Ranpak
Ranpak develops paper-based protective packaging materials, converting equipment, and automation systems for e-commerce and industrial shipping.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Ranpak is a United States packaging company focused on protective, paper-based solutions for shipping goods and merchandise. Its offerings combine paper materials, converting machinery, dispensing equipment, and packaging automation intended to protect products while reducing reliance on plastic-based cushioning and other conventional shipping materials. The company serves e-commerce fulfillment, industrial distribution, retail, logistics, and temperature-sensitive shipping applications. The business traces its origins to a packaging machine patented by George R. Johnson in 1970. The machine converted kraft paper into a crinkled, shock-absorbing material that could cushion automotive parts during shipment. Johnson worked with entrepreneur and engineer Raymond Q. Armington, who had experience with packing and storage inventions. Together they incorporated the company in 1972. The name Ranpak is derived from “Random Packaging,” reflecting the company’s original approach to forming protective paper cushioning material as needed. Ranpak initially built its business around paper-converting machinery and the consumable paper products used with that equipment. Its materials can be configured for several packaging functions, including wrapping, cushioning, void fill, and dunnage. Over time, the company expanded beyond standalone paper products into integrated dispensing systems and automated packing solutions designed for higher-volume fulfillment operations. The company began international manufacturing in December 1991, when it opened a production center in Heerlen, the Netherlands, to serve European customers. Its later manufacturing and office footprint included facilities or operations in the United States, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, China, and Singapore. The company’s customer base has included large global businesses such as Amazon, IKEA, and Walmart, although the reference material does not specify the scope or duration of individual customer relationships. Ranpak’s portfolio broadened through acquisitions. These included Eco-Pak Industries, a Washington-based provider of biodegradable and recyclable packing materials; Geami, a North Carolina packaging company specializing in recyclable paper-based solutions; e3neo, a French company associated with automated packaging machinery and inventory and logistics-management software; Creapaper GmbH, a German supplier of grass paper and grass-paper products; and Recycold Cool Solutions BV, a Dutch manufacturer of plant-based sustainable cool packs. These transactions extended Ranpak’s capabilities into paper wrapping, automation, software-linked packaging operations, grass-based materials, and cold-chain shipping. The company has changed financial ownership several times. First Atlantic Capital acquired Ranpak in 2001, American Capital Strategies acquired it from First Atlantic in 2005, and Odyssey Investment Partners acquired Ranpak in 2007. Rhone Group acquired the company in 2014. In 2019, a group led by One Madison Group and its founder Omar Asali purchased Ranpak from Rhone Group for a reported $950 million. Ranpak subsequently became a publicly traded company under the ticker PACK. Ranpak positions its products around paper-based protection, operational efficiency, and the substitution of traditional plastic packaging formats. Its sustainability proposition is based on renewable or recyclable paper materials and, in selected product families, plant-based inputs. The company’s solutions are particularly relevant to e-commerce, where packaging must accommodate varied product sizes, support automated fulfillment, and limit damage in parcel transportation. Recognition from Inc. and Fast Company has highlighted its innovation and logistics applications. Ranpak remains an active packaging technology and materials company headquartered in Concord, Ohio.
History
Ranpak developed from a paper-converting invention intended to protect products in transit. In 1970, George R. Johnson patented a machine that converted kraft paper into crinkled, shock-absorbing paper. The original application was the cushioning of automotive parts, which could be damaged during shipment if they were not secured and protected. Johnson collaborated with Raymond Q. Armington, an entrepreneur and engineer who held several patents related to packing and storage. The two incorporated the company in 1972, and the name Ranpak was derived from “Random Packaging.” The early business model linked specialized machinery with the paper material consumed by the machinery. This allowed customers to produce protective packaging at the point of packing rather than relying entirely on preformed plastic or paper materials. Ranpak’s paper could be used as cushioning, wrapping, void fill, and general dunnage. This equipment-and-consumables model became the foundation for the company’s later expansion into dispensing systems and automated packaging operations. Raymond Q. Armington served as chairman from the company’s incorporation until his death in 1993. In December 1991, Ranpak opened its first overseas manufacturing center in Heerlen, the Netherlands. The plant produced packaging material and packing machines for European customers and marked an important step in the company’s international development. Later operations included production facilities and offices in Reno, Nevada; Kansas City, Missouri; the Netherlands; the Czech Republic; Shanghai; and Singapore. The company became associated with customers in global commerce and industry, including Amazon, IKEA, and Walmart. In early 2002, David M. Gabrielsen became president and chief executive officer, replacing Steven E. Armington. During this period, Ranpak received recognition from Inc. magazine, which placed it among the 50 most innovative small companies of 2002 based on its patent activity. Ranpak subsequently passed through several private-equity ownership changes. First Atlantic Capital acquired the company in December 2001 for more than $100 million. First Atlantic sold Ranpak to American Capital Strategies in December 2005, and American Capital later sold Ranpak to Odyssey Investment Partners in 2007. Rhone Group acquired the company in 2014. The company expanded through acquisitions that broadened its product and technology base. Eco-Pak Industries added expertise in biodegradable and recyclable packing materials. Geami contributed recyclable paper-based packaging capabilities. The acquisition of French company e3neo extended Ranpak’s presence in automated packaging machinery as well as inventory and logistics-management software. In 2021, Ranpak acquired Creapaper GmbH, a German supplier of grass paper and related products, and Recycold Cool Solutions BV, a Dutch producer of sustainable cool packs made from plant-based materials. In 2019, a group led by One Madison Group and Omar Asali acquired Ranpak from Rhone Group for a reported $950 million. Ranpak later operated as a publicly traded company under the ticker PACK. Its strategic direction has centered on the growth of e-commerce fulfillment, automation, paper-based protective packaging, and sustainability-oriented alternatives to plastic shipping materials. Fast Company recognized the company in 2021 for logistics innovation, specifically citing its efforts to replace traditional shipping materials such as bubble wrap with paper alternatives. Today, Ranpak is an active packaging company headquartered in Concord, Ohio. It combines protective paper products with machinery, dispensing systems, automation, and selected cold-chain and fiber-based packaging technologies. Its historical development reflects a progression from a specialized automotive-parts cushioning invention to a global packaging platform serving parcel shipping, industrial distribution, retail, and e-commerce operations.
- 2021
Acquisition of Creapaper GmbH
[1]Ranpak acquired German grass-paper supplier Creapaper GmbH.
- 2021
Acquisition of Recycold Cool Solutions BV
[1]Ranpak purchased Dutch manufacturer Recycold Cool Solutions BV and expanded into plant-based cool-pack products.
- 2021
Fast Company logistics innovation recognition
[1]Fast Company recognized Ranpak as a leading logistics innovator for paper alternatives to conventional shipping materials.
- 2019
One Madison-led group acquires Ranpak
[1]A group led by One Madison Group and Omar Asali purchased Ranpak from Rhone Group for a reported $950 million.
- 2014
Rhone Group acquires Ranpak
[1]Rhone Group acquired the company from Odyssey Investment Partners.
- 2007
Odyssey Investment Partners acquires Ranpak
[1]American Capital Strategies sold Ranpak to Odyssey Investment Partners.
- 2005
American Capital Strategies acquires Ranpak
[1]First Atlantic Capital sold Ranpak to American Capital Strategies.
- 2002
New president and CEO appointed
[1]David M. Gabrielsen became president and CEO, replacing Steven E. Armington.
- 2002
Recognized by Inc. magazine
[1]Inc. magazine named Ranpak among its 50 most innovative small companies, citing its patent activity.
- 2001
First Atlantic Capital acquires Ranpak
[1]First Atlantic Capital purchased Ranpak in a transaction reported at more than $100 million.
Products and positioning
Ranpak positions itself as a paper-based alternative to plastic protective packaging, combining renewable or recyclable materials with dispensing equipment and automation for e-commerce, industrial, retail, and temperature-sensitive fulfillment.
Protective packaging · 1970
Paper cushioning
Ranpak’s original product area converts kraft paper into crinkled or otherwise formed cushioning material. The resulting paper dunnage is designed to absorb shock and limit movement around products during shipment. It originated in automotive-parts packaging and later became applicable to e-commerce and industrial fulfillment.
Paper-based protective packaging
Paper wrapping and void fill
Ranpak supplies paper materials and related dispensing equipment for wrapping products and filling empty space inside shipping containers. These applications help stabilize merchandise, separate items, and provide protection without relying solely on plastic films, foam, or bubble wrap.
Packaging equipment · 1970
Packaging converting and dispensing machinery
The company’s equipment converts paper stock into usable cushioning, wrapping, or void-fill formats at the packing station. Dispensing machinery supports on-demand material production and can be used in both manual and higher-throughput fulfillment environments.
Packaging automation
Automated packaging solutions
Ranpak’s automation activities combine packing machinery with operational systems intended for e-commerce and industrial fulfillment. The portfolio was expanded through the acquisition of e3neo, which specialized in automated packaging machinery and inventory and logistics-management software.
Fiber-based packaging materials · 2021
Grass-paper products
Through the acquisition of Creapaper GmbH, Ranpak added grass paper and grass-paper products to its fiber-based materials portfolio. The acquisition broadened the company’s sustainability-oriented packaging options beyond conventional kraft-paper formats.
Cold-chain packaging · 2021
Plant-based cool packs
Recycold Cool Solutions BV contributed sustainable cool packs made from plant-based materials. These products extend Ranpak’s protective-packaging activities into temperature-sensitive distribution and cold-chain shipping.
Brand decisions
2021
Acquisitions broaden fiber and cold-chain capabilitiesM&ABackground
Ranpak sought to expand its sustainable materials portfolio and address additional packaging applications.
Action taken
The company acquired Creapaper GmbH and Recycold Cool Solutions BV.
Aftermath
The transactions added grass-paper products and plant-based cool packs to Ranpak’s packaging offering.
2019
Ownership transfer from Rhone Group to One Madison-led groupM&ABackground
Rhone Group had owned Ranpak since 2014, while One Madison Group pursued the acquisition of the packaging company.
Action taken
A group led by One Madison Group and Omar Asali purchased Ranpak from Rhone Group.
Aftermath
Omar Asali became president and CEO, and Ranpak subsequently operated as a publicly traded company under the PACK ticker.
Reported acquisition value. $950 million (2019 transaction)
1991
International manufacturing expansionStrategyBackground
Ranpak needed production capacity closer to European packaging customers and markets.
Action taken
The company opened its first foreign manufacturing center in Heerlen, the Netherlands, producing paper packaging materials and machinery.
Aftermath
The facility established a European manufacturing base and supported Ranpak’s subsequent international operating footprint.
Recent events
- 2021
Ranpak recognized by Fast Company for logistics innovation[1]
Other
Fast Company named Ranpak among its leading innovators in logistics, highlighting the company’s use of paper alternatives to conventional materials such as bubble wrap.
- 2021
Ranpak acquires Creapaper GmbH[1]
M&A
Ranpak acquired German grass-paper supplier Creapaper GmbH, expanding its portfolio of fiber-based packaging materials.
- 2021
Ranpak acquires Recycold Cool Solutions BV[1]
M&A
Ranpak purchased Dutch cool-pack manufacturer Recycold Cool Solutions BV, adding plant-based cold-chain packaging capabilities.
- 2019
Ranpak acquired by a group led by One Madison Group[1]
M&A
One Madison Group and its founder Omar Asali led the acquisition of Ranpak from Rhone Group in a transaction reported at $950 million.
- 2002
Ranpak receives recognition among Inc. magazine's innovative small companies[1]
Other
Inc. magazine included Ranpak among its top 50 most innovative small companies, citing the number of patents awarded to the business.
Sources3 sources
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