Our History

Shorr Packaging Corp. is one of the largest independent packaging distribution firms in the nation, built from the ground up over the span of five decades. Today, it is an employee-owned [ESOP] firm led by the Shorr family's third generation. Steeped in the tradition of a family business and coupled with an ongoing focus on innovation and growth, it provides a combination of personal attention and industry knowledge.

Our roots began in the 1920s with a sales company whose primary products included paper, bags, janitorial supplies, candy, chewing gum and notions.

• In the 1930s, Bob Shapiro became a partner in the Illinois Wholesale Company, and a young salesman, Al Richmond, joined the firm.
• In 1946, Nathan Shorr became partners with his brother-in-law, Bob Shapiro
• The 1950s, were a time of growth and change for the company
  • Nathan Shorr’s sons, Ken and Bob, joined the company in the early 1950s.
  • In 1954, Nathan Shorr bought out the estate of Bob Shapiro and became the principal owner
  • In 1958, Shorr bought Hanchett Paper Company, Chicago, and combined the operation into one firm in Aurora, Ill. Now known as Shorr Paper Products, it diversified into new lines, including retail and industrial packaging.
• In the 1960s, Ken and Bob Shorr become leaders of the company, further diversifying the business by opening an office furniture division and acquiring a Chicago-based corrugated box distributor, The Odman Corporation.
• In 1965 Shorr Paper moved across Aurora from its LaSalle Street building, a small 35,000 sq ft facility, to the much larger Columbia Ribbon and Carbon facility on River Street.
• In the 1970s, the Shorrs decided to focus on industrial packaging, anticipating that specialization would become a key to success in an increasingly complex marketplace.
• In the 1980s, the company experienced explosive growth through geographic expansion, sales in ground-breaking automation (automatic box sealing equipment), telemarketing sales, and a highly successful paper converting operation. Senior sales representative, Al Richmond, retired during this period after 65 years of company service.
• In the 1990s, the name was changed to Shorr Packaging Corporation to reflect the now total concentration on industrial packaging distribution. To support the growth of the organization, a new 165,000 sq ft headquarters and warehouse was built at 800 N. Commerce St. in Aurora, Ill.
• In 1999, David Shorr was named president.
• In the early 2000s, Shorr opened the Cincinnati branch and moved the Fishers branch to a larger facility. Our growth has called for an upgrade to our ERP systems and the implementation of a "state of the art" sales force automation program.
• Today, Shorr Packaging Corp remains independent and continues to expand through its point-of-purchase display business, packaging automation group, national accounts team, and an array of value-added services, including procurement solutions, packaging design, inventory management and consulting services.

Al Richmond retired at 85 years of age with 65 years of service and was making cold calls up to his last day of work. Dedicated people have always been - and always will be - the driving force at Shorr Packaging Corp. Richmond believed the best formula for growth is listening to the customer. This is the path we chose to follow, and history will judge whether we've chosen wisely.

To learn more about how our nearly 90 years of listening will help you today, please visit our Customer Focus page.