National Association of Container Distributors(NACD)

What National Association of Container Distributors(NACD) does

The National Association of Container Distributors (NACD) is a private, non-profit trade association founded in 1925 and headquartered in Schaumburg, Illinois. It serves the North American container and packaging distribution industry by advocating that wholesale distribution is the most effective and efficient channel for bringing packaging components — bottles, jars, closures, and dispensing systems — to manufacturers of consumer and industrial products. The association serves two primary member segments: container distributors (wholesale distributors of packaging components) and packaging suppliers (manufacturers of rigid packaging, closures, and specialty packaging), with end-user manufacturers as an indirect beneficiary segment.

NACD delivers value through a portfolio of in-person events, digital resources, and community programs. Its event portfolio includes an Annual Meeting, Fall Expo, West Coast Expo, and Spring Expo, supplemented by speed-networking sessions, webinars, and educational programming. The association operates a website (nacd.net) and member portal powered by Novi AMS (association management software) that supports a member directory, event registration, online store, and member communications. Additional programs include the Henry Hoffman Memorial Scholarship Foundation (awarding seven $10,000 scholarships annually to children of NACD member company employees), a Student Design Competition, and recognition programs such as the Hall of Fame, Distinguished Service Award, and Suppliers of Excellence Award.

Revenue is generated through four primary streams: annual membership dues (gated by Board of Directors approval), event registration and sponsorships including exhibitor booth fees (e.g., $6,550 per non-member booth at the West Coast Expo), tax-deductible scholarship donations, and ancillary fees such as student design competition entry fees. NACD is governed by a Board of Directors with all membership applications requiring approval, and as of 2025 it celebrated its 100-year operating history with the centennial Annual Meeting in Grand Cayman.

Name

National Association of Container Distributors(NACD)

Legal name

National Association of Container Distributors

Website

https://nacd.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1925

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The National Association of Container Distributors (NACD) is a 100-year-old U.S. non-profit trade association serving North American packaging distributors and suppliers through annual conventions, regional expos, webinars, networking events, and industry benchmarking programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Packaging Industry Trade Association

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Executive Summits & Invitation-Only Forums (MPAGAGAK)

Keywords

• Packaging distribution association
• Container distribution network
• Wholesale packaging channel
• Industry trade events
• Packaging benchmarking research

Headquarters

HQ city

Arlington Heights

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from distributor and supplier members. All membership applications require Board of Directors approval.
2. Event Registration and Sponsorships: Revenue from annual meetings, regional expos, webinars, and associated sponsorship packages including exhibitor booths.
3. Exhibit Booth Fees: Non-member exhibitor booth fees for regional expos (e.g., $6,550 for West Coast Expo non-member booth).
4. Henry Hoffman Scholarship Donations: Tax-deductible donations to the Henry Hoffman Memorial Scholarship Foundation, which awards seven scholarships of $10,000 annually.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

NACD is a non-profit trade association serving wholesale container and packaging distributors and their supplier partners across North America. Its core offering is membership-based industry services, including annual conventions, regional expos, an online member directory, educational webinars, and industry benchmarking, funded by member dues and event-related fees. The association also administers the Henry Hoffman Memorial Scholarship program, awarding seven $10,000 scholarships annually to children of member company employees.

Product overview

NACD is a trade association serving the container distribution industry with a comprehensive digital platform and event portfolio. The core offering includes the NACD Website & Member Portal for membership management, directory services, and communications. Event offerings span the Annual Meeting, Fall Expo, Spring Expo, and West Coast Expo, providing exhibition, networking, and educational opportunities. Additional programs include the Henry Hoffman Memorial Scholarship (seven $10,000 annual awards) and Student Design Competition. The association operates a store for exhibit booth purchases and accepts scholarship donations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Henry Hoffman Memorial Scholarship Foundation: Scholarship program awarding seven scholarships of $10,000 annually to children of NACD member company employees.

Products and services

• NACD Membership Annual membership in NACD for container and packaging distributors and suppliers, requiring Board of Directors approval, granting access to the member directory, Member Compass portal, networking events, webinars, and benchmarking resources.
• NACD Annual Meeting Annual convention featuring keynote speakers, networking events, speed networking, awards ceremonies, and educational sessions for NACD distributor and supplier members.
• NACD Fall Expo Annual fall trade show and exhibition connecting NACD distributor members with supplier companies in the packaging industry.
• NACD Spring Expo Annual regional spring expo providing networking and exhibition opportunities for container distribution industry members.
• NACD West Coast Expo Regional expo on the U.S. West Coast featuring exhibitions, education sessions, and networking for packaging industry professionals. Non-member exhibit booth priced at $6,550.
• NACD Member Directory Searchable online directory of NACD distributor members and featured branches across the packaging distribution industry.
• NACD Webinars Virtual educational sessions covering industry topics, AI in sales, and professional development for NACD members.
• Henry Hoffman Memorial Scholarship Scholarship program administered by the NACD Henry Hoffman Memorial Scholarship Foundation, awarding seven $10,000 scholarships annually to children of NACD member company employees (six for distributor-member children, one for supplier-member children).
• Student Design Competition Annual student competition for packaging design submissions, with a $20 entry fee per student submission, judged at NACD events.
• Exhibit Booth Sales Paid booth spaces at NACD regional expos for supplier companies to exhibit packaging products and services to distributor members; non-member booth pricing example $6,550 for West Coast Expo.

Quantifiable outcome

• Seven scholarships awarded annually totaling $70,000 to children of member company employees
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Berlin PackagingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor supplier member and sponsor of NACD. Berlin Packaging is a large packaging distributor with operations across North America, including Chicago and Dallas branches. Provides packaging components including bottles, jars, closures, and dispensing systems to NACD distributor members.
• TricorBrauncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor supplier member and sponsor of NACD. TricorBraun is one of the largest packaging distributors in North America, headquartered in St. Louis, MO with operations including Package All in Bayport, NY.
• Pretium PackagingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSupplier of Excellence member. Pretium Packaging is a St. Louis-based manufacturer of rigid plastic containers and closures serving various industries including food, beverage, consumer goods, and healthcare.
• Novvia GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor supplier member. Novvia Group, headquartered in St. Louis, MO, is a national distributor and manufacturer of rigid packaging, with divisions including CL Smith.
• BASCO Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCelebrating 75 years of service. BASCO Inc. is a packaging distributor based in University Park, IL, serving various industries with container and packaging solutions.
• MJS PackagingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSupplier member and event sponsor. MJS Packaging is a Michigan-based packaging distributor specializing in glass and plastic containers for pharmaceutical, nutritional, food, and consumer goods industries.
• O.Berk CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSupplier member operating as Berlin Packaging | O.Berk. O.Berk Company is based in Union, NJ and specializes in packaging components including closures and dispensing systems.
• Pipeline PackagingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor member based in Hudson, OH with sales coverage across multiple states. Specializes in rigid packaging distribution to various end markets.
• Cincinnati Container CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOhio-based container distributor with multiple branch locations including Columbus and Franklin, IN. Member since 2010.
• The Bottle CrewcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMichigan-based packaging distributor specializing in pharmaceutical, nutritional, food, and consumer goods packaging solutions. Based in Farmington Hills, MI.
• The Cary CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIllinois-based packaging distributor headquartered in Addison, IL, serving industrial and consumer packaging markets.
• Kaufman Container CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOhio-based packaging distributor headquartered in Cleveland, specializing in container and closure solutions for various industries.
• Imperial PackagingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIllinois-based packaging distributor in Northbrook, IL serving regional markets.
• Industrial Container and Supply Co.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUtah-based container and packaging distributor headquartered in Salt Lake City, serving western markets.
• VeritivcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAll American Containers, A Veritiv Company - national packaging and distribution solutions provider headquartered in Medley, FL.
• K.G. International Inc.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFlorida-based packaging distributor headquartered in Doral, FL, specializing in international packaging solutions.
• Empire/EMCO Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNew York-based packaging distributor headquartered in Getzville, NY, specializing in dispensing technologies and consumer innovations.
• ILLING PackagingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWisconsin-based packaging distributor headquartered in Richfield, WI, specializing in integrated business and brand strategy solutions.
• General Bottle Supply CompanyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCalifornia-based bottle and container distributor headquartered in Los Angeles, CA.
• Paramount Global Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCalifornia-based packaging distributor headquartered in La Mirada, CA, with extensive sales team and operations.
• Saxco InternationalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCalifornia-based packaging distributor headquartered in Concord, CA, specializing in glass containers.
• TK Supplies & Packaging Co.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSouth Carolina-based packaging distributor headquartered in Travelers Rest, SC, serving southeastern markets.
• WB Bottle Supply Company Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWisconsin-based packaging distributor headquartered in Milwaukee, WI with branch in Glenview, IL.
• SeaCliff Beauty Packaging & LaboratoriesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCalifornia-based beauty packaging specialist headquartered in Irvine, CA, serving cosmetic and personal care industries.
• Ashland Container CorpminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIllinois-based packaging distributor in Chicago Heights, IL, specializing in patented packaging solutions.
• SeaCliff Beauty Packaging & LaboratoriesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCalifornia-based beauty packaging specialist headquartered in Irvine, CA, serving cosmetic and personal care industries.
• Novi AMScoreTechnology or IntegrationAssociation management software provider powering NACD's website, member directory, event registration, and online store. Provided by Novi Systems.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• AICC (Association of Independent Corrugated Converters): AICC is a U.S. trade association for independent corrugated converters and suppliers, providing networking, education, and events. It is a direct functional peer to NACD as an independent-membership packaging trade body.
• PMMI (The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies): PMMI is the leading North American trade association for packaging and processing equipment manufacturers, producing PACK EXPO trade shows. It is a direct functional peer to NACD as another event- and membership-driven packaging industry association.
• IoPP (Institute of Packaging Professionals): IoPP is a U.S.-based individual-membership professional association for packaging professionals, offering certification, education, and networking. It is comparable to NACD as a membership body serving the packaging industry, though focused on individuals rather than corporate distributors.
• Rigid Plastics Packaging Council (PPC of CPIA): A council within the Canadian Plastics Industry Association focused on rigid plastic packaging. It is a peer to NACD as a packaging-segment-specific trade body, though narrower in material scope.
• CPA (The Corrugated Packaging Alliance): CPA is an industry alliance promoting corrugated packaging in North America. Like NACD, it is a member-funded association serving packaging manufacturers and distributors with advocacy and educational programs.

Broad incumbents

• Bottle Collectors Association: A broader hobbyist and collector-oriented association for bottles and containers. Direct overlap with NACD's container focus is limited, but it is adjacent in container-ecosystem community building.

Others

• Smithers (packaging industry research/events): Smithers provides market research, conferences, and events focused on the packaging industry. It is adjacent to NACD as an event and information provider serving the same member companies, but operates as a commercial research firm rather than a member-funded association.

Emerging players

• Sustainable Packaging Coalition: A project of GreenBlue that brings together packaging producers, brand owners, and others to advance sustainable packaging. Like NACD, it is a member-funded industry coalition, but with a sustainability focus rather than wholesale distribution advocacy.
• Active & Intelligent Packaging Industry Association (AIPIA): AIPIA is a global industry association focused on active and intelligent packaging technologies. Like NACD, it is a membership-driven organization offering networking and events, but it specializes in a packaging technology sub-segment.

Regional players

• PAC (Packaging Association of Canada): PAC is the principal Canadian packaging industry association representing converters and suppliers. It is comparable to NACD as a regional trade association serving the packaging industry, but with a primary Canadian focus rather than U.S.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/natl-association-of-container-distributors

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 National Association of Container Distributors(NACD)