Elkhart’s Welch Packaging Acquires Pierce Box

Welch Packaging, a multi-site family-owned business concentrated in the Midwest, has acquired Pierce Box and Paper Corp., a supplier of corrugated packaging and supplies located in Belvidere, Illinois. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed, according to a release.

Pierce Box’s product offerings include corrugated boxes as well as a range of packaging supplies, such as foam, pallets and film. Acquiring Pierce Box extends the Welch Packaging geographic service area into northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

“Pierce Box has a solid reputation with customers as a provider of corrugated boxes and services. Since its founding in 1953, Pierce Box has been known for responsive, flexible and experienced service,” Scott Welch, CEO of Welch Packaging, said.

“Owner Gregg Franchini and key managers John Menzies and Denise Blanken have guided Pierce Box to achieve success over the years. As Gregg enjoys a successful retirement, we look forward to working with John and Denise to grow Pierce Box and expand our product capabilities to customers.”

“In transitioning the ownership of Pierce Box, I was looking for a partner to ensure we realized the growth potential existing in our local market — while maintaining a personal and family-owned culture,” Pierce Box Owner and Chairman Gregg Franchini said. “John and Denise will work closely with Welch to extend our customer base and expand our packaging solutions for the benefit of our customers.”

“Making a difference for our customers, our associates and our communities is what Welch Packaging is all about. We look forward to partnering with Pierce Box to extend this mission into a new marketplace,” Welch said.