Two years ago, a slew of consumer goods from toilet paper and hand sanitizer to cars and pet food were suddenly hard to come by. A perfect storm of factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic and labor shortages, swept the globe and crippled supply networks across a range of industries and geographic locations.

Although many businesses have bounced back, paper, packaging, and printing supplies are still low, which is driving up costs for both manufacturers and buyers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the cost of wood pulp—the raw material used in paper—has risen 50.2% over the past year. As a result, the price of paper has gone up 16% since last summer. Some companies in the wide format space have seen prices increase between 25% and 40% over the past six to nine months. Experts predict these tight conditions will continue into 2023.

While you can’t anticipate every bump in the road ahead, there are strategies and tools you can deploy to help you see around the next corner, ensuring your business’s supply needs are met. Here are a few ways to stay stocked when your go-to products are in short supply.

Proactively Invest in Inventory Needs

To say that typical ordering and shipping timelines have become unpredictable is an understatement. At Mac Papers and Packaging, we’ve seen lead times on certain imports jump from three months to five, with container freight costs shooting from $3,500 to as high as $27,000. Prices are changing at a rapid pace, and inventory outages are a real concern for most printing and packaging-related companies.

That means inventory management is more important now than ever. If you don’t have a structured inventory process in place, start small by taking practical, proactive steps to avoid running out of materials. For example, if you know how much product you typically use per quarter or even per year, place preemptive orders weeks or, ideally, months in advance. Investing in inventory management will also help with overall cash flow and capacity planning.

This is where your distributor comes in—they will understand your supply needs as well as (or possibly better than) you do, particularly if you’ve enjoyed a long-standing relationship. They can play a key role in determining proper stock levels, securing competitive pricing, and planning for the future.

 Stay Flexible

Partnering with a distributor that carries multiple products, brands, and types of components will make it easier to adapt to fluctuating supply and demand. It’s always beneficial to have options, especially when your first choice isn’t available. That means you might have to try a new brand or experiment with different materials. Working with new materials can be challenging, but your distributor can help you navigate Option B when supply chain issues strike and Option A isn’t available.

Trying new things might even result in a happy accident: Recently, a Mac Papers and Packaging customer was unable to purchase the brand name vehicle wrap they typically used for printing. We were able to find a suitable alternative at a lower price than their usual choice, which was a welcome win for the client.

Communicate with Customers

Whether you’re simply providing a status update or delivering not-so-great news, it’s crucial that you keep the lines of communication open between you and your customers. Because even when a single node of your supply chain goes haywire, the ripple effects can be felt down to the end user.

Due in part to the ubiquity of push notifications and AI-generated status updates, customers expect to be informed. No one wants to be blindsided by a late shipment or product shortage, and your customers will reward you with their loyalty if they feel you are doing everything in your power to help them reach their goals.

Despite the ongoing nature of these supply chain challenges, you can soften the blow to your business by planning ahead, communicating effectively, and partnering with a dealer that can work with you to secure the supplies you need.

Mac Papers and Packaging Announces New Chief Executive Officer

Charles Paquin brings two decades of commercial experience and finance leadership to role

JACKSONVILLE, Florida (February 1, 2021) –

Mac Papers and Packaging, one of the largest paper and packaging distributors in the Southeast U.S., announced today the appointment of Charles Paquin as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer.

Prior to joining Mac Papers and Packaging, Paquin served as President and Chief Executive Officer of ModSpace Corporation, a North American leader in turnkey modular space and portable storage solutions with 80 branch locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. During Paquin’s 15-year tenure as CEO, he led the acquisition of General Electric’s modular space division and spearheaded the highly successful sale of ModSpace to its primary competitor, WillScot.

“Charles brings valuable expertise to the role, including deep experience with a complex branch-based distribution business, a strong financial background and extensive executive leadership experience,” stated Stephen Presser, Co-founder and Partner at Monomoy Capital Partners, the private equity firm that acquired Mac Papers and Packaging in March, 2020. “We’re confident that Charles will do a fantastic job leading the company, working closely with the impressive senior leadership team already in place as they focus on delivering top-notch customer service and strategically growing the business.”

Previously, Paquin served as the Chief Financial Officer for Volvo Commercial Finance North America for approximately six years. He began his career on General Electric’s corporate audit staff.

President and COO Rick Mitchell, who announced his decision to retire late last year, will remain with the company for an appropriate transition period.

“We greatly appreciate Rick’s many contributions, most notably his dedicated leadership through Monomoy’s acquisition of the company and skillfully steering the ship throughout the challenges presented by the pandemic,” stated Presser. “I know the entire Mac Papers and Packaging team joins all of us at Monomoy in wishing Rick the very best in his well-deserved retirement.”

About Mac Papers and Packaging

One of the largest wholesale distributors in the southeastern United States, Mac Papers and Packaging is a trusted distribution partner for paper and print, packaging materials and equipment, wide format products and equipment, facility supplies and office products. The company also converts and prints an extensive range of standard and custom envelopes at its state-of-the-art converting facility in Jacksonville, Florida. The First Coast city is also home to the company’s headquarters office. Founded in 1965, Mac Papers and Packaging operates distribution centers and retail stores throughout the Southeast.

Mac Papers and Packaging is owned by Monomoy Capital Partners, a private equity firm with $1.6 billion in committed capital that invests in middle-market businesses in the manufacturing, industrial, distribution and consumer products sectors.

To learn more, please visit www.macpapers.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

Media Contact

Caryn King
[email protected]
904.263.5628

Mac Papers and Packaging Announces Senior Leadership Promotions

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (December 1, 2020) – Mac Papers and Packaging, one of the largest paper and packaging distributors in the Southeast U.S., announced today the promotion of several senior leaders across its business segments.

Executive Vice President, Paper, Craig Boortz, who currently oversees the company’s paper business segment, has been given the additional responsibility of regional management for all of the company’s distribution centers. Accordingly, all distribution center general managers now report directly to Boortz. Also reporting to Boortz is Mac Papers and Packaging veteran Carter Whiddon, who has been named Vice President, Inside Sales, a newly created role that reflects the company’s dedicated focus on outstanding customer service.

“Craig’s enduring commitment to Mac Papers and Packaging spans 28 years,” stated President and COO Rick Mitchell. “His proven leadership, industry knowledge and business skills have served Craig well, and we’re confident that he will excel in the expanded role. As Craig is quick to point out, working with a team of seasoned and skilled senior distribution center managers will go a long way toward ensuring excellent results.”

Chris McCabe has been named Executive Vice President, Packaging. McCabe joined the company in August, 2014, as Vice President of Packaging, bringing a wealth of industry experience. Over the past six years, McCabe has led the development of a comprehensive offering of packaging materials, equipment, and services and solutions, including kitting, design, customized programs for companies with complex packaging challenges, and single-source packaging programs for multi-location companies. McCabe also established the company’s exclusive Castle® packaging brand.

“Chris’s strategic vision, business acumen, effective leadership style and ability to recruit experienced talent have been instrumental in establishing packaging as a core part of our business,” stated Mitchell. “Our commitment to invest in and grow the packaging business is reflected in the addition of ‘+ Packaging’ to our corporate identity that we announced in October. I have complete confidence that Chris and the experienced team of packaging professionals he leads will continue to grow all aspects of packaging for the company.”

Ash Weekley has been promoted to Vice President, Wide Format & Graphics, and will now report directly to Mitchell. Since joining the wide format team as business development manager in 2017, Weekley has positioned Mac Papers and Packaging as a preferred distribution partner to well-known wide format equipment manufacturers and media brands. Weekley established the company’s Argent® wide format media brand and led the development of the re-imagined Wide Format IDEA Center™ the company recently announced.

“With Ash’s hard work and wide format know-how, Mac Papers + Packaging has become recognized in a short time as a respected full-service supplier to the wide format industry,” stated Mitchell. “I’m confident that Ash and the impressive team of experts he has assembled will continue to be successful in further expanding our wide format media and equipment offering to printers, sign shops and end users.”

Scott Sipkovsky has been named Vice President and General Manager of Mac Papers Envelope Converters (MPEC). After serving as Controller at MPEC for 20 years, Sipkovsky was named Director of Operations of the business in August 2019.

“Scott has been instrumental in achieving operational improvements that have continued to position MPEC as an industry leader in quality,” stated Mitchell. “Providing top-notch customer service and reliable on-time delivery is also extremely important to us, and we’re confident that we’ll continue realizing both under Scott’s proven leadership.”

About Mac Papers and Packaging

One of the largest wholesale distributors in the southeastern United States, Mac Papers and Packaging is a trusted distribution partner for paper and print, packaging materials and equipment, wide format products and equipment, facility supplies and office products. The company also converts and prints an extensive range of standard and custom envelopes at its state-of-the-art converting facility in Jacksonville, Florida. The First Coast city is also home to the company’s headquarters office. Founded in 1965, Mac Papers and Packaging operates distribution centers and retail stores throughout the Southeast.

Mac Papers and Packaging is owned by Monomoy Capital Partners, a private equity firm with $1.6 billion in committed capital that invests in middle-market businesses in the manufacturing, industrial, distribution and consumer products sectors.

To learn more, please visit www.macpapers.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

Media Contact

Caryn King
[email protected]
904.263.5628

Mac Papers Reveals ‘Mac Papers and Packaging’ as New Corporate Identity 

New name reflects the company’s proven leadership position in and strong commitment to the packaging industry as well as its strategic priority to continue growing a core part of its business

JACKSONVILLE, Florida (October 8, 2020) –

Mac Papers, one of the largest merchant distributors in the Southeast U.S., announced today the evolution of its corporate identity to Mac Papers and Packaging, marking an exciting next chapter in the company’s 55-year history as Mac Papers.

“Our new name is a natural progression for the company,” stated Mac Papers and Packaging President and COO Rick Mitchell. “We have built a comprehensive packaging business that’s a core part of our company and a key contributor to our success, and we will continue to invest in its growth.”

Mac Papers and Packaging offers an extensive range of packaging materials and equipment from leading companies in the industry. The company also offers its diverse base of customers a wide range of packaging solutions and services, including kitting, packaging design and e-commerce expertise, as well as customized packaging programs for companies with complex packaging challenges and single-source packaging programs for multi-location companies.

“The addition of ‘+Packaging’ to our company logo is an exciting milestone that signifies the intentional growth of our packaging capabilities over the past seven years and signals our plan to continue the strategic expansion of our packaging business,” stated Vice President of Packaging Chris McCabe. “Our growth trajectory has been fueled by strong partnerships with leading suppliers in the industry, multiple strategic acquisitions, and by bringing together a team of packaging experts who embrace our customer-centric approach.”

McCabe added “Our corporate management and strategic accounts teams, sales professionals, automation experts and certified technicians have extensive experience with a wide array of markets and industries, including manufacturing, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, e-commerce, and fulfillment and distribution. They all share my excitement with where we are as a company and our bright future as we continue to grow our packaging business.”

In January, 2018, the company introduced its own packaging materials line as part of its continued commitment to providing customers with best-in-class packaging solutions. The Castle® product line now includes acrylic, hot melt and reinforced water-activated carton sealing tapes as well as an extensive offering of stretch film.

“We plan to invest in and grow our packaging business while remaining steadfast in our commitment to provide valued customers with best-in-class paper, print, wide format and facility supplies products and solutions, as well as envelopes from our state-of-the-art converting operation,” stated Mitchell. “That commitment includes expanding our wide format media and equipment offering and services to printers, sign shops and end users. We’re incredibly excited about what’s ahead for Mac Papers and Packaging.”

The video below reveals our new corporate ID.  Download our new logos below.

About Mac Papers and Packaging

One of the largest wholesale distributors in the southeastern United States, Mac Papers and Packaging is a trusted distribution partner for paper and print, packaging materials and equipment, wide format products and equipment, facility supplies and office products. The company also converts and prints an extensive range of standard and custom envelopes at its state-of-the-art converting facility in Jacksonville, Florida. The First Coast city is also home to the company’s headquarters office. Founded in 1965, Mac Papers and Packaging operates distribution centers and retail stores throughout the Southeast.

Mac Papers and Packaging is owned by Monomoy Capital Partners, a private equity firm with $1.6 billion in committed capital that invests in middle-market businesses in the manufacturing, industrial, distribution and consumer products sectors. To learn more, please visit macpapers.com.

Media Contact

Caryn King
[email protected]
904.263.5628

Mac Papers Announces New Chief Financial Officer

Ron Crowell brings over 25 years of finance leadership and extensive M&A experience to role

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (June 9, 2020) – Mac Papers, one of the largest merchant distributors in the southeastern United States, announced today the addition of finance executive Ron Crowell as the company’s new Chief Financial Officer. Crowell joins the company as Greg Gay, Mac Papers’ CFO for the past 10 years, transitions into retirement.

Crowell brings over 25 years of finance leadership to the role, most recently as CFO for APR Energy, a Jacksonville-based global provider of power solutions. Prior to joining APR Energy, Crowell served as Senior Vice President of Finance for World Fuel Services, Inc. for approximately six years.

“I’m thrilled that Ron has joined our leadership team,” stated Rick Mitchell, Mac Papers President and Chief Operating Officer. “In addition to extensive finance expertise, Ron brings a wealth of M&A experience – skills that will greatly assist Mac Papers in its strategic growth trajectory.”

Gay has accepted an independent director position on the Mac Papers Board of Directors for Monomoy Capital Partners, the private equity firm that acquired Mac Papers earlier this year.

“I greatly appreciate Greg’s many valuable contributions during his tenure at Mac Papers, especially his excellent work and partnership through numerous acquisitions and the recent sale of Mac Papers to Monomoy,” stated Mitchell. “We are pleased that Greg will continue to be involved with the business through his new role on the Mac Papers Board.”

About Mac Papers

One of the largest wholesale distributors in the southeastern United States, Mac Papers is a trusted distribution partner for paper and print, packaging materials and equipment, wide format products and equipment, facility supplies and office products. The company also converts and prints an extensive range of standard and custom envelopes at its state-of-the-art converting facility in Jacksonville, Florida. The First Coast city is also home to Mac Papers’ headquarters office. Founded in 1965, Mac Papers operates branch locations and retail stores throughout the Southeast.

Mac Papers is owned by Monomoy Capital Partners, a private equity firm with $1.6 billion in committed capital that invests in middle-market businesses in the manufacturing, industrial, distribution and consumer products sectors. To learn more, please visit macpapers.com.

Media Contact

Caryn King
[email protected]
904.263.5628

Looking for ways to express your love and appreciation to mom this Sunday? There are so many meaningful and creative ways to show you care with paper! Our friends at Domtar Paper and The Paper and Packaging Board have shared a few that are perfect for Mother’s Day:

At Mac Papers, we are honored to be a part of the worldwide effort to sustain and protect the environment, especially our planet’s valuable forests – every day of the year.  As we join our supply partners, customers and industry associations in celebrating the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, we are pleased to share some of the news, activities and facts that inspired us today.

1. Channel your creative side and bring nature indoors for Neenah’s Design Your Nature contest. Upcycle products found around your home — fabric, magazines, yarn, even toilet paper cores — to design a floral creation. Submit your entry by May 8th for a chance to score some green!
2. Get the kids in on the Earth Day fun with an activity book from Berry Global that teaches about important ways to reduce, recycle and reuse. 
3. Test your paper facts. Did you know that in the United States there are 20% more trees today than there were in 1970 when the first Earth Day celebration took place? Now that you know the answer to the first question on the Facts About Paper quiz from our friends at Paper & Packaging, click on the link above to see if you can score 100% on the rest of the quiz.
4. Read all about Renewal, Mohawk’s brand new portfolio of papers made with hemp, straw and recycled cotton fiber.  Compatible with digital and offset presses, Renewal Papers are available in available in seven colors and two finishes. Mac Papers is a proud supplier of Mohawk paper and we would be happy to help you learn more about Renewal.
5. Take a selfie with a favorite tree in your backyard or on a socially distancing walk in your neighborhood or park. Care to share it? Post your selfie on social media using the hashtag treeselfies and be sure to tag @Howlifeunfolds.
6. Learn the facts about deforestation. Although the rapid loss of tree cover isn’t an issue in North America, it is in other parts of the world.  Read this interesting post by Domtar Paper and be sure to recycle paper products.
7. Make handmade seed paper! Cardboard boxes are incredibly sustainable — recyclable and biodegradable — and there are loads of creative ways to reuse them as well. Click here for the seed paper “recipe” from Paper and Packaging.
8. Learn about how trees fight climate change with this clever infographic from Sappi North America. Visit Sappi’s Instagram page to view the animated version.

Adjusting to working from home and trying to get it all done with little ones nearby? Some of our Mac Papers working parents are too, and they have compiled a list of their favorite paper love activities to help keep the kids engaged.

Thanks to our friends at International Paper, Mohawk, and Domtar for the inspiration – and special thanks to our furry friends Apollo the Spacedog and the Easter bunny!

1. Read about the adventures of “Apollo the Spacedog” and color outside the lines with Apollo coloring sheets: https://www.accentopaque.com/accentonreading
2. Make homemade cards to let loved ones you can’t spend time with right now how much you care. https://www.mybluprint.com/article/easy-card-making-ideas-that-take-30-minutes-or-less
3. Download and print these fun activity sheets: https://paper.domtar.com/blog/campaign/activity-templates-for-kids/
4. Reel in more reading and coloring fun with a delightful children’s book by Craig Frazier: https://www.craigfrazier.com/coloringbook. You can also submit your child’s handiwork and be a part of Craig’s collective project on Instagram.
5. Make Easter decorations with a few simple household supplies – paper, safety scissors, glue, string and a bit of imagination: https://www.redtedart.com/paper-easter-crafts/