What Crawford Packaging does

Crawford Packaging is a privately held, independently owned Canadian packaging solutions distributor headquartered in London, Ontario, with operations dating to 1960 (one source cites 1963). The company serves manufacturers, food processors, fresh produce packers, and shipping/distribution operators across North America, offering a vertically integrated portfolio of end-of-line packaging equipment, packaging consumables, technical service, and equipment financing. Equipment offerings span 17 categories — stretch wrappers, shrink wrappers, flow wrappers, case erectors and sealers, bag formers/sealers, robotic palletizers, autonomous forklifts, conveyors, label printers/applicators, linerless label applicators, paper tape dispensers, strapping machines, sleeving/cartoning machines, tray sealers, tray overwrappers, void fill systems, and automated mailer systems — sourced from 100+ OEM partners including Lantech, Wulftec, BVM, Fuji Robotics, Global AGV (Bila), RGDMAPE, Ravenwood, Shanklin, Sealed Air, and Videojet.

Crawford operates two proprietary private-label consumable brands: Guardian (high-performance stretch films and tapes engineered to reduce material usage and improve load containment) and GrowPack (produce-specific consumables including tray seal films, flow wrap films, punnets, clamshells, and custom produce bags). The company's recurring consumables revenue is sold through direct field sales and via Crawford Online, a B2B e-commerce platform launched in April 2026 at shopcrawford.com that offers 24/7 ordering of in-stock SKUs.

The go-to-market is sales-led: Packaging Specialists deliver consultative selling supported by free on-site packaging audits, the proprietary 'Do It Right' five-pillar assessment framework, and hands-on equipment demonstrations at the company's Automation Experience Centre in Mississauga (Greater Toronto Area). Revenue streams span one-time equipment sales, recurring consumables, factory-trained technical service with a substantial spare parts inventory, and equipment financing programs, with multi-year contract cadence and quote-based pricing rather than published price lists. The company has been recognized as one of Canada's Best Managed Companies for six consecutive years through 2026 and received EcoVadis Bronze certification in 2024.

Name

Crawford Packaging

Legal name

Crawford Packaging

Website

https://crawfordpackaging.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Crawford Packaging is a privately held Canadian distributor of end-of-line packaging equipment, proprietary consumables (Guardian, GrowPack), and technical service, serving manufacturers, food processors, fresh produce packers, and shippers across North America via field sales, an Automation Experience Centre, and the Crawford Online e-commerce platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Packaging Equipment and Supplies

NAICS

Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (4234), Packaging Machinery Manufacturing (333993)

SIC

Wholesale-Machinery, Equipment & Supplies (5080), Wholesale-Paper & Paper Products (5110)

akta.pro primary industry

Packaging & Bagging Equipment (Weighers, Baggers, Sealers) (AFAAAJAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Flexible Paper Packaging & Wraps (kraft wrap, pouches, laminations) (IMAMAHAF)

Keywords

• Packaging equipment distribution
• Packaging consumables supply
• Industrial packaging solutions
• Protective packaging materials
• Automated packaging systems

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

Canada

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, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Packaging Equipment Sales: Sale of new and used packaging machinery including stretch wrappers, shrink wrappers, flow wrappers, case sealers/erectors, bagging machines, robotic palletizers, autonomous forklifts, conveyors, labeling machines, and more. Equipment is sourced from OEM partners and sold with installation and commissioning support.
2. Packaging Consumables & Supplies: Recurring sale of packaging materials including stretch film, tape, corrugated boxes, protective packaging (bubble wrap, packing peanuts), shrink film, bags, labels, and facility supplies. Sold through the Crawford Online e-commerce platform (shopcrawford.com) and direct sales.
3. Technical Service, Maintenance & Spare Parts: Factory-trained technician services for equipment maintenance, repairs, and a large spare parts inventory to ensure minimal downtime for customers.
4. Equipment Financing: Financing programs for packaging equipment purchases, enabling customers to acquire automation without large upfront capital outlays.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels13 records

Core offering

Crawford Packaging is an independently owned packaging equipment and consumables distributor that supplies stretch wrappers, shrink wrappers, flow wrappers, case sealers, robotic palletizers, autonomous forklifts, stretch film, tape, boxes, and protective packaging to industrial customers. The company complements this hardware and consumables portfolio with technical service, preventive maintenance, spare parts, equipment financing, and proprietary private-label consumable brands (Guardian by Crawford and GrowPack by Crawford), purchased through direct sales and the Crawford Online e-commerce platform.

Product overview

Crawford Packaging is a Canadian packaging solutions provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of equipment, consumables, and services. The company operates under two proprietary sub-brands: Guardian by Crawford (high-performance stretch films and tapes for load containment and protection) and GrowPack by Crawford (produce packaging consumables including tray seal films, flow wrap films, punnets, and custom produce bags). The core equipment portfolio spans 17 distinct categories including stretch wrappers, shrink wrap machines, case sealers/erectors, flow wrappers, bag formers/sealers, robotic palletizers, autonomous forklifts, conveyors, labelers, tray sealers, strapping machines, and void fill systems, sourced from OEM partners like Wulftec, Lantech, BVM, Fuji Robotics, and others. Services include technical support with factory-trained technicians, spare parts inventory, equipment financing, and an Automation Experience Centre for hands-on demonstrations. Crawford Online is their e-commerce platform for 24/7 ordering of in-stock packaging products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Guardian by Crawford: High-performance line of stretch films and tapes designed to reduce waste, optimize load containment, and protect products in transit.
• GrowPack by Crawford

Products and services

• Stretch Wrappers Industrial stretch wrapping equipment used by manufacturers, warehouses, and distribution operators to unitize and stabilize pallet loads.

Quantifiable outcome

• Alcohol distributor saved $21,120 annually using Guardian G70 stretch film
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• BVMcoreTechnology or IntegrationBVM is a key equipment partner supplying automated mailer systems including the Compacta series, Comtex series, and Papertec paper-based mailer systems. These systems deliver up to 59% material savings and 50% labour savings for e-commerce packaging operations.
• LantechcoreTechnology or IntegrationLantech provides stretch wrapping equipment including automatic turntable stretch wrappers (Q-1000, Q-300 XT Plus), semi-automatic rotary arm stretch wrappers (S-300, S-300 XT), and case erectors (C-1000, C-2000, CI-1000, CI-2000, C-300, C-400).
• WulfteccoreTechnology or IntegrationWulftec (a holding of Lantech) supplies high-quality stretch wrapping systems, strapping machines, and shrink wrapping equipment. Products include WCA-Smart turntable stretch wrappers, rotary arm wrappers (WCRT series), and VarioMaster strapping machines.
• Fuji RoboticscoreTechnology or IntegrationFuji Robotics is the partner for robotic palletizers. Crawford offers Fuji EC-102, EC-171, and EC-201 robotic palletizers — known for being some of the fastest, strongest, and most energy-efficient palletizers available.
• Global AGV (by Bila)coreTechnology or IntegrationGlobal AGV by Bila provides autonomous forklifts (L12 and L14 models) that automate internal pallet transportation. These driverless forklifts improve operational efficiencies, reduce labour costs, and can be installed in 2–3 days.
• Ravenwood PackagingcoreTechnology or IntegrationRavenwood supplies linerless label applicators (Nobac 5000, Nobac 5000L, Nobac 1500) and linerless labels. These solutions offer flexible labeling for fixed- and variable-weight products with zero liner waste to landfill.
• RGDMAPEcoreTechnology or IntegrationRGDMAPE provides flow wrapper equipment including VR-8 Master, VR-8 Advance, VR-7 Box, VR-8 Box, VR-6 Sprinter, VR-6 Genio S, and VR-4 Elektra models. These high-speed horizontal flow wrapping machines serve produce, bakery, frozen foods, and consumer goods.
• ShanklinmajorTechnology or IntegrationShanklin supplies shrink wrap equipment including automatic L-sealer shrink wrap machines (A-26A, A-27A), side seal shrink wrap machines, and shrink tunnels (T-7H, T-71, T-72H).
• Sealed AirmajorTechnology or IntegrationSealed Air provides void fill packaging systems and protective packaging solutions including air pillows and bubble wrap products that protect products during shipping.
• VideojetmajorTechnology or IntegrationVideojet supplies labeling, marking, and coding equipment including print and apply case labeling machines (9550), large character ink jet printers (Unicorn, 2351, 2361), and high resolution ink jet printers (1580, 1580+, 3340).
• Little David (Loveshaw / Signode)coreTechnology or IntegrationLittle David by Loveshaw/Signode supplies case sealers (LD-16AR, LD-16R, LD-16A), case erectors, case labelers (LS-500, LS-600, LS-800), and ink jet printers (Microjet series, Versajet).
• Wecon SystemsmajorTechnology or IntegrationWecon provides conveyor systems including flexible/skate wheel conveyors, gravity roller conveyors (Light Duty 1.4, Medium Duty 1.9, Heavy Duty 2.5), and powered roller conveyors (Live Roller, Slider Bed).
• Intertape Polymer Group (IPG)majorTechnology or IntegrationIPG supplies packaging tapes including carton sealing tape, masking tape, acrylic packaging tape, and hot melt packaging tape. Also provides semi-automatic case sealers (RSA 2024-SB, Auto H20 series).
• KeymacmajorTechnology or IntegrationKeymac supplies automatic sleeving machines (K101 series, K01XL, K101SXL — packaging 60-75 packs/min) and automatic cartoning machines (KIM3 — up to 40 packs/min) for produce, frozen foods, and other markets.
• SignodemajorTechnology or IntegrationSignode (parent of Little David/Loveshaw) supplies strapping machines including the TTX semi-automatic strapper, as well as case sealing solutions.
• Saturn PackagingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSaturn Packaging is a distributor/reseller partner bringing packaging equipment and materials to the Crawford portfolio.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Smurfit Kappa Group: Global paper-based packaging leader (corrugated, containerboard, specialty). Operates at a far larger scale and overlaps Crawford on corrugated boxes, protective packaging, and sustainable packaging supply to Canadian and North American CPG customers.
• Sealed Air Corporation: Global leader in protective packaging (Bubble Wrap, void fill) and food packaging. Crawford distributes Sealed Air products; their much larger, global portfolio overlaps Crawford's protective packaging and equipment business across all of North America.
• Sonoco Products Company: Global diversified packaging manufacturer serving consumer, industrial, healthcare, and protective packaging markets. Broad incumbent with overlapping capabilities in protective, industrial, and food-related packaging categories served by Crawford.
• Berry Global Group: Global plastic packaging manufacturer with significant presence in films, tapes, and engineered materials. Broader incumbent whose consumer-and-industrial packaging portfolio overlaps the film, tape, and protective categories Crawford distributes.

Direct peers

• Veritiv Corporation: US-based packaging distributor operating a print, publishing, and packaging facility-solutions business. Most directly comparable to Crawford's equipment-plus-consumables wholesale model, with a similar consultative-selling orientation but a much larger US footprint.
• Cascades Inc. Canadian sustainable packaging manufacturer and distributor of corrugated, tissue, and specialty packaging. Crawford also lists Cascades as a partner, and the overlap on sustainable packaging materials and produce/consumer-goods customers makes them a directly comparable Canadian peer.
• Signode: Global supplier of packaging equipment, strapping, stretch film, and protective packaging systems (parent of Little David). Directly comparable to Crawford's equipment-plus-consumables distribution motion and competes with Crawford on strapping, case sealing, and load-containment categories.
• Winpak Ltd. Canadian packaging manufacturer focused on specialty films, rigid containers, and lidding for food, beverage, and medical applications. Comparable as a Canadian-headquartered packaging supplier serving food and produce customers with similar categories.
• Intertape Polymer Group (IPG): Canadian-headquartered manufacturer and wholesaler of packaging tapes, stretch film, corrugated and protective packaging. Crawford actually partners with IPG; the two are directly comparable on tape, carton-sealing, and stretch-film product categories and compete in the same Canadian customer base.

Regional players

• Atlantic Packaging: Privately held, US-headquartered corrugated and packaging distributor with North American reach. Comparable in scale and product mix but primarily serves the US Southeast rather than Canada, making it a regional comparability match rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/crawfordpkging
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/crawfordit
• Facebookfacebook.com/crawfordpackaging
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/crawford-packaging
• Instagraminstagram.com/crawfordpckging

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 Crawford Packaging