This year marks a remarkable milestone for Stanpac as we celebrate 75 years of excellence in packaging.
Since its founding in 1949, Stanpac has grown from a small producer of paperboard milk caps to a global leader in packaging solutions for dairy, ice cream, beverage, and food service industries.
This journey has been fuelled by our commitment to quality, innovation, and community—a journey we’re proud to continue with over 800 employees across six North American locations, each dedicated to bringing Stanpac’s vision to life.
A Commitment to Community
At Stanpac, we believe that success is most meaningful when shared with the communities we serve.
Over the years, we’ve demonstrated this commitment through various initiatives and partnerships:
- Donating space to house West Lincoln Community Care’s food bank and thrift store.
- Supporting the campaign to build West Lincoln’s new recreation centre, which now features the Stanpac Arena.
- Delivering groceries to residents in self-isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Spreading joy by handing out free hot chocolate at the Smithville Santa Claus Parade for many years.
We are also proud to support organizations making a difference, including:
- Smithville, Ontario:
- McNally House Hospice
- West Niagara Second Stage Housing
- the FORT (Foundation of Resources for Teens)
- Brenham, Texas:
- Forever Young Resale Shop
- Brenham Noon Lions Club
- Washington County Fair
- Boy Scouts of America
- Bellville Little League
- Miracle Farms
- Lemonade Day
- The Boys and Girls Club of Washington County
Stanpac’s community involvement is woven into our identity, ensuring we contribute positively to the places where we live and work.
A Journey Through Time: Stanpac’s Timeline of Success
Our history began under the name Standard Cap and Seal Limited as a subsidiary of an American corporation focused on producing paperboard milk caps. In 1971, Steve Witt acquired the company, giving it the name we proudly carry today—Stanpac. A few years later, Steve moved the company’s operations (with just two employees) to Smithville, Ontario.
This was the foundation for remarkable growth. Over the next 50 years, Stanpac’s capabilities and reach would expand, transforming us from a modest business to an industry leader with customers in over 30 countries. Here are some highlights along our journey:
Introduced plastic bottles and innovative caps like the Top Tab, eventually patented as Lift and Peel.
Became a leader in POGs, shipping nearly four million milk cap-style POGs weekly during the 1993 craze.
Tripled our size by acquiring SoloCup’s ice cream packaging division and expanding our production to Texas.
Added 40,000 square feet to our Smithville facility and opened a new bottle decorating plant in Wisconsin, strengthening our reach and workforce.
These milestones are not just about growth in business; they are a testament to Stanpac’s enduring commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction, and community support.
Our Locations
Core Values That Drive Stanpac’s Success
At Stanpac, our core values are the backbone of our achievements. We believe in “good people who make great packaging,” a philosophy that drives everything we do. Our employees are central to our success, which is why we invest in creating a supportive, team-oriented culture. From hands-on customer service to fair pricing, we work hard to build lasting relationships that reflect our customers’ unique needs.
This family-driven culture is also visible in our workplace, where we regularly celebrate our team with events, attendance bonuses, and initiatives like Food Truck days and team-building outings. We recently expanded our facilities to include a fitness centre and upgraded amenities for employees, providing a vibrant, welcoming environment.
Embracing Innovation and Sustainability in Packaging
Our industry has evolved over the years, and Stanpac has adapted by staying on the cutting edge of packaging innovation. We’ve invested over $40 million in state-of-the-art equipment, expanded our product offerings, and embraced sustainable packaging. One recent development, our Bio PBS paper line, offers a compostable solution for hot cups that can be made with up to 30% post-consumer fibre. Additionally, our unique “Spoon ’N Lid” single-serve ice cream package aligns with our dedication to convenience and sustainability.
These innovations reflect our commitment to environmental responsibility and align with our customers’ growing demand for greener packaging options.
Looking to the Future
As we look ahead to the next decade, Stanpac sees sustainable paper packaging as a key area of growth. We are committed to investing in our people, our products, and our processes to ensure we continue to meet the needs of a changing world. Our team is eager to tackle new challenges and explore exciting projects that align with our sustainability goals.
Celebrating 75 Years and Building for Tomorrow
In honour of our 75th anniversary, we’ve created a commemorative badge, shared nostalgic photos, and developed a timeline display to celebrate our journey. This is not just a milestone for Stanpac but a celebration of everyone who has been a part of our story—our employees, customers, and communities.
As we look to the future, we’re excited to continue delivering high-quality, sustainable packaging solutions and supporting the communities we serve. Here’s to the next 75 years and beyond!
Vintage Advertising
Click on the thumbnails below to view the full vintage ads from the Stanpac archives.
