Step back in time to 1976, when gas was sold for $.59/gallon, and Dan Irmen was a hard worker at a poly bag manufacturer in America. He resided on a farm where he established Rapid Packaging, selling poly bags and stock bags from his barn. Throughout the years, Dan expanded his product lines and purchased the late Connor Company in 1981 to accelerate his company’s momentum. By 1988, Rapid Packaging achieved annual sales of $2 million and was put up for sale by Dan, who found the perfect match in current Creative Carton owner, Mike Sime. The acquisition was completed on November 1, 1988; Dan stayed on board for over a year before calling it quits to enjoy retirement in Las Vegas.
Rapid Packaging and Creative Carton worked independently, with their own facilities, and offerings. Creative Carton concentrated on small-quantity, quick-delivery corrugated box manufacturing, Rapid Packaging broadened its lineup and added a sales force to support the growth objectives of both companies. Eventually, Mike Sime purchased all the partners’ shares, acquiring a 90% stake in Creative Carton while retaining 100% ownership of Rapid Packaging by 1997.
In 2008, Mike sold Creative Carton and focused exclusively on Rapid Packaging. Enter Phil Milne, who became co-owner of Rapid Packaging on June 30, 2010.