Kilby Packaging
Kilby Packaging is a UK-based manufacturer and distributor of corrugated boxes, self-adhesive tapes, rigid boxes, mailing bags, and envelopes, founded in 1946. It serves e-commerce businesses and trade customers nationwide through its own e-commerce platform and trade account program, with in-house bespoke manufacturing and FSC-certified sustainable packaging.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1946
- HeadquartersBirmingham, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Kilby Packaging does
Kilby Packaging (trading name of John Kilby and Son Ltd) is a UK-based manufacturer and distributor of packaging products, founded in 1946 and headquartered in Birmingham. The company produces and sells corrugated boxes, self-adhesive tapes, rigid boxes, paper mailing bags, and envelopes, with a vertically integrated model spanning in-house conversion, digital printing, plate making, and bespoke box manufacturing. A 2019 acquisition of a corrugated manufacturer in Northamptonshire materially expanded bespoke box-making capacity, and the firm operates three UK sites: Birmingham (HQ), Northwich (warehouse/distribution opened 1982), and Northamptonshire (manufacturing). The company maintains BSI/ISO 9001 quality registration since 1992 and FSC certification since 2021, the latter positioning it among the first UK packaging distributors to offer FSC-certified corrugated products.
The business sells through an e-commerce platform (kilby.co.uk) requiring account registration to view pricing, supplemented by a trade account program with dedicated sales contact for mid-market business buyers. Digital printing capabilities installed from 2016 onward enable overprinting of customer designs on stock products, while large format digital cutting supports sampling and prototyping. Customer segments are horizontally defined across e-commerce businesses, trade/business buyers, and general retail and manufacturing — with no named enterprise anchors and pricing gated behind account creation, indicating a long-tail SMB order book. Marketing is lean: company website, email newsletter, and organic presence on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Revenue model combines one-time product sales of stock and custom packaging with recurring trade account relationships. The company is privately held with no disclosed external investment or parent entity, and there is no public revenue, headcount, or funding data available. Recent strategic posture emphasizes capability investment in bespoke manufacturing and sustainability credentials rather than market expansion outside the UK.
Kilby Packaging firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Kilby Packaging
- Legal name
- John Kilby and Son Ltd
- Website
- https://kilby.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1946
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Kilby Packaging is a UK-based manufacturer and distributor of corrugated boxes, self-adhesive tapes, rigid boxes, mailing bags, and envelopes, founded in 1946. It serves e-commerce businesses and trade customers nationwide through its own e-commerce platform and trade account program, with in-house bespoke manufacturing and FSC-certified sustainable packaging.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Kilby Packaging industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Packaging Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Corrugated and Solid Fiber Box Manufacturing (322211), Paperboard Container Manufacturing (32221), Folding Paperboard Box Manufacturing (322212)
- SIC
- Paperboard Containers & Boxes (2650)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Corrugated Packaging (Boxes, Sheets, Pads) (IMALACAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Corrugated Packaging & Boxes (RSC, die-cut, bulk bins) (IMAMAHAA), Corrugated & Case Printing (Preprint/Postprint) (IMALAKAI), Folding Carton & Paperboard Packaging Printing (IMALAKAH), Flexible Packaging Printing (Film/Poly/Paper Print) (IMALAKAG)
Keywords
Where Kilby Packaging is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Birmingham
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Kilby Packaging business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Product Sales: Direct sales of packaging products including corrugated boxes, self-adhesive tapes, rigid boxes, paper mailing bags, and envelopes through e-commerce platform.
- Custom/Bespoke Manufacturing: Bespoke packaging manufacturing services with custom printing and design capabilities for corporate branding requirements.
- Trade Accounts: Trade account program offering dedicated pricing and services for business customers.
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
Kilby Packaging product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Kilby Packaging manufactures and distributes packaging products including corrugated boxes, self-adhesive tapes, rigid boxes, paper mailing bags, and envelopes for UK business customers. The company also provides bespoke box manufacturing and custom digital printing services that allow customers to overprint company designs on stock products for branded packaging, sold through an e-commerce storefront and dedicated trade accounts.
Product overview
Kilby Packaging operates as a manufacturer and distributor of packaging products, trading as John Kilby and Son Ltd. The product portfolio centers on corrugated boxes and self-adhesive tapes as the core offerings, supplemented by rigid boxes, paper mailing bags, and envelopes. The company provides complementary manufacturing services including digital printing (for overprinting custom designs on stock products), large format digital cutting for sampling/prototyping, and plate making/design services. Bespoke box manufacturing capabilities were expanded in 2019 through acquisition. Products are sold through an e-commerce platform (kilby.co.uk) to customers throughout the UK.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Corrugated Boxes Stock and bespoke corrugated cardboard boxes manufactured in-house, including bespoke capabilities expanded through the 2019 Northamptonshire manufacturer acquisition. Used for shipping, product protection, and branded packaging by UK e-commerce and trade customers.
- Self-Adhesive Tapes Self-adhesive tapes with printing and converting capabilities, expanded with plate making and design services added in 2016. Used for sealing, branding, and shipping operations.
- Rigid Boxes Manufactured since the 1970s, rigid boxes complement the company's corrugated box offerings and serve product presentation and premium packaging use cases.
- Paper Mailing Bags Stock paper mailing bags available for overprinting with company designs using Kilby's digital printing capabilities, used for e-commerce shipping and branded customer delivery.
- Envelopes Stock envelopes offered alongside mailing bags, available with custom overprinting via Kilby's digital printing services for corporate branding.
- Digital Printing Services Overprinting services for company designs on stock boxes, paper mailing bags, and envelopes, enabled by digital printer investments in 2016 and 2021 for branded packaging customers.
- Large Format Digital Cutting Sampling and prototyping service added in 2017 using large format digital cutter technology to support bespoke packaging development.
- Trade Account Program Dedicated trade account program offering dedicated pricing and services for UK business customers purchasing packaging products and bespoke manufacturing services.
Companies that use Kilby Packaging
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Kilby Packaging technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Kilby Packaging partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)coreFSC accreditation partnership enabling the company to offer FSC certified corrugated board products, making them one of the first packaging distributors in the UK to provide FSC certified packaging materials.
- British Standards Institution (BSI)coreQuality management certification through BSI, achieving BSI quality registration mark in 1992 for quality and consistency standards.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves12 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Kilby Packaging competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- DS Smith: UK-listed global packaging giant and one of the largest corrugated box manufacturers in Europe. Directly comparable to Kilby on corrugated box manufacturing, paper-based packaging, and serving e-commerce/business customers, though at vastly greater scale and with international reach.
- Kite Packaging: UK-based packaging distributor offering a broad range of boxes, mailing bags, tapes, and protective packaging via e-commerce. Closely comparable to Kilby on product range, customer segment (UK SMB and e-commerce), and online distribution model.
- Rajapack: European packaging distributor (operating in the UK) selling cardboard boxes, mailing bags, tapes, and protective packaging online to businesses. Directly comparable on e-commerce-led packaging distribution and the trade/SMB customer base Kilby serves.
- Macfarlane Group: UK-listed packaging distribution business serving e-commerce, manufacturing, and retail customers with corrugated and protective packaging. Comparable on UK focus, B2B packaging distribution model, and product portfolio overlap with Kilby's core range.
- Coveris: European packaging manufacturer producing corrugated, paper-based, and flexible packaging for FMCG and industrial customers. Comparable on corrugated and paper-based packaging manufacturing serving business customers across the UK and Europe.
- Antalis: European distributor of paper, packaging, and visual communication products, with a strong UK presence. Comparable on wholesale/distribution of paper-based packaging, industrial supplies, and B2B trade customer model.
- GWP Group: UK-based protective packaging manufacturer and distributor specializing in corrugated, foam, and engineered packaging. Comparable on UK focus, custom corrugated box manufacturing, and serving e-commerce and industrial customers.
Broad incumbents
- Smurfit Kappa: Global integrated paper-based packaging leader with extensive corrugated operations across Europe. Comparable on corrugated packaging products and FSC/ESG positioning, but operates at vastly greater scale with vertically integrated paper mills.
- Mondi: Global packaging and paper group with significant corrugated and kraft paper operations in Europe. Overlaps with Kilby on paper-based packaging formats but operates as a broadly diversified incumbent with integrated paper production.
- Packaging Corporation of America: US-listed integrated producer of containerboard and corrugated products. Comparable on corrugated box manufacturing and FSC/sustainable packaging positioning, though focused on the North American market rather than the UK.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Kilby Packaging social profiles
Digital presenceKilby Packaging compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Kilby Packaging financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Kilby Packaging leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Kilby Packaging funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Kilby Packaging 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 Kilby Packaging
What does Kilby Packaging do?
Kilby Packaging manufactures and distributes packaging products including corrugated boxes, self-adhesive tapes, rigid boxes, paper mailing bags, and envelopes for UK business customers. The company also provides bespoke box manufacturing and custom digital printing services that allow customers to overprint company designs on stock products for branded packaging, sold through an e-commerce storefront and dedicated trade accounts.
Is Kilby Packaging a public or private company?
Kilby Packaging is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Kilby Packaging founded?
Kilby Packaging was founded in 1946. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Kilby Packaging based?
Kilby Packaging is headquartered in Birmingham, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Kilby Packaging make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are custom/Bespoke Manufacturing and trade Accounts.
Who are Kilby Packaging's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are DS Smith, Kite Packaging, Rajapack, Macfarlane Group, Coveris, Antalis and GWP Group. Broad incumbents are Smurfit Kappa, Mondi and Packaging Corporation of America.
Does Kilby Packaging have an API?
No public API is recorded for Kilby Packaging.
What industry is Kilby Packaging in?
Kilby Packaging's product category is Industrial Packaging Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMALACAA, Corrugated Packaging (Boxes, Sheets, Pads), with a secondary code of IMAMAHAA, Corrugated Packaging & Boxes (RSC, die-cut, bulk bins). Its NAICS code is 322211 and its SIC code is 2650.