www.packbgr.com
By Lisa Rouh

From the high hopes and ambitions of its humble start in the founder’s basement, BGR has grown to become a leader in high-performance packaging solutions with a clear commitment to its core values: “Own It, Innovate Fearlessly, and Win Together.”

BGR began in December 1972, when Al Backscheider transitioned from a 32-year career at Seybold Paper. Al and his wife, Helene, transformed their Finneytown, OH, home into a headquarters and distribution center, selling aluminum die castings, cutting tools, polybags, tape, and other industrial products. Later, Backscheider brought on partners from his industry network, and BGR (Backscheider, Goodwin, and Rahe) was born. A few years later, his sons, Dean and Allen, joined the company as junior sales representatives.

In the 1980s, after a decade with a delivery fleet consisting of a single wood paneled station wagon, BGR acquired its first van. The company also moved into a 5,000-square-foot facility, positioning itself for expansion to becoming a one-stop shop offering packaging, equipment, and services.

Early on, BGR discovered a niche in stretch film, strappings, bubble wrap, and labels. In the ‘90s, the team became an authorized distributor for 3M and other iconic companies, and then began slitting tape. In 2004, the acquisition of printing company Triangle Label in St. Bernard, OH, brought BGR into label manufacturing.

Today, BGR is based in West Chester, OH, where it has a 40,000-square-foot label printing and converting manufacturing site and a distribution center. Additional distribution locations are in Indianapolis, IN, and Louisville, KY. The company has a fleet of delivery trucks, an automation showroom, and a team of service technicians.

As the Midwest’s largest independent packaging distributor, BGR serves industries such as industrial, retail, beverage, agriculture, healthcare, beauty, automotive, and its leading segment, food.

Most recently, BGR has invested in state-of-the-art label printing technology, including two Screen TruePress Jet L350 UV inkjet digital presses, a 17″ Mark Andy 2200 2-color press with KTI turret rewinders, a 10″ Pace diecutter, and a 24″ Pace diecutter.

Further bolstering the team’s capabilities are a 10″ Mark Andy 2200 6-color press; a 13″ Nilpeter FB3300 8-color flexographic press with an MSC Eagle UV inkjet unit for consecutive numbering and barcoding; two Comco flexographic presses (10″, 6-color and 7″ 4-color); and a 13″ Grafotronic diecutter finisher with a UV station for spot varnishing and foil stamping.

“We are not just printing labels or tape,” explains Jamie Balent, sales director at BGR. “We are packaging experts who help you take control of your packaging performance with in-house custom label services, warehousing and national distribution of packaging supplies and equipment, and data-driven programs.”

The BGR team has also mastered the art of digitally printing CMYK on water-activated tape, allowing customers to easily change their marketing messages.

“Seeing the possibilities in both application and design has massive impact,” Balent says. “Our subject matter experts audit and deliver brand identity, throughput, sustainability, inventory management, and other insights to create value for our customers.”

Indeed, BGR concentrates on the total solution, including label automation. “We consult with our customers and their production teams to maximize their throughput with their entire production line,” Balent notes. “This end-to-end approach allows us to deliver tremendous value to our customers.”

BGR also leverages a state-of-the-art RFID tagging system to virtually manage customers’ inventory levels. “It’s a game-changer,” Balent says. “Each item has minimum and maximum levels. The customer simply grabs a case of labels, reorders occur automatically, and there are no more emergencies.”

In addition, the system reduces purchase order costs, eliminates cycle counting, and reduces carrying costs with enhanced forecasting and increased control.

Recognizing responsibility to its local community, BGR is also involved in activities such as the Adopt a Class program, where team members mentor underserved youth in the Cincinnati, OH, area and host student tours of its West Chester facility.

Under the leadership of its president and CEO, Phil Schneider, BGR continues to thrive. With a 35-year background in sales and marketing, he has added his strategic, forward-thinking approach to accelerate growth and establish market leadership.

“When I joined BGR in 2021, I was drawn by its culture – a real focus on family and putting customers first – along with its market position and potential,” Schneider says. “Our integrated manufacturing and RFID technology are tremendous assets in this fast-growing market that demands control, flexibility, and speed. We continue to lean on these principles as we strengthen our partnerships, drive local impact, and show the industry what leadership looks like at every step of the packaging supply chain. We couldn’t be prouder to have been recognized as a Top Workplace Award recipient three years in a row and as a Top Private Business in the Deloitte 100. It is testament to the mission we live out every day at BGR: ‘Unpack Potential and Deliver Value’.”