Packaging Corporation of America
Packaging Corporation of America is a United States-based manufacturer of containerboard, corrugated packaging, and related paper products.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) is an American manufacturing company headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois. Its business is centered on the production of containerboard and paper products, the conversion of those materials into corrugated boxes and other packaging, and the provision of design, fulfillment, and packaging-support services. The company’s operating footprint is primarily in the United States, with an international design and project-management presence established in Hong Kong under the name Packaging Corporation of Asia Limited. PCA traces its origins to 1959, when three companies were consolidated to form the original Packaging Corporation of America. The business later became part of Tenneco after being acquired in 1965. During the Tenneco period, the company’s corporate identity changed; in November 1995, its name was changed to Tenneco Packaging Inc. In 1999, a newly established entity restored the Packaging Corporation of America name, creating the basis for the modern company. The company operates across the packaging value chain. Its assets include containerboard mills, white-paper mills, converting plants, creative design centers, fulfillment centers, packaging and supply centers, training and resource facilities, and a technical center. This combination allows PCA to manufacture paper-based inputs, convert them into shipping and display packaging, and support customers with structural design, project management, supply coordination, and fulfillment. The network described in reference material includes six containerboard mills, two white-paper mills, 95 converting facilities, ten creative design centers, three fulfillment centers, eight packaging and supply centers, two training and resource centers, and one technical center. Expansion has been pursued in part through acquisitions. The company acquired Boise Inc. in 2013, adding significant paper and packaging operations. In 2016, it acquired TimBar Corporation and Columbus Container, Inc.; Sacramento Container Corporation followed in 2017; and Englander Container and Display was acquired in 2018. These transactions expanded PCA’s converting capacity, geographic reach, and ability to serve customers requiring corrugated packaging and related display or fulfillment solutions. PCA serves industrial, commercial, consumer, and distribution-oriented customers that use paper-based packaging. Its core proposition is an integrated manufacturing and service platform rather than a consumer-facing packaged-goods brand. The company’s current chief executive officer is Mark W. Kowlzan. PCA remains active, with operations primarily concentrated in the United States and a workforce reported in the reference material at approximately 15,500 employees.
History
Packaging Corporation of America originated in 1959 through the consolidation of three companies. The resulting enterprise developed as a manufacturer and converter of paper-based packaging. In 1965, it was acquired by Tenneco, becoming part of that larger corporate structure. The company’s identity changed during the Tenneco era: in November 1995, it adopted the name Tenneco Packaging Inc. In 1999, a new entity re-established the Packaging Corporation of America name. The modern company subsequently developed an integrated operating model spanning paper production, containerboard, corrugated conversion, packaging design, technical support, and fulfillment. Rather than relying only on material production, PCA built a network intended to support customers from packaging concept and structural design through manufacturing and supply coordination. In 2009, PCA opened a design center and project-management facility in Hong Kong. The operation used the name Packaging Corporation of Asia Limited and gave the company an international platform for design and project-management work, although its principal manufacturing and commercial footprint remained in the United States. Acquisitions became an important part of the company’s expansion. PCA acquired Boise Inc. in 2013. In 2016, it acquired TimBar Corporation and Columbus Container, Inc. The company continued this consolidation strategy with the acquisition of Sacramento Container Corporation in 2017 and Englander Container and Display in 2018. These transactions broadened the company’s converting, corrugated, display, and regional service capabilities. The company’s network includes six containerboard mills, two white-paper mills, 95 converting facilities, ten creative design centers, three fulfillment centers, eight packaging and supply centers, two training and resource centers, and one technical center. This infrastructure supports the manufacture of containerboard and white paper as well as the production of corrugated boxes, shipping containers, displays, and other paper-based packaging formats. PCA is headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois, and operates primarily in the United States. Reference material describes a workforce of approximately 15,500 employees. Mark W. Kowlzan is identified as the company’s chief executive officer. PCA remains an active publicly listed packaging manufacturer whose identity is primarily business-to-business rather than consumer-facing.
- 2009
Hong Kong design and project-management facility opened
[1]The company opened a design center and project-management facility in Hong Kong under the name Packaging Corporation of Asia Limited.
- 1999
Packaging Corporation of America name restored
[1]A new entity re-established the Packaging Corporation of America name.
- 1995
Name changed to Tenneco Packaging
[1]The company changed its name to Tenneco Packaging Inc. in November.
- 1965
Acquisition by Tenneco
[1]Packaging Corporation of America was acquired by Tenneco.
- 1959
Company founded through consolidation
[1]Three companies were consolidated to establish the original Packaging Corporation of America.
Products and positioning
An integrated North American paper and packaging manufacturer combining mill production, corrugated conversion, design, technical support, and fulfillment capabilities.
Paper packaging material
Containerboard
Containerboard is a core material produced by PCA’s paper mills and used in the manufacture of corrugated packaging. It forms part of the company’s vertically integrated model, linking mill production with downstream converting operations.
Transport and shipping packaging
Corrugated packaging
PCA manufactures corrugated boxes, shipping containers, and related formats through its converting facilities. These products serve business customers that require protection, handling, storage, and distribution packaging.
Point-of-sale packaging
Corrugated displays
Corrugated display products extend the company’s packaging capabilities beyond standard shipping containers. They are supported by PCA’s design and converting infrastructure and can combine product presentation with transport functions.
Paper product
White paper
White paper is produced within PCA’s paper-mill network. It represents a distinct product area alongside containerboard and supports the company’s broader paper-manufacturing portfolio.
Packaging services
Packaging design and project management
PCA operates creative design centers and project-management facilities that help customers develop packaging structures and coordinate packaging programs. These services connect product development with manufacturing and fulfillment.
Brand decisions
2018
Acquisition of Englander Container and DisplayM&ABackground
PCA sought to strengthen its container and display-packaging capabilities.
Action taken
The company acquired Englander Container and Display.
Aftermath
The acquisition added container and display capabilities to PCA’s network. No financial terms or subsequent operating details are specified in the supplied material.
2017
Acquisition of Sacramento Container CorporationM&ABackground
PCA continued using acquisitions to increase its geographic and converting capacity.
Action taken
PCA acquired Sacramento Container Corporation.
Aftermath
The transaction added to PCA’s corrugated packaging network; the supplied reference material does not state financial terms.
2016
Acquisitions of TimBar Corporation and Columbus ContainerM&ABackground
PCA continued expanding its corrugated converting and regional packaging network.
Action taken
The company acquired TimBar Corporation and Columbus Container, Inc.
Aftermath
The acquisitions broadened PCA’s converting and corrugated-packaging operations. No financial terms are included in the supplied material.
2013
Acquisition of Boise Inc.M&ABackground
PCA pursued growth through the addition of paper and packaging manufacturing assets.
Action taken
PCA acquired Boise Inc.
Aftermath
The transaction expanded PCA’s paper and packaging platform. The supplied material does not provide financial terms or further integration details.
2009
Establishment of Hong Kong design and project-management operationsStrategyBackground
PCA sought to extend its design and project-management capabilities beyond its primarily United States-based operating footprint.
Action taken
The company opened a Hong Kong design center and project-management facility operating under the name Packaging Corporation of Asia Limited.
Aftermath
The facility provided an international design and project-management presence; no further outcome is specified in the supplied reference material.
Recent events
- 2018
Packaging Corporation of America acquires Englander Container and Display[1]
M&A
The acquisition added container and display-packaging capabilities to PCA’s operating network.
- 2017
Packaging Corporation of America acquires Sacramento Container Corporation[1]
M&A
PCA acquired Sacramento Container Corporation as part of its continuing expansion of corrugated packaging capacity.
- 2016
Packaging Corporation of America acquires TimBar Corporation and Columbus Container[1]
M&A
The company expanded its converting and corrugated-packaging operations through acquisitions of TimBar Corporation and Columbus Container, Inc.
- 2013
Packaging Corporation of America acquires Boise Inc.[1]
M&A
PCA acquired Boise Inc., expanding its paper and packaging manufacturing platform.
Sources2 sources
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