What Big 3 Packaging does

Big 3 Packaging is a privately-held manufacturer of unit-dose, water-soluble cleaning and maintenance chemicals marketed under the PAK-IT brand. The company's core technology is a patented liquid packet sealed in PVA film that dissolves on contact with water, allowing users to dispense a pre-measured dose into a reusable trigger sprayer or bucket. Headquartered in Bradenton, Florida with manufacturing operations in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Big 3 Packaging serves facility cleaning buyers across hospitality, healthcare, building service contractors, industrial, government, airlines, marine, education, retail, and food service. Its chemical portfolio spans roughly 25 PAK-IT SKUs across multiple cleaning categories, complemented by bulk DCL and Vanguard legacy brands, with Green Seal GS37 certification held on 10 products.

The technology platform is built around three integrated layers: (1) a patented single-dose PVA film delivery mechanism, the only patented system of its kind in the category; (2) concentrated chemical formulations developed under senior technical chemistry leadership that reduce shipped weight by more than 90% relative to ready-to-use liquids; and (3) a color-coded bottle and reusable sprayer workflow that standardizes dilution and use across cleaning crews. Manufacturing is performed in Philadelphia with a stated failure rate below 0.05% on the packet sealing process, supporting both branded distribution and private-label/white-label contract manufacturing for third-party brands.

Revenue is generated through three channels: direct sales to mid-market and enterprise facility buyers, a regional distributor network actively recruited across U.S. territories, and an e-commerce storefront that supports domestic and international shipping (enabled by non-hazardous air-shipping classification). The business is owned and controlled by CEO Richard A. Higgs following his 2012 acquisition and rebrand of the legacy DCL and PAK-IT assets, with DCL LLC operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary. The company has not raised external capital and positions itself as a well-funded, Made-in-America specialty chemical manufacturer.

Name

Big 3 Packaging

Legal name

Big 3 Packaging LLC

Website

https://big3packaging.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Cleaning Products

NAICS

Soap and Cleaning Compound Manufacturing (32561), Plastics Packaging Materials and Unlaminated Film and Sheet Manufacturing (32611)

SIC

Soap, Detergents, Cleang Preparations, Perfumes, Cosmetics (2840), Specialty Cleaning, Polishing And Sanitation Preparations (2842)

akta.pro primary industry

Hard Surface & Multi-Purpose Cleaners (All-purpose, Floor, Bathroom, Kitchen) (CRADAKAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Water-Soluble & Edible Packaging (PVOH-based, Edible Films) (IMALAMAI)

Keywords

• Industrial cleaning chemicals
• Unit-dose cleaning products
• Water-soluble packaging
• Commercial janitorial supplies
• Concentrated cleaning solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Bradenton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

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. PAK-IT® Product Sales: Sale of patented water-soluble unit-dose cleaning products (PAK-IT® pouches) along with reusable spray bottles and accessories. Products are sold through distributors, direct sales, and e-commerce. Revenue is generated through product transactions with repeat purchasing patterns for consumable paks.
2. Vanguard Bulk Chemical Products (DCL): DCL (Dickler Chemical Laboratories) focuses on manufacturing traditional water-based bulk chemical products under the Vanguard brand. Complements the PAK-IT® line with broader chemical formulation offerings.
3. Private Label / White Label Manufacturing: Big 3 Packaging offers white label or private label services for other brands to manufacture products using their PAK-IT® water-soluble packaging technology.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Big 3 Packaging manufactures concentrated cleaning solutions delivered in unit-dose, water-soluble PVA film packets under the PAK-IT® brand, plus bulk cleaning chemicals under the Vanguard brand (via subsidiary DCL LLC). The products are sold to commercial and industrial customers including building service contractors, hospitality, healthcare, government, and industrial facilities for cleaning and sanitation use.

Product overview

Big 3 Packaging operates two distinct product lines: (1) The PAK-IT® line is the company's flagship offering — a patented, unit-dose, water-soluble packaging system in which concentrated cleaning formulations are sealed inside polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) film pouches that dissolve on contact with water. The PAK-IT® portfolio covers the full spectrum of cleaning needs: all-purpose cleaners (Glass & Hard Surface Cleaner, Citrus All-Purpose Cleaner, Heavy-Duty All Purpose Cleaner), bathroom cleaners (Non-Acidic Bathroom Cleaner, Basin/Tub & Tile Cleaner), floor care products (Neutral Floor Cleaner, Citrus All-Surface Floor Cleaner, Heavy-Duty Floor Cleaner, All Floor Surface Neutralizer & Conditioner, Auto Scrubber Neutral Floor Cleaner), carpet care (Carpet Pre-Spotter, High Traffic Lane Cleaner, Low-Foam Extraction Cleaner, Defoamer), laundry and dishwashing (All Clear Laundry Detergent, Ultra Dishwashing Detergent, Power Pre-Soak for Flatware), odor control (Deodorizer - Superberry Scent, Deodorizer - Autumn Fresh Scent), vehicle cleaning (WASH-IT Waterless Vehicle Wash, Vehicle Wash & Shine, Vehicle Wash & Sheet, Boat & Deck Wash), and specialty products (Spot Remover for Fabric, X-Treme Window Cleaner). Users drop a PAK-IT® pouch into a reusable bottle, add water, and the film dissolves instantly to produce a precisely dosed cleaning solution. (2) The DCL LLC / Vanguard brand covers traditional water-based bulk chemical products for customers preferring conventional bulk-format formulations rather than unit-dose packaging.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PAK-IT: Unit-dose water-soluble liquid packet packaging technology for cleaning solutions. Flagship product line of Big 3 Packaging featuring patented water-soluble pouches containing concentrated cleaning formulations.
• Vanguard

Products and services

• PAK-IT® Unit-Dose Cleaning Packets Pre-measured, concentrated cleaning solution packets encased in water-soluble PVA film that dissolve in water for commercial and industrial cleaning applications. Used by building service contractors, hospitality, healthcare, and government facilities.
• Vanguard Bulk Cleaning Chemicals Bulk liquid cleaning chemicals for industrial, institutional, and vehicle/marine cleaning and degreasing applications, manufactured through subsidiary DCL LLC.

Quantifiable outcome

• Shipping costs reduced by 90%+ compared to conventional cleaning products
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DCL (Dickler Chemical Laboratories)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDCL, historically known as Dickler Chemical Laboratories (also referred to as DCL Solutions), is a related entity focusing on manufacturing traditional water-based bulk chemical products under the Vanguard brand. DCL continues to research and develop chemical formulations. Big 3 Packaging acquired DCL and PAK-IT® in 2012 under new ownership led by Richard Higgs.
• American Cleaning InstituteminorOthersIndustry trade association member providing advocacy and standards representation for the cleaning products industry.
• U.S. Green Building CouncilminorOthersUSGBC member supporting sustainable building practices and LEED certification standards. Aligns with Big 3 Packaging's environmental mission.
• Green Hotels AssociationminorOthersIndustry association focused on environmental sustainability in hotels and hospitality, aligning with Big 3 Packaging's target market and sustainability mission.
• Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI)minorOthersIndustry association for building service contractors, the primary customer segment for Big 3 Packaging's products.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Zep Inc. Zep is a broad-line commercial and industrial cleaning chemical manufacturer serving janitorial, food service, and industrial markets. Overlaps with Big 3 across cleaning compounds and offers similar B2B distribution channels.
• Clorox Company: Clorox is a major incumbent in cleaning and disinfectants with growing sustainable product lines and concentrate offerings. Its Green Works brand and institutional sales channels compete for the same ESG-conscious buyers Big 3 targets.
• Ecolab: Ecolab is the dominant B2B cleaning and sanitization incumbent serving hospitality, healthcare, food service, and industrial customers globally. Its scale, vertical-specific sales teams, and broad product portfolio (including concentrate programs) make it the primary competitive threat to Big 3 in enterprise accounts.
• Reckitt Benckiser (Lysol/Resolve): Reckitt's Lysol and Resolve brands dominate the disinfectant and specialty cleaning categories across institutional and consumer markets, providing scaled alternatives to Big 3's EPA-registered disinfectant offerings.
• Spartan Chemical Company: Spartan is an established B2B manufacturer of janitorial and industrial cleaning products including concentrated and ready-to-use formulations. Targets similar building service contractors and facility management customers as Big 3.
• Church & Dwight: Church & Dwight (Arm & Hammer, OxiClean) is a major consumer cleaning manufacturer with growing sustainability positioning and concentrate-style products. Competes in adjacent consumer/institutional cleaning channels.

Direct peers

• Betco Corporation: Betco is a closely comparable B2B cleaning chemicals manufacturer serving facilities management, education, healthcare, and industrial verticals. Its product range in floor care, disinfectants, and general cleaners directly overlaps Big 3's PAK-IT portfolio.
• PortionPac Chemical Corporation: PortionPac is the closest direct peer — a specialty chemical manufacturer producing pre-measured, water-soluble unit-dose cleaning packets for the janitorial industry. Both companies occupy the same niche (concentrated cleaning chemicals in pre-portioned packaging) targeting B2B cleaning professionals.
• Rochester Midland Corporation: Rochester Midland is a specialty chemical manufacturer focused on cleaning, sanitation, and water treatment serving institutional and industrial customers. Overlaps with Big 3 in facility management and industrial cleaning solutions.

Emerging players

• Method Products (Ecover/SC Johnson): Method (now under SC Johnson's Ecover brand) is a sustainability-focused cleaning brand emphasizing plant-based ingredients and eco-friendly packaging. Competes with Big 3 in ESG-minded hospitality and consumer cleaning channels with stronger consumer brand awareness.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/big3packaging
• Facebookfacebook.com/Big3Packaging

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 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 Big 3 Packaging