What Star Packaging Supplies Co. does

Star Packaging Supplies Co. is a privately held industrial packaging supplies distributor founded in 1941 and headquartered at 616 S. 92nd Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The company distributes industrial adhesives (hot melt, water-based, Glue Dots pressure-sensitive dots, cyanoacrylates, epoxies, UV curable, anaerobic, methacrylate structural adhesives), adhesive application equipment (bulk hot melt dispensers, hot and cold rolling equipment, glue guns, label gluers, hot melt roll coaters, Potdevin gluing machines), and a broad packaging materials portfolio including industrial staplers and staples, bottle labelers, carton sealing and specialty tapes, tape dispensers (Phoenix and Betterpack), stretch film and Eagle pallet wrappers, shrink wrap equipment and film, bubble and foam protective packaging, corrugated cartons and mailers, poly bags and plastic packaging, labeling and dispensing equipment, strapping systems, and general shipping room supplies. The largest area of company expertise is industrial adhesives for packaging and product assembly applications.

The company serves manufacturers and industrial companies with bonding and assembly needs, internal shipping departments and mailhouses requiring packaging supplies and equipment, and dedicated packaging centers running high-volume fulfillment operations. Customers are served through a three-channel go-to-market: a self-serve e-commerce storefront at starpackagingsupplies.com, phone-based inside sales (local 414.771.5717 and toll-free 1.800.634.0901) with account specialists and engineers providing product selection guidance and application testing samples, and direct account management focused on Southeast Wisconsin enterprise customers. Pricing is structured on per-unit tiered models with bulk discounts (for example, Glue Dots dispenser boxes move from $40.75 at 1-77 units to $25.00 at 1600+ units), while capital equipment such as Phoenix programmable electric tape dispensers ranges from approximately $1,256 to $1,531 per unit.

Revenue is generated primarily through one-time product sales, supplemented by expert consultation and technical support that helps customers select appropriate bonding solutions for their application requirements. The company maintains a large inventory of shipping room and packaging supplies to enable fast fulfillment and positions itself against larger faceless online distributors through personal attention and hands-on technical assistance. Authorized-distributor relationships with manufacturers including Glue Dots, Surebonder, Gluefast, Axxis, Warren Adhesives, Phoenix, 3M, Eagle, Staplex, and EdgeTec underpin the multi-brand assortment. The company is privately held with no parent organization, institutional investors, or public listings disclosed.

Name

Star Packaging Supplies Co.

Legal name

Star Packaging Supplies Co.

Website

https://starpackagingsupplies.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1941

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Star Packaging Supplies Co. is a privately held industrial packaging supplies distributor founded in 1941 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, selling industrial adhesives, adhesive application equipment, and packaging materials to manufacturers, shipping departments, mailhouses, and packaging centers throughout the US.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Packaging Supplies Distribution

NAICS

Paperboard Container Manufacturing (32221)

SIC

Wholesale-Paper & Paper Products (5110)

akta.pro primary industry

Corrugated Packaging & Boxes (RSC, die-cut, bulk bins) (IMAMAHAA)

Keywords

• Industrial adhesives
• Packaging supplies
• Shipping equipment
• Packaging materials
• Warehouse supplies

Headquarters

HQ city

Milwaukee

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Product Sales (E-commerce and Phone Orders): Star Packaging Supplies generates revenue through direct sales of industrial adhesives, adhesive equipment, and packaging supplies. Customers can purchase products online through their e-commerce website or place orders by phone. The company offers bulk pricing discounts on many products and maintains a large inventory for fast shipping. As a full stocking distributor, they sell products at various price points ranging from individual items to case quantities.
2. Expert Consultation and Technical Support: The company provides technical expertise and assistance in selecting the right adhesive products for specific applications. Account specialists and engineers help customers determine appropriate products and provide samples for testing, adding value to the product sales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Star Packaging Supplies Co. is a full-service industrial packaging supplies distributor that sells industrial adhesives, adhesive application equipment, and packaging materials directly to businesses through an e-commerce website, phone orders, and field account management. Its largest area of expertise is industrial adhesives (hot melt, cyanoacrylate, epoxy, UV curable, anaerobic, methacrylate) and Glue Dots pressure-sensitive adhesive systems. The company also distributes packaging equipment including tape dispensers, stretch film and shrink wrap systems, industrial staplers, strapping equipment, label applicators, and shipping supplies such as cartons, bubble and foam packaging, and poly bags.

Product overview

Star Packaging Supplies Co. is an industrial packaging supplies distributor specializing in adhesives for packaging and product assembly since 1941. The company operates as a multi-category product distributor offering a comprehensive portfolio organized around core product lines: Adhesive Equipment (bulk hot melt dispensers, glue guns, label gluers, roll coaters) and Industrial Adhesives (hot melt, cyanoacrylate, epoxy, UV curable, anaerobic, methacrylate); Glue Dots brand pressure-sensitive adhesive dots with associated dispensers from manual to fully automated (SD-900); SKID-LOCK water-based FDA-approved palletizing adhesive system; Industrial Staplers and Stitchers; Bottle Labelers (Advent brand); Tape Products (carton sealing, duct, masking, water-activated, strapping); Hook & Loop Fasteners; Stretch Film and Pallet Wrappers (Eagle brand); Shrink Wrap Equipment and Film; Bubble and Foam Protective Packaging; Corrugated Cartons and Mailers; Poly Bags and Plastic Packaging; Labeling Equipment including label applicators and tabbing machines (Staplex, EdgeTec); Tape Dispensers (hand guns, water-activated dispensers from Phoenix and Betterpack, L-Clip applicators); Strapping Equipment; and general Shipping Room Supplies. Products are sourced from various manufacturers including Glue Dots (brand), Gluefast, 3M, Tape Logic, Phoenix, Eagle, Staplex, EdgeTec, and others. The company serves industries throughout Wisconsin and the US with local support from Milwaukee headquarters.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Industrial Adhesives Comprehensive range of industrial-strength adhesives for manufacturing and product assembly, including bulk hot melt and liquid adhesives, glue sticks, cyanoacrylates, epoxies (one and two-part), UV curable adhesives, anaerobic adhesives/sealants, and methacrylate structural adhesives for bonding thermoplastics, metals, and composite materials. Targeted at industrial manufacturers and packaging operations needing reliable bonding solutions.
• Adhesive Equipment Industrial adhesive application equipment for manufacturing and packaging operations, including bulk hot melt dispensers, hot and cold rolling equipment, glue guns, Gluefast label gluers, hot melt roll coaters, and Potdevin gluing machines. For manufacturers and packaging operations applying adhesives on production lines.
• Glue Dots Brand Products Pressure-sensitive adhesive dots from Glue Dots available in Low, Medium, High, and Super High tack levels and in Low, Medium, and High profiles, with associated dispenser systems ranging from manual (dispenser boxes, Dot Shot Pro handheld dispensers, EconoDot bench-top applicators) to semi-automated (Auto Dot Pro) and fully automated inline systems (SD-900, capable of 120 dots per minute). For packaging, assembly, and product-orientation applications.
• SKID-LOCK Palletizing System Water-based, FDA-approved palletizing and unitizing adhesive system distributed from Gluefast. Stabilizes pallet loads by creating shear-strength bonds between packages, reducing or eliminating stretch wrap, strapping, and corner boards, with claimed potential of 50% savings in packaging materials. For manufacturing and shipping operations palletizing and unitizing product loads.
• Tape Dispensers Tape dispensing equipment for shipping operations, including handheld tape guns (Standard Duty, Seal Safe, Mouse Trap style), water-activated tape dispensers (Phoenix E-1, E-2, E-4, M-1, M-2; Betterpack), carton taping and erecting equipment, L-Clip tape applicators (EdgeTec), definite length dispensers, and tape cutting blades. For shipping departments, mailhouses, and packaging centers.
• Tape Products Packaging tapes for shipping and industrial use, including carton sealing tape (Tape Logic, 3M brands) with acrylic and hot melt adhesives in various mil thicknesses, colored carton sealing tape, duct tape (Tape Logic, 3M, Gorilla), masking tape (general purpose, industrial, painter's, colored, double-sided), water-activated tape (reinforced and non-reinforced), and strapping tape. For shipping departments, manufacturing, and general industrial applications.
• Industrial Staplers Heavy-duty stapling equipment for carton closure, including carton top closing staplers (Klinch Pak, ISM Brand, Josef Kihlberg, Spotnails), carton bottom and sidearm staplers, pneumatic plier staplers, electric staplers (single and multi-head), wire stitchers, and corresponding carton staples in various crown sizes and materials including stainless steel. For manufacturing and packaging operations requiring durable carton closure.
• Stretch Film and Pallet Wrappers Stretch film products including hand stretch film, machine length stretch film, extended core film, anti-static film, black opaque film, colored film, vented pallet wrap, and VCI stretch film, plus Eagle-brand pallet wrapping machines ranging from turntables to fully automatic wrappers. For shipping departments and warehouses stabilizing palletized loads.
• Shrink Wrap Equipment and Film Shrink packaging solutions including polyolefin shrink film, shrink film bags (domed, flat), shrink film systems (I-Bar), shrink film heat guns, shrink tubing, and Ripack gun extension poles. For packaging operations needing secondary product containment.
• Bubble and Foam Packaging Protective packaging materials including air bubble rolls (standard, heavy-duty, anti-static, cohesive, UPSable), bubble pouches, foam rolls (perforated, anti-static, cohesive), foam sheets, convoluted foam sets, foam edge and corner protectors, foam shippers, and Instapak Quick RT foam-in-place packaging systems. For shippers protecting products in transit.
• Corrugated Cartons and Mailers Cardboard packaging including corrugated cartons in various sizes (3" to 70"), corrugated sheets and pads, heavy-duty boxes, gaylord containers, moving boxes, telescoping boxes, side loading boxes, corrugated mailers, easy-fold mailers, literature mailers, garment mailers, and mailing tubes. For shipping departments and ecommerce fulfillment operations.
• Poly Bags and Plastic Packaging Plastic packaging including flat poly bags, gusseted poly bags, reclosable / minigrip bags, poly tubing, anti-static bags, moisture barrier bags, static shielding bags, pallet covers, furniture and garment bags, and bag sealers. For manufacturers, warehouses, and electronic-component shippers.
• Strapping Equipment Strapping systems including Eagle automatic arch strappers, semi-automatic strapping machines, hand grade polyester and polypropylene strapping, machine grade strapping, steel strapping, strapping carts, tools, buckles, seals, and battery-operated strapping tools. For warehouses and shipping operations securing pallets and bundles.
• Labeling Equipment Label application equipment including benchtop label applicators, Advent-brand bottle and pail labelers, handheld label dispensers, label rewinders/unwinders, manual and semi-automatic label dispensers, tabbing machines (Staplex Tabster, EdgeTec), and wafer seal applicators with corresponding tabs in various sizes. For manufacturing and packaging operations applying product labels.
• Shipping Room Supplies Workspace supplies for shipping rooms and warehouses, including carton stands, bubble and foam roll dispensers, markers (Marsh, Sharpie), stencil machines, utility knives, and shop towels (Clean Task, Mayfair, Toolbox brands). For shipping departments and mailhouses.
• Bottle Labelers Advent-brand bottle and pail label applicators for applying product labels in manufacturing and packaging operations. For manufacturers labeling bottles and pails in production environments.
• Packing Envelopes Document and packing list envelopes including clear face document envelopes, invoice / packing list enclosed envelopes, bilingual envelopes, environmental and military spec variants, SDS packing list envelopes, and resealable options. For shipping departments attaching paperwork to outbound packages.
• Hook and Loop Fasteners Touch fastener closure systems including combo packs, strips on rolls, dots on rolls, and precut squares and strips in various sizes and colors (black, white) for packaging, displays, and mounting applications. For manufacturers and display builders needing reusable fastening.
• Specialty Packaging Additional packaging materials including Kraft paper rolls and sheets, butcher paper, freezer paper, VCI paper products, chipboard cartons, bin boxes and storage containers, edge protectors, pallet cones, loose fill (environmentally friendly, anti-static), die cutting boards, hog rings and tools, and twist tie machines. For manufacturers, warehouses, and specialty packaging operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• SKID-LOCK palletizing system can reduce packaging material costs by 50% or more due to reduced labor and source reduction of packaging materials

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

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Glue DotscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlue Dots brand products are featured prominently on Star Packaging's website. The company is an authorized distributor of Glue Dots adhesive products including dispenser boxes, Dot Shot Pro dispensers, EconoDot applicators, Auto Dot Pro semi-automated dispensers, and SD-900 fully automated machines. Glue Dots are pressure-sensitive adhesive dots used for various packaging and assembly applications.
• SurebondercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSurebonder brand adhesives are featured on Star Packaging's website as one of their adhesive brand offerings alongside Glue Dots. Star Packaging serves as a distributor for Surebonder industrial adhesive products.
• AxxisminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAxxis shipping products are offered through Star Packaging Supplies. Axxis is described as providing powerful brands and experienced partners in the fastening tools space.
• Warren AdhesivesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWarren Adhesives industrial supplies are available through Star Packaging. Warren Adhesives is an industrial adhesive manufacturer whose products are distributed by Star Packaging.
• GluefastcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGluefast is a manufacturer of SKID-LOCK palletizing and unitizing systems. Star Packaging distributes Gluefast's SKID-LOCK adhesive system which is an efficient and environmentally friendly palletizing solution that can reduce stretch wrap, strapping, and corner board requirements by 50% or more. Gluefast products sold include label gluers, edge gluers, and various adhesive applicators.

Scale indicators3 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Uline: Massive North American distributor of packaging, shipping, and industrial supplies with a similar B2B catalog including boxes, tape, stretch film, mailers, adhesives, and warehouse supplies. Operates at vastly greater scale than Star Packaging Supplies, serving as the dominant broad-line competitor.
• Global Industrial: Multi-category industrial supply distributor with strong catalog in material handling, packaging, and warehouse supplies. Competes with Star Packaging in shipping supplies, stretch film, strapping, and packaging equipment for industrial customers.
• McMaster-Carr: Industrial supply distributor known for extensive catalog, rapid fulfillment, and broad SKU coverage. Competes with Star Packaging Supplies in packaging supplies and industrial adhesives category, though McMaster serves a wider MRO audience.
• Grainger: Industrial MRO and packaging distributor with an extensive e-commerce catalog serving manufacturers and facilities. Overlaps with Star Packaging Supplies on shipping supplies, adhesives, and packaging equipment but addresses a much broader industrial maintenance customer base.

Direct peers

• Imperial Dade: One of the largest privately held foodservice and packaging distributors in North America. Direct peer to Star Packaging Supplies in packaging supplies distribution with similar multi-category catalog (containers, wraps, adhesives, equipment) and B2B customer model.
• Box Partners: Mid-sized packaging distributor offering boxes, mailers, tape, stretch film, strapping, and protective packaging to B2B customers. Closely comparable in scale, product mix, and target customer to Star Packaging Supplies Co.
• Webstaurant Store: E-commerce-first distributor of foodservice and packaging supplies. Direct competitor in mailers, boxes, stretch film, tape, and adhesives with a similar multi-channel distribution model, though concentrated in foodservice customers.
• Paper Mart: Wholesale distributor of paper and packaging products including boxes, mailers, tissue, and protective packaging. Directly comparable to Star Packaging Supplies on paperboard packaging distribution and similar B2B customer profile.

Others

• Staplex Company: Manufacturer of electric staplers, tabbing machines, and label dispensers. Star Packaging distributes Staplex products (Tabster line), making them a supplier-partner and an adjacent peer in the niche packaging equipment category.
• Glue Dots International: Manufacturer of pressure-sensitive adhesive dots and associated dispensing equipment. Star Packaging Supplies is an authorized distributor of Glue Dots; as the supplier-partner behind Star's flagship pressure-sensitive adhesive line, it is closely tied to Star's value proposition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/star-packaging-supplies-co.

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 Star Packaging Supplies Co.