KYD

What KYD does

KYD Inc, formerly K. Yamada Distributors, is a privately held, family-owned packaging manufacturer and wholesale distributor founded in 1946 and headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii. The company manufactures plastic bags, films, sheeting, and EPS food service trays at its Kalihi production facility using extrusion processes, and operates photovoltaic systems for on-site electricity generation. It distributes a comprehensive product portfolio including food service disposables (CPLA cutlery, bagasse and PLA containers, deli containers, paper bags), retail packaging, janitorial and cleaning supplies, paper products, commercial dish equipment (P&G Professional), and institutional food products including proprietary brands Old Hawaii Recipes, Tropics, Palm Corned Beef, and Hawaiian Plantations, as well as premium rice sourced from California Heritage Mills.

KYD serves B2B customers across the State of Hawaii — specifically Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Hilo (Big Island) — across six core verticals: food service, retail and supermarkets, healthcare, government (City and County of Honolulu, State of Hawaii, Federal Government), education, and food processing. The go-to-market is a dedicated sales-representative-led wholesale account model with tiered monthly pricing, supplemented by a special food truck program in Oahu, walk-in clearance sales, Costco roadshows for proprietary food brands, and a KYD Warehouse 2U online ordering platform. Healthcare customers are reached through GPO contracting (Vizient, Premier, Select Health, PROcure, Navigator, Roi, Intalere), and Federal Government buyers via P-Card payment.

The company monetizes primarily through wholesale product resale and proprietary in-house manufacturing, with revenue generated per unit at quote-based wholesale pricing scaled to estimated monthly purchase volume ($0-1000, $1001-2500, above $2500). The product mix carries a strong sustainability positioning, including USDA Certified Biobased CPLA cutlery and a full sustainable catalog compliant with the City and County of Honolulu Disposable Food Ware Ordinance #19-30 (effective September 2022), which prohibits polystyrene foam and certain single-use plastics. The company maintains 51-100 employees and is independently owned under the Yamada family with no disclosed outside investment.

Name

KYD

Legal name

KYD Inc

Website

https://kydinc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

KYD Inc is a Hawaii-based, family-owned packaging manufacturer and wholesale distributor founded in 1946, serving food service, retail, healthcare, government, education, and food processing customers across Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Hilo with packaging, food service disposables, janitorial supplies, and proprietary food brands.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Honolulu

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Wholesale Product Sales: KYD generates revenue through wholesale distribution of packaging products, food service supplies, janitorial products, and institutional food products to businesses across Hawaii. Products are sold in bulk quantities with tiered pricing based on monthly purchase volume.
2. Manufacturing Services: Revenue from in-house manufacturing of plastic bags, film, sheeting, and EPS trays for various industries including food service, retail, and industrial applications.
3. Proprietary Food Products Distribution: Distribution of proprietary food brands including Old Hawaii Recipes (tropical jams, dressings, BBQ sauces), Tropics products, Palm Corned Beef, and Hawaiian Plantations products through wholesale channels and Costco roadshows.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

KYD Inc is a Honolulu-based wholesale manufacturer and distributor of packaging products, food service supplies, janitorial/cleaning products, and institutional food items serving Hawaii businesses since 1946. The company produces custom plastic bags and films via in-house extrusion at its Kalihi plant and distributes sustainable food service ware (PLA bagasse containers, CPLA cutlery, molded fiber plates and clamshells), commercial cleaning supplies, and proprietary Hawaiian food brands (Old Hawaii Recipes, Tropics, Palm Corned Beef, Hawaiian Plantations) to food service, healthcare, government, retail, education, and food processing customers across Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and Hilo.

Product overview

KYD Inc is a diversified packaging and distribution company based in Honolulu, HI, serving Hawaii since 1946. The company operates as a manufacturer, supplier, wholesaler, retailer, and distributor offering a comprehensive portfolio of products. Their core offerings include food service packaging (PLA Bagasse Pulp Hinged Containers, CPLA Cutlery, Deli Containers, sustainable plates, clamshells, soup/salad bowls, cups, and boxes), retail and institutional food products (Old Hawaii Recipes and Tropics brands offering tropical jams, jellies, salad dressings, BBQ sauces, mustards, and salsas), paper and plastic bags including custom manufacturing capabilities, rice products (Seshuu-mai Calrose, Koshihikari, and Island Legacy), P & G Dish Machines with financing options, and janitorial/cleaning supplies. The company maintains a strong focus on sustainability with their Sustainable Catalog featuring compostable, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly products compliant with Hawaii's Disposable Food Ware Ordinance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Custom Bags Manufacturing In-house custom plastic bag manufacturing with custom prints, side weld, gusseted, and perforated options, up to 4 colors of printing, for food service, retail, industrial, floral, and agricultural customers across Hawaii.
• Sustainable Catalog (Plates, Clamshells, Bowls, Cups, Boxes, Cutlery)
• CPLA Cutlery USDA Certified Biobased compostable cutlery made from 100% petroleum-free organic components, heat tolerant up to 185°F, FDA approved, available in forks, spoons, knives, and wrapped cutlery kits for food service operators.
• Paper Bags with Handle Paper bags with handle designed to fit food service hinged and entree containers; moisture proof, quality made, durable, sustainable, reusable, compliant, and convenient for food service and retail customers.
• Deli Containers Multi-use reusable deli containers that are stackable, dishwasher safe, leakproof, airtight, microwaveable, and freezer safe for food service operators and delis.
• PLA Bagasse Pulp Hinged Containers Hinged containers made from bagasse sugarcane fiber; reusable, microwaveable, holds 356°F to -22°F, grease and liquid proof up to 10 hours, non-toxic, hygienic, FDA approved, and compliant with City & County Disposable Food Ware Ordinance #19-30 for food service operators.
• Rice Products (Seshuu-mai Calrose, Koshihikari, Island Legacy) Premium rice products including Seshuu-mai Calrose U.S. No. 1 Extra Fancy, Seshuu-mai Koshihikari, and Island Legacy rice from California Heritage Mills, available with quantity purchase discounts for food service operators.
• P&G Dish Machines Commercial P&G dish machines including upright (ADS HT-25) and conveyor (ADC-44) models with Energy Star certification, 24/7/365 nationwide service coverage, and financing options up to 60 months with zero down payments through Marlin Financial for commercial kitchens.
• Old Hawaii Recipes (Brand) Proprietary brand selling tropical jams and jellies, salad dressings, BBQ sauces, mustards, and salsas made with high-quality ingredients, distributed through wholesale and Costco roadshows.
• Tropics (Brand) Hawai'i-based brand producing salad dressings, marinades, and cooking sauces for over 50 years, distributed by KYD via wholesale channels and Costco roadshow events.
• Palm Corned Beef (Brand) Proprietary food product brand offering corned beef, distributed by KYD as part of its institutional food product line for Hawaii food service and retail customers.
• Hawaiian Plantations (Brand) Proprietary brand offering tropical food products including jams, jellies, and sauces, distributed by KYD as part of its specialty food product line for Hawaii wholesale customers.
• Food Service Packaging Comprehensive food service packaging assortment including containers, deli containers, cutlery, gloves, aluminum pans, bento containers, cake boxes, and food processing supplies for restaurants, food trucks, caterers, and other food service operators in Hawaii.
• Retail Bags Retail and grocery bag assortment including plastic bags, trash liners, poly bags, cellophane bags, printed design bags, pouches, onion bags, grocery paper bags, rotisserie bags, bakery bags, liquor bags, and re-closable bags for supermarkets, convenience stores, and other retailers.
• Janitorial and Cleaning Supplies Janitorial and cleaning supplies including equipment, chemicals, soaps, and sanitizers supplied to businesses, healthcare facilities, schools, and government entities across Hawaii.
• Paper Products Paper product assortment including trays, films, dispensers, towels, tissues, and napkins supplied to businesses and institutions across Hawaii.
• Wholesale Distribution Services Formal B2B wholesale account program with dedicated sales representatives, tiered wholesale pricing by monthly purchase volume, and fast delivery across Hawaii for businesses, schools, medical facilities, and government organizations.
• Food Truck Program Special contract pricing program for food truck businesses in Oahu with new account pricing, free samples, and free delivery for orders totaling $250 or more within Oahu area.

Quantifiable outcome

• Free delivery for orders $250+ within Oahu for food truck accounts
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TropicscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerTropics is a Hawai'i based company producing salad dressings, marinades, and cooking sauces for over 50 years. KYD distributes Tropics products alongside their own packaging offerings, featuring joint marketing at Costco roadshows and promotions.
• Old Hawaii RecipescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOld Hawaii Recipes uses high-quality ingredients to produce tropical jams and jellies, salad dressings, BBQ sauces, mustards, and salsas. KYD partners in distribution and co-marketing including Costco roadshow events.
• Palm Corned BeefminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKYC distributes Palm Corned Beef products as part of their institutional food product offerings.
• Hawaiian PlantationsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHawaiian Plantations products are distributed by KYD as part of their specialty food product line.
• California Heritage MillscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCalifornia Heritage Mills (CHM) is a multi-generational co-op of owners and farmers from as far back as the 1870s. CHM supplies KYD with premium rice products including Seshuu-mai Calrose, Seshuu-mai Koshihikari, and Island Legacy rice brands. CHM has the most advanced machinery to grow, farm, harvest, clean, mill, sort by size, quality, and color.
• P&G ProfessionalcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKYD distributes P&G Professional products including dish machines, Dawn Professional dish detergent, Spic n Span, and disinfectants. Products include Energy Star machines with nationwide service coverage 24/7/365.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Y. Hata & Co. Hawaii's largest broadline foodservice distributor serving restaurants, hotels, healthcare, and institutions across the state — the most direct in-market competitor to KYD for food service and institutional supply in Hawaii.

Emerging players

• Restaurant Depot: Cash-and-carry wholesale club for foodservice operators — comparable customer base of small restaurants and food trucks but with a different fulfillment model that overlaps with KYD's walk-in clearance and food truck programs.
• Vegware: Specialist manufacturer of compostable food service packaging made from plant-based materials — comparable to KYD's sustainable catalog offering but focused exclusively on the eco-friendly packaging vertical.

Direct peers

• US Foods: Second-largest US broadline foodservice distributor with comparable customer mix across restaurants, healthcare, and government — competes with KYD in food service supply and janitorial categories.
• Performance Food Group: Major US foodservice and convenience distributor with Vistar and Performance Foodservice divisions — comparable broadline distribution model targeting similar institutional end-customers.
• Bunzl: Global distribution business specializing in food service packaging, janitorial supplies, and related non-food consumables — directly comparable to KYD's wholesale distribution model across packaging and cleaning categories, though at vastly greater scale and geographic reach.
• Sysco: Largest US broadline foodservice distributor serving restaurants, healthcare, education, and hospitality — overlapping heavily with KYD's food service packaging and institutional supply business, but operating at national scale.
• Eco-Products (Novolex): Leading manufacturer of compostable and sustainable food service packaging (PLA, bagasse, CPLA) — directly comparable to KYD's sustainable product line and the regulatory-compliant packaging category KYD has built around.
• Gordon Food Service: Family-founded broadline foodservice distributor across the US and Canada — closely comparable private/wholesale distribution heritage and customer segments to KYD.

Broad incumbents

• Pactiv Evergreen: Major manufacturer of food service and beverage packaging including EPS trays, plastic containers, and paper products — directly comparable to KYD's in-house EPS and plastic bag manufacturing capabilities, but at industrial scale.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/ky/dinc
• Xx.com/kydinc1
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kyd-inc.

Compliance2 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 KYD