Tri-Star Packaging Supplies

What Tri-Star Packaging Supplies does

Tri-Star Packaging Supplies is a UK-based B2B distributor of food packaging, disposable supplies, cleaning chemicals, janitorial products, paper hygiene, catering equipment, and food and beverage products, serving primarily the hospitality and food service sector including restaurants, cafes, takeaways, food delivery operators, hotels, and catering businesses. Founded over 25 years ago as a start-up, the company has grown to describe itself as the UK's leading food-to-go packaging supplier and now operates as a business unit of Bunzl UK Ltd, the UK arm of the London-listed international distribution group Bunzl PLC. Its registered address is Bunzl UK Ltd, York House, 45 Seymour Street, London.

The company's core commercial platform is a B2B e-commerce storefront at tri-star.co.uk, built on a Hybris-based e-commerce system, offering account registration, multi-site ordering for operators with multiple locations, online catalogue browsing, and sell-through velocity indicators. Distribution is supplemented by phone-based inside sales (020 8443 9100) and a contact form for bespoke requests. Marketing spans organic social (Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube), SEO-optimised product taxonomy, digital catalogues distributed via ipaper.io, and email newsletter. The product catalogue spans nine categories (Food Packaging, Disposables, Chemicals, Labelling and Packaging, Janitorial and Safety, Paper Hygiene, Food and Beverage, Catering Equipment, and Sustainable Packaging) and is anchored by several owned sub-brands: Sustain (compostable plant-based packaging), Revive (recyclable packaging), Cleanline (professional cleaning chemicals), Gen-Label (food allergen labelling, via partnership), and Portabrands (disposable drink carriers, via partnership).

Tri-Star's revenue model is B2B distribution of physical goods on a pay-as-you-go, account-based pricing structure with no publicly disclosed tier system, selling consumables in cases, packs, and bulk quantities on a repeat-purchase cycle to UK hospitality and food service operators. The company is led by Managing Director Alex Noake, and its strategic differentiation rests on a 25+ year brand presence, the breadth of its one-stop-shop catalogue, custom product development capability, and its integration with Bunzl's procurement and distribution scale.

Name

Tri-Star Packaging Supplies

Legal name

Tri-Star Packaging Supplies (operated by Bunzl UK Ltd)

Website

https://tri-star.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Tri-Star Packaging Supplies is a UK-based B2B distributor of food packaging, disposables, cleaning chemicals, janitorial supplies, and catering equipment, serving the hospitality and food service sector. It operates as a business unit of Bunzl UK Ltd and sells primarily through its tri-star.co.uk e-commerce platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Food Packaging & Hospitality Supplies

NAICS

Confectionery Merchant Wholesalers (42445)

SIC

Wholesale-Paper & Paper Products (5110), Wholesale-Professional & Commercial Equipment & Supplies (5040)

akta.pro primary industry

Foodservice/To-Go Packaging (Cups, Clamshells, Cutlery) (IMALAHAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disposable Tableware (Plates, Cups, Cutlery) (CRAJAGAG), Napkins, Tableware & Foodservice Disposables (Plates, Cups, Cutlery) (CRADALAD), Hygiene Packaging & Dispensing Systems (Dispenser Systems, Packs) (IMAMAGAJ)

Keywords

• Food packaging supplies
• Disposable catering products
• Janitorial cleaning chemicals
• Hospitality packaging distribution
• Sustainable food packaging

Headquarters

HQ city

Enfield

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. B2B Packaging and Supplies Distribution: Sale of food packaging, disposable supplies, cleaning chemicals, janitorial products, paper hygiene, catering equipment, and food & beverage products to businesses primarily in the UK hospitality and food service sector. Products sold in cases, packs, and bulk quantities with repeat purchase model.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Tri-Star Packaging Supplies manufactures and distributes a comprehensive B2B range of food packaging, disposables, cleaning chemicals, janitorial and safety supplies, paper hygiene, labelling and packaging, catering equipment, and food and beverage products primarily to UK hospitality, takeaway, food service, and catering businesses. Customers order through an account-based e-commerce platform (tri-star.co.uk) with multi-site ordering capability, supported by phone sales and bespoke product development services including sustainable sub-brands Sustain (compostable) and Revive (recyclable).

Product overview

Tri-Star Packaging Supplies is a B2B packaging and supplies distributor offering a comprehensive portfolio of food packaging, disposables, cleaning chemicals, catering equipment, janitorial supplies, and paper hygiene products. The company operates as a single unified e-commerce platform offering multiple product categories including its branded sub-ranges: Sustain (compostable packaging), Revive (recyclable materials), Cleanline (professional cleaning chemicals), Gen-Label (food allergen labelling), and Portabrands (drink carriers). The portfolio also includes Food Packaging (cling film, bags, takeaway containers), Disposables (cutlery, cups, plates), Chemicals (cleaning products), Labelling & Packaging, Janitorial & Safety, Paper Hygiene, Food & Beverage, and Catering Equipment. The company focuses on the UK food-to-go and hospitality sector, offering both standard and sustainable packaging solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cleanline: Professional cleaning and hygiene chemicals product range
• Sustain
• Revive
• Portabrands

Products and services

• Food Packaging Core packaging category for hospitality and food service customers, including cling film and foil, greaseproof paper, food bags (carrier, paper, plastic, compostable), chef sundries, cup carriers, food wrapping, platters and lids, and takeaway packaging in bagasse, cardboard, foil, PET/RPET, polypropylene, polystyrene, compostable, and other materials.
• Disposables Range of disposable products for hospitality and catering use, including candles and chafing fuel, Christmas items, disposable cutlery and stirrers, paper cups/lids/containers (single wall, double wall, ripple, compostable), disposable plates and bowls, disposable table service, and plastic drinkware.
• Chemicals (Cleanline) Cleanline professional cleaning and hygiene chemicals range covering routine and periodic cleaning tasks in professional environments, including air fresheners, bleach, cleaners, degreasers, disinfectants, fabric softeners, glass cleaners, laundry products, sanitizers, and washing up liquids.
• Labelling & Packaging Labelling solutions and secondary packaging supplies including guest amenities, label guns, POS materials, print labels, till rolls, gift wrap, pallet wrap, and packaging tape for hospitality and retail food service operators.
• Janitorial & Safety Janitorial supplies and safety equipment for hospitality and food service businesses, including bags, contractors items, gloves, janitorial tools, medical supplies, PPE, and textiles.
• Paper Hygiene Paper hygiene consumables for washrooms and facilities including paper dispensers, hand towels, toilet rolls, tissues, and towel rolls.
• Food & Beverage Food and beverage items sold to hospitality and catering customers, including chocolate, coffee, tea, whiteners, confectionery, snacks, crisps, food sachets, sugar, and food mixes.
• Catering Equipment Catering equipment for hot food preparation and table service, including heavy equipment for hot food preparation, light equipment for table service, tableware, utensils, cutlery, display boards, food prep tools, and bar products.
• Sustainable Packaging (Sustain and Revive ranges) Environmentally conscious packaging options across all categories, comprising Sustain compostable packaging made from plant-based materials and Revive sustainable packaging made from recyclable materials, for customers seeking compostable and recyclable packaging alternatives.
• Portabrands Disposable Drink Carriers Disposable drink carriers product line for bar service operations, supplied through partnership with Portabrands to provide innovative bar service solutions to hospitality customers.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Gen-LabelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGen-Label partnership for food allergen labelling. Featured on Tri-Star website as a recommended partner for food businesses needing compliant allergen labelling solutions. Gen-Label (https://www.gen-label.co.uk/) provides specialist food labelling services.
• BunzlcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTri-Star is a Bunzl company. Bunzl is an international distribution and outsourcing Group. Tri-Star operates as part of the Bunzl UK portfolio of packaging supply businesses. Registered address is Bunzl UK Ltd, York House, 45 Seymour Street, London.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Vegware: UK-based specialist manufacturer and distributor of compostable foodservice packaging. Directly comparable to Tri-Star's Sustain sub-brand and core food-to-go offering, with similar UK hospitality customer base and sustainability-led proposition.
• Sabert Corporation: US-headquartered foodservice packaging manufacturer producing disposable containers, cutlery, and tableware. Comparable product mix to Tri-Star's Disposables and Takeaway Packaging categories and serves the same hospitality/foodservice end market.
• BioPak: Asia-Pacific headquartered sustainable foodservice packaging company with growing UK and European presence. Closely comparable to Tri-Star's Sustain and Revive sustainable ranges and competes for the same eco-conscious hospitality accounts.
• Antalis: European distributor of paper, packaging, and visual communication products. Directly comparable as a B2B distribution model with overlapping product range in paper-based and protective packaging categories.
• Nisbets: UK-based direct supplier of catering equipment, disposables, and tableware to hospitality businesses. Strongly comparable multi-category B2B e-commerce model with overlapping customer base in UK hospitality.
• Huhtamaki: Global foodservice packaging manufacturer serving quick-service restaurants, cafés, and takeaway operators. Overlaps with Tri-Star across disposable cups, containers, and lids, though at significantly larger scale and with manufacturing rather than distribution as the primary model.
• Jangro: UK network distributor of janitorial, cleaning, and hygiene supplies. Comparable to the Cleanline sub-brand and Tri-Star's Janitorial & Safety and Chemicals categories, serving overlapping UK commercial cleaning customers.

Others

• Brakes Group: UK foodservice wholesaler supplying restaurants and hospitality operators. Adjacent rather than directly competitive — overlaps with Tri-Star's F&B and foodservice customer base, but its primary offering is food rather than packaging.

Broad incumbents

• Pactiv Evergreen: Major North American foodservice and beverage packaging manufacturer with global footprint. A much larger broad-line incumbent overlapping with Tri-Star across foodservice disposables, cups, containers, and tableware.

Regional players

• Detpak: Australian foodservice packaging manufacturer with global expansion into UK and Europe. Comparable product portfolio across takeaway and QSR packaging, though its primary geographic base is Australia rather than the UK.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TriStar_Pkg
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC9g0G2CAE4jO5mghBnUV-0g
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/tri-star
• Instagraminstagram.com/tristar_packaging

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Tri-Star Packaging Supplies