Powered by Menasha Corporation

History

Seven generations of packaging and supply chain integrity.

With humble beginnings as a wooden pail factory in 1849, Menasha is now one of the oldest and most successful, family-owned manufacturing businesses in the country—mainly due to our willingness to evolve and innovate to meet customer needs.

In the 19th century, barrels and other wooden containers were the dominant means of shipping goods to market. Responding to consumer needs, a small wooden pail factory opened in Menasha, Wisconsin. But after two sets of owners, the company failed to earn a profit.

A packaging revolution was taking place in the early 1900s and Menasha entered the corrugated packaging business. Thus begins the story of Menasha Corporation, which ultimately led to Menasha.

The History of Menasha

1800s

The first commercial cardboard box was produced in England in 1817, more than 200 years after the Chinese invented cardboard. Corrugated paper appeared in the 1850s; about 1900, shipping cartons of faced corrugated paperboard began to replace self-made wooden crates and boxes used for trade.1

1852

Wooden pail sale

Elisha Smith buys a tiny, struggling wooden pail factory.

1861–65

Civil War expansion

During the Civil War, the Pail Factory becomes the largest manufacturer of woodenware in Wisconsin.

1872

Menasha Wooden Ware branches out

The business is incorporated under the name Menasha Wooden Ware and is now the largest woodenware manufacturer in the Midwest, and perhaps even in the U.S.

1900s

Paper and paperboard packaging increased in popularity well into the 20th century. Then, with the advent of plastics as a significant player in packaging (late 1970s and early 1980s), paper and its related products tended to fade in use. Lately, that trend has halted as designers try to respond to environmental concerns.2

early 1900s

A packaging revolution sweeps across America

Manufacturers shift to consumer-sized packaging made of paperboard, glass, and other materials.

1927

Welcome to corrugated

Menasha Corporation enters the corrugated box business.

1933

Better labeling heats up

New Jersey Packaging, specializing in pressure-sensitive and heat-seal labels for the pharmaceutical and health care industries, is acquired by Menasha Corporation.

1955

Seven new business groups

Menasha Corporation is reorganized into seven business groups, including the Packaging Group, now known as Menasha.

1955

A growth spurt with plastic​

G. B. Lewis, a manufacturer of plastics, is acquired. This plastic container plant becomes the platform for Menasha’s early growth in plastics.

1973

Making plastic fantastic

Menasha Corporation opens the only plant in the industry devoted exclusively to making plastic pallets.

1997

Becoming an information hub

Menasha Services is established to work with other Menasha divisions to provide customers with information based on logistics and supply chain services in various markets: auto subassembly, non-auto assembly, limited menu foodservice, bulk produce, and pharmaceuticals.

2000s

In recent years, changes to the way products are packaged have been driven by a range of factors, including sustainability, e-commerce and brand loyalty. These innovations have come in all shapes and sizes — from packaging that can be eaten after use to augmented reality products designed to tell a consumer a company’s story.3

2000–02

Folding cartons open up a market

Strategic acquisitions in Pennsylvania give Menasha entry into the food market with folding cartons for supermarket in-store bakeries and delis, and modular display containers used widely throughout the confectionary industry.

2003

An institute for insights

Menasha launches the Retail Integration Institute (RII), a strategic initiative focused on developing relationships and understanding of channel-leading retailers. The knowledge and insights are leveraged with CPG customers to operate more strategically at retail.

2009

Streamlining offerings

As part of a major rebranding effort, Menasha streamlines the company’s internal divisions into the following groups: Packaging, Display, Folding Carton, PrePrint, Food, Retail Integration Institute, Healthcare, Global, and Services.

2010

Putting sustainability front and center

Making its long-standing commitment to sustainability, Menasha releases its inaugural sustainability report.

Entering the services business

2012

Striving for better

Menasha acquires The Strive Group, enhancing its manufacturing and supply chain services offering.

2013

Diversifying the East Coast

Menasha acquires Rand Diversified, enriching product and service offerings on the East Coast.

2014

Promoting print

Menasha acquires Strine Printing Company, providing increased coverage for promotional print services.

2015

O Canada

Menasha acquires PearceWellwood and Portable Packaging, entering the Canadian market.

2017

More fulfillment for contract packaging

Menasha acquires ARI Packaging, adding to its contract packaging and fulfillment capabilities.

2020

Covid safety measures

Menasha implements an employee-first approach, with rapid and coordinated protocol efforts to ensure the safety of people across the network. Menasha also packs and ships millions of Covid-19 test kits to retailers across North America.

2022

The Menasha Omnihub Network

Menasha launches a North American network focused on helping brands connect their omnichannel experience with seamless, multichannel execution, in-store and online out of one facility.

2022

Adding some color

Menasha acquires Color-Box, strengthening its portfolio of graphic packaging solutions.

2024

Innovating for 175 years

Menasha Corporation, the parent company of Menasha Packaging, celebrates 175 years of packaging and supply chain leadership.

1,2ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/cdfs-133
3www.nspackaging.com/analysis/packaging