waxed tissue, sandwich wraps, and basket liners sold through distributors. It directly competes with Handy Wacks' core interfolded and flat deli product lines in the same foodservice channels.
- Bagcraft Papercon (Novolex): Bagcraft Papercon, now part of Novolex, produces specialty foodservice papers including sandwich wraps, basket liners, baking pan liners, and printed deli paper, directly competing with Handy Wacks across multiple categories including custom-printed and stock waxed products.
- Hoffmaster: Hoffmaster is a US manufacturer of specialty foodservice paper products including printed and plain napkins, placemats, tablecovers, and custom-printed deli paper for restaurants. It is the closest direct comparable to Handy Wacks given overlapping custom-print foodservice paper capabilities and similar QSR customer base.
Others
- Restaurant Depot: Restaurant Depot is a major cash-and-carry foodservice distributor that carries Handy Wacks-style deli papers and foodservice wraps among thousands of SKUs. It is relevant as a key distribution channel peer for Handy Wacks' consumer/cash-and-carry motion rather than a direct manufacturer competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Handy Wacks social profiles
Digital presenceHandy Wacks compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Handy Wacks financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Handy Wacks leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
Handy Wacks funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Handy Wacks 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 Handy Wacks
What does Handy Wacks do?
Handy Wacks manufactures and sells food-grade disposable waxed paper products for the commercial food service industry. Its portfolio includes interfolded papers, flat deli papers, printed deli papers, the eco-friendly Green Wacks line, and concession/bakery/butcher products (baking pan liners, butcher paper rolls, foil sandwich wraps), plus custom 1-3 color printing services for restaurant branding.
Is Handy Wacks a public or private company?
Handy Wacks is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Handy Wacks founded?
Handy Wacks was founded in 1929. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Handy Wacks based?
Handy Wacks is headquartered in Sparta, United States, in the North America region.
How does Handy Wacks make money?
One revenue line is on record: disposable Food-Grade Waxed Paper Products.
Who are Handy Wacks's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Dart Container Corporation, Huhtamaki, Pactiv Evergreen, Anchor Packaging and Genpak. Eco-Products (Pactiv) is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Inline Packaging, Bagcraft Papercon (Novolex) and Hoffmaster. Restaurant Depot is listed as an others.
Does Handy Wacks have an API?
No public API is recorded for Handy Wacks.
What industry is Handy Wacks in?
Handy Wacks's product category is Food Service Disposables. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAJAGAE, Wax Paper & Baking/Freezer Paper, with a secondary code of IMAMAHAI, Foodservice Disposables (cups, plates, bowls, trays, clamshells). Its NAICS code is 322220 and its SIC code is 2673.