Ava AbbottUline is a shipping and warehouse supplies wholesaler based in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. The company was founded in 1980 by Elizabeth and Richard Uihlein in their basement to sell the H-101 carton sizers.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Uline expanded to become one of the largest industrial supplies wholesalers in the US. The company hired 2,207 new employees in 2021 and around 100 warehouse associates in Jan 2022. This recruitment campaign increases its workforce to over 7000 employees. In 2021, Uline generated $5.8 billion in revenue. [1]
Uline offers over 17,000 shipping and warehouse products via 11 distribution centers across the US, Canada, and Mexico. These hubs are strategically located to ensure quick delivery to different locations within North America.
Its catalog has expanded to include shipping products, warehouse equipment, packing materials, and janitorial supplies. Uline is set on a path to success, but its founders’ political activities threaten Uline’s future. Investigation into the Jan 6th US insurrection alleges that Richard Uihlein donated millions to far-right activist groups in 2020.
This allegation can discourage some clients from doing business with Uline. The company also faces stiff competition from International Paper, WestRock, Veritiv, Greif, and Global Industrial. [2]
Here is an in-depth analysis of top Uline’s competitors and alternatives:
1. International Paper Company
Year founded: 1898
Headquarter: Memphis, Tennessee
International Paper is the world’s largest pulp and paper company. The company operates 28 pulp and paper mills, 18 recycling facilities, and 200 packaging plants. In 2021, International Paper had around 32,800 employees and reported $19.36 billion in revenue. Its revenue increased by about $1.8 billion or 10% from 2020.
International Paper produces fiber-based packaging products, which offer alternatives to Uline’s offering. The company also makes uncoated printing paper and writing paper. Both International Paper and Uline rely heavily on the North American market.
But International Paper also serves customers in 150 countries globally, selling 18 million tons of industrial packaging products in 2021. International Paper is the best Uline alternative for packaging supplies. [3]
2. WestRock
Year founded: 2015
Headquarter: Atlanta, Georgia
WestRock is the second-largest paper and packaging company in the US, after International Paper. It was founded through the merger of MeadWestvaco and RockTenn in 2015. In 2021, WestRock achieved record net sales of $18.7 billion, up 7% from $17.6 billion for fiscal 2020. [4]
WestRock offers corrugated and consumer packaging, including containerboards, coated recycled board (CRB), and cardboard boxes for shipping. The company is a sustainable packaging producer. In 2021, WestRock received a Sustainability Award of the Year from the Paperboard Packaging Council. With around 51,100 employees, WestRock is one of the largest Uline competitors.
3. Veritiv Corporation
Year founded: 2014
Headquarter: Atlanta, Georgia
Veritiv is a full-service provider of packaging supplies, hygiene products, services, and solutions. It is a Fortune 500 company founded after the merger of the xpedx division of IPC and Unisource Worldwide. In 2021, Veritiv’s net sales increased by 8% to $6.9 billion. The company has around 6,400 employees. [5]
Both Veritiv and Uline offer packaging supplies to businesses across the US, Canada, and Mexico. But Veritiv also provides print and publishing products, logistics, and supply chain management solutions. The company serves customers in several industries globally via its distribution centers in North America. Veritiv is the top Uline competitor and alternative across the board.
4. Greif, Inc.
Year founded: 1877
Headquarter: Delaware, Ohio
Greif is a leading provider of industrial packaging products and services. In 2021, Greif had 16,000 employees working across 40 countries. It generated a net income of $390.7 million in 2021, up more than 300% from $108.8 million for 2020. [6]
Greif is a Fortune 500 company, ranked #572 in 2021. The company produces coated and uncoated recycled paperboard, containerboard, reconditioned bulk containers, and more. Businesses can also use Greif’s steel, plastic, and fiber drums to store products for transportation. Greif is a worthy Uline competitor.
5. Global Industrial
Year founded: 1949
Headquarter: Port Washington, New York
Global Industrial is a value-added industrial distributor. The company offers more than a million industrial and MRO products, including exclusive Global Industrial brands. In 2021, Global Industrial had around 1,500 employees and generated $1.063 billion in revenue. [7]
Global Industrial leverages its product knowledge and solutions-based approach to help customers solve problems efficiently. It is owned by Systemax Inc. and operates through several subsidiaries, including Global Equipment Company (GEC).
Both GEC and Uline offer the same services. With over 70 years in the sector, Global Industrial has enough experience to grab Uline’s market share.
6. Lumi Inc.
Year founded: 2009
Headquarter: Los Angeles, California
Lumi started as a dye company and expanded into packaging and supply chain management. The company offers a digital packaging marketplace that allows manufacturers to design and customize their packages online. In Dec 2021, Narvar acquired Lumi for an undisclosed amount.
Narvar is a post-purchase pioneer that helps improve the customer experience for over 1100 global brands, including Levi’s, GAP, and Lululemon. While Lumi works with more than 700 direct-to-consumer brands to help them make smarter packaging decisions.
The company also provides low-cost, customizable packaging products. With Narvar, Lumi can revolutionize packaging and poach some customers from Uline. [8]
7. Berlin Packaging
Year founded: 1898
Headquarter: Atlanta, Georgia
Berlin Packaging supplies packaging and shipping products. The company has acquired 19 firms in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa since 2016, fueling its expansion globally. In 2021, Berlin Packaging had around 1000 employees and generated over $1 billion in revenue. [9]
Berlin Packaging supplies billions of items annually and provides package design, financing, and logistics services globally. In Jan 2022, the company acquired Premi, which produces packaging for cosmetic and beauty companies.
This acquisition comes less than a month after the Atlanta-based packaging specialist purchased Gerfran SAS, a supplier of glass packaging for beverages. Berlin Packaging is the fastest-growing Uline competitor. [10]
8. Orora Packaging
Year founded: 1947
Headquarter: Australia
Orora Packaging is an Australian company that manufactures shipping and packaging products using raw and recycled materials. Its Gawler Plant consumes about 80% of recycled glass or cullet collected by the South Australian container deposit scheme. In 2021, Orora’s full-year revenue was $2.74 billion. [11]
In 2018, Orora Packaging acquired Texas-based Pollock Packaging for $80.5 million. Founded in 1918, Pollock provides shipping and packaging supplies to US consumers. This acquisition pits Orora Packaging against Uline in the US market.
9. Clearwater Paper Corporation
Year founded: 2008
Headquarter: Spokane, Washington
Clearwater Paper is a premier supplier of paperboard products. Its paperboard is used for food packaging, such as folding carton boxes. In 2021, the company generated $1.8 billion in revenue. [12]
Both Clearwater Paper and Uline offer packaging solutions. But Clearwater focuses on the foodservice sector, while Uline serves businesses across all industries.
In May 2021, Clearwater Paper increased paperboard prices to counter rising labor and production costs. Higher prices undercut Clearwater’s competitive advantage over Uline. [13]
10. Ranpak Holdings Corp.
Year founded: 1972
Headquarter: Concord, Ohio
Ranpak is a leading provider of environmentally sustainable packaging solutions for e-Commerce and industrial supply chains. In 2021, Ranpak had around 800 employees and generated $383.9 million in revenue. Paper-based packaging accounted for $321.4 million. [14]
Ranpak manufactures machines and paper products used in protective packing for shipping goods. The company also provides automation solutions to inventory and supply chains for e-Commerce and industrial companies. Ranpak is one of the top Uline competitors.
References & more information
- TMJ4 Staff (2022, Jan 12). Uline hiring 100 new employees for the Kenosha facility. TMJ4 News
- Dafoe, T. (2022, Jan 2). Are Your Art Shipments Funding the Far Right? Artnet News
- Tiseo, I. (2022, Feb 25). International Paper’s revenue 2010-2021. Statista
- Smalley, M. (2021, Nov 11). WestRock achieves record net sales in the 2021 fiscal year. Recycling Today
- Veritiv Corporation (2022, Mar 1). Veritiv Announces Record Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021. PRNewswire
- Greif, Inc. (2021, Dec 8). Greif Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2021 Results. PRNewswire
- Global Industrial (2022, Feb 16). Global Industrial Reports Fourth Quarter 2021 Financial Results. Yahoo Finance
- Narvar (2021, Dec 15). Narvar Acquires Lumi to Further Enrich the Post-purchase Experience. PRNewswire
- PG Editor (2022, Jan 13). Berlin Packaging acquires Italian cosmetic packaging company Premi. Packaging Gateway
- Berlin Packaging (2021, Dec 14). Berlin Packaging Continues European Expansion with the Acquisition of Gerfran SAS. PRNewswire
- Bate, C. (2021, Sep 1). The Hidden Sea, Orora develop a sustainable pack. Packaging News
- Clearwater Paper Corp (2022, Feb 15). Clearwater Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2021 Results. Business Wire
- Williams, E. (2021, May 6). Clearwater Paper to pull back on production. The Tribune
- Ranpak Holdings Corp. (2022, Feb 25). Ranpak Holdings Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2021 Financial Results. Business Wire
- Featured Image by CHUTTERSNAP
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Kevin Johnson
S.K. Gupta
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