Packaging Distributors of America

What Packaging Distributors of America does

Packaging Distributors of America (PDA) is a member-owned cooperative network of 26 independent packaging distributors, founded in 2006 by George Strobel and headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia. The organization aggregates the purchasing power, supplier relationships, and operational capabilities of its member companies to provide industrial packaging products, equipment, design, logistics, site assessment, and fulfillment services to enterprise customers across manufacturing, food and beverage, e-commerce, medical, consumer electronics, construction, automotive, government, entertainment, and agriculture verticals.

PDA operates through 80 logistics centers spanning the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Honduras, with additional reach into Europe via a UK distribution partner. Its core technology stack centers on a proprietary Site Assessment Protocol, JIT/VMI inventory programs, economic order quantity optimization, packaging machinery evaluation, and camera-based vision system inspection. Revenue is generated across six streams: packaging product distribution, packaging equipment sales, equipment service and repair, design and logistics consulting, site assessment services, and managed fulfillment. The go-to-market model is sales-led, relying on local Certified Packaging Consultants embedded in each member location who act as trusted advisors rather than transactional vendors.

The business model is structurally distinctive: PDA functions as a cooperative platform rather than a vertically integrated distributor, so traditional revenue and headcount metrics describe the aggregate member network rather than a single corporate entity. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Named enterprise customers include Petco, Fuji USA, a leading camera manufacturer, an unnamed consumer electronics OEM, and a Big Box Retailer. The organization has no external PE/VC ownership, no subsidiaries, and no public listing.

Name

Packaging Distributors of America

Legal name

Packaging Distributors of America

Website

https://pdachain.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Packaging Distributors of America is a member-owned cooperative of 26 independent packaging distributors operating 80 logistics centers across North America, providing industrial packaging products, equipment, design, logistics, and fulfillment services to enterprise customers in manufacturing, retail, e-commerce, and adjacent verticals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Packaging Distribution

NAICS

Packaging and Labeling Services (56191), Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers (4234)

SIC

Wholesale-Paper & Paper Products (5110), Wholesale-Industrial Machinery & Equipment (5084)

akta.pro primary industry

Packaging, Containers & Shipping Supplies Marketplaces (CRAFAHAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Corrugated Packaging (Boxes, Sheets, Pads) (IMALACAA), Custom Engineered Transit Packaging & Packaging Design Services (IMALAFAM), Conveying, Feeding & Material Handling for Packaging Lines (IMALAOAG), Packaging, Repackaging & Co-Packing Services (TLAIAAAG)

Keywords

• Industrial packaging distribution
• Packaging equipment supply
• Packaging design services
• Inventory management solutions
• Packaging fulfillment services

Headquarters

HQ city

Sarasota

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Packaging Products Distribution: Sale and distribution of thousands of packaging products including shrink film, tape, poly bags, strapping, labels, stretch wrap, corrugated boxes, thermal transfer ribbons, packaging equipment, and protective packaging from leading manufacturers.
2. Packaging Equipment Sales: Sale of packaging machinery including stretch wrapping equipment, bag/pouch equipment, labeling systems, conveyors, multipacking and shrink equipment, case/tray/pallet handling, and parts from leading manufacturers like Combi, Sharp Packaging, Toshiba, and IPG.
3. Equipment Service and Repair: Nationwide equipment service including installation, preventative maintenance, repairs, rebuilds, retrofits, performance optimization, and replacement parts for packaging machinery.
4. Design and Logistics Services: Packaging design, logistics optimization, and supply chain engineering services including product evaluation, design blueprint, testing and benchmarking, and implementation.
5. Site Assessment Services: Comprehensive site assessment services evaluating plant operations, inventory management, order processing, compliance, labor, and fulfillment with implementation methodology including pre-defined deliverables and compliance reporting.
6. Fulfillment Services: Packaging fulfillment including kit assembly, multi-channel fulfillment programs, retail fulfillment, D2C and B2B fulfillment, order management and tracking, and customized packing slips.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Packaging Distributors of America distributes thousands of packaging products including shrink film, tape, poly bags, strapping, labels, stretch wrap, corrugated boxes, thermal transfer ribbons, packaging equipment, and protective packaging from leading manufacturers. The company also sells packaging machinery and provides nationwide equipment service and repair, custom packaging design and logistics optimization, comprehensive site assessments, and packaging fulfillment including kit assembly, multi-channel, retail, D2C, and B2B fulfillment programs. All offerings are delivered through a network of 80 logistics centers staffed by local Certified Packaging Consultants who serve as trusted advisors to enterprise customers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Every Box Has a Story: A video campaign series that brings the packaging box to life through meaningful stories, winning a Telly Award in 2018.

Products and services

• Packaging Products Distribution Distribution of thousands of packaging products sourced from leading manufacturers, including shrink film (bio-degradable, high temp, standard), stapling technology, poly bags and bagging equipment, machine length and specialty tapes and adhesives, packing envelopes and mailers, strapping, labels, stretch wrap, industrial paper, corrugated boxes, thermal transfer ribbons, packaging equipment, and protective packaging. Targeted at manufacturing, retail, e-commerce, food service, medical, automotive, construction, government, electronics, entertainment, and agriculture customers.
• Packaging Equipment Sales Sale of packaging machinery from leading manufacturers including Combi, Sharp Packaging (by Pregis), Toshiba, IPG, including stretch wrapping equipment, bag and pouch equipment, labeling systems, conveyors, multipacking and shrink equipment, and case, tray, and pallet handling equipment, plus parts. Targeted at industrial and manufacturing customers.
• Equipment Service and Repair Nationwide equipment service offering for packaging machinery including installation, preventative maintenance, repairs, rebuilds, retrofits, performance optimization, and replacement parts. Targeted at customers using packaging machinery across multiple locations.
• Design and Logistics Services Packaging design, logistics optimization, and supply chain engineering services including product evaluation, design blueprint, testing and benchmarking, and implementation. Targeted at enterprises needing custom packaging design and supply chain improvements.
• Site Assessment Services Comprehensive site assessment methodology analyzing plant operations, inventory management, order processing, compliance, labor, fulfillment, and customization requirements, with deliverables including pre-defined objectives and compliance reporting. Targeted at manufacturers and multi-location enterprises seeking cost and efficiency improvements.
• Packaging Fulfillment Services Packaging fulfillment services including kit assembly, multi-channel fulfillment, retail fulfillment, D2C and B2B fulfillment, order management and tracking, and customized packing slips. Targeted at retailers, e-commerce companies, and enterprises running direct-to-consumer or multi-channel operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• 35-40% annual materials savings for consumer electronics manufacturer
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, standard and minor.

• IPG (Intertape Polymer Group)coreOthersMajor supplier of shrink film, tape products, protective packaging materials, and packaging equipment. IPG supplies multiple product categories including bio degradable, high temp, and standard shrink films; machine length tape; hot melt adhesives; specialty tapes; water activated tapes; and protective packaging solutions.
• Berry GlobalcoreOthersSupplier of stretch wrap products including blown and cast films, hand and machine length rolls. One of the leading stretch film companies for innovation, size, service, and quality.
• PregiscoreOthersSupplier of poly bags, packing envelopes, mailers, and protective packaging including foam and cushioning solutions. Also provides Sharp Packaging equipment.
• SignodecoreOthersSupplier of strapping products and solutions including regular steel strapping, heavy duty steel strapping, and high tensile strapping for industrial applications.
• CombistandardOthersPackaging equipment manufacturer supplying bagging and packaging machinery for automated packaging operations.
• ToshibastandardOthersSupplier of packaging equipment including industrial packaging machinery for stretch wrapping and other packaging applications.
• LK PackagingstandardOthersSupplier of poly bags including tear-resistant and puncture-resistant mono and multi-layer bags for various packaging applications.
• ID ImagesstandardOthersSupplier of stock printed labels, thermal transfer labels, pre-printed labels, and label dispensing equipment for various labeling applications.
• Box PartnerscoreOthersSupplier of corrugated boxes including custom, stock, and edge protection products for shipping, display, and in-plant handling applications.
• Badger PaperboardstandardOthersSupplier of industrial paper products including recycled kraft, newsprint, reinforced steel wrap, slip sheets, and chipboard pads.
• UK Distributor PartnerminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner providing reach throughout Europe, extending PDA's geographic coverage beyond North America.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Imperial Dade: Large North American foodservice and packaging distributor with broad SKU coverage across bags, wraps, and containers, plus distribution-center-driven national service. Directly comparable in distribution scale and customer concentration.
• SupplyOne: Custom packaging distributor with multiple regional locations delivering protective, food, and industrial packaging solutions. Member companies of PDA (e.g., SupplyOne Canada) overlap, and SupplyOne is a directly comparable competitor/customera.
• Veritiv Corporation: Large North American packaging, print, and facility solutions distributor serving enterprise customers with products, equipment, and supply chain services. Directly comparable business model to PDA's distribution-plus-services approach across packaging categories.
• Berlin Packaging: Hybrid packaging supplier and distributor offering rigid containers, closures, and supply chain services to consumer and industrial customers. Comparable to PDA's combined products-plus-services model.
• BradyPLUS: Specialty distribution company serving industrial, foodservice, and JanSan end markets across North America with products and integrated supply programs. Closely aligned with PDA's distribution-plus-services model.
• Envoy Solutions: Specialty distribution platform focused on janitorial, foodservice, and packaging products built through serial acquisitions of regional distributors (including PDA founding member Hughes Enterprises in 2022). Directly comparable competitor and consolidator in PDA's space.
• TricorBraun: One of the largest global distributors of rigid and flexible packaging with broad supplier relationships and design services. Closely matches PDA's role as a packaging intermediary between manufacturers and end users.

Broad incumbents

• Sealed Air Corporation: Global packaging manufacturer (Bubble Wrap, Cryovac, etc.) with adjacent equipment and services. Broad incumbent overlap with PDA's protective packaging and equipment offerings, though operating as a manufacturer rather than distributor.
• Sonoco Products Company: Diversified global packaging manufacturer serving consumer, industrial, and healthcare markets with paperboard, rigid plastics, and protective packaging. Broad incumbent spanning categories PDA distributes.
• Bunzl plc: Global distribution and outsourcing company serving foodservice, grocery, cleaning, and packaging end markets with consolidated supply contracts. Overlaps with PDA's distribution-plus-services model at a much larger scale and geographic breadth.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PDAchain
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/packaging-distributors-of-america

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

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 Packaging Distributors of America