At Superior Packaging Company and International Dunnage, we continue to expand and will soon be vertically integrated! What does that mean exactly? Well, for our partners and customers, this is great news! For those considering working with us, now is the best time! This full integration reduces much of the supply chain and inventory situations that have arisen the past couple years. We will also have better control over pricing and ultimately better customer service, which is always a top priority. ​

Happy Labor Day 2022! Today is the day America pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers. It was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century and became a federal holiday in 1894. Labor Day weekend also symbolizes the end of summer for many Americans, and is celebrated with parties, street parades and athletic events.

​Labor Day is celebrated in cities and towns across the United States with parades, picnics, barbecues, fireworks displays and other public gatherings. For many Americans, particularly children and young adults, it represents the end of the summer and the start of the back-to-school season.

So why do we celebrate Labor Day? It actually originated during one of American labor history's darker time periods and was created to celebrate workers and their achievements. The manufacturing industry, which Superior Packaging Company has close ties, was integral in the creation of this National Holiday. 

In the late 1800s, at the height of the Industrial Revolution in the United States, the average American worked 12-hour days and seven-day weeks in order to eke out a basic living. Despite restrictions in some states, children as young as 5 or 6 toiled in mills, factories and mines across the country, earning a fraction of their adult counterparts’ wages. People of all ages, particularly the very poor and recent immigrants, often faced extremely unsafe working conditions, with insufficient access to fresh air, sanitary facilities and breaks.

As manufacturing increasingly supplanted agriculture as the wellspring of American employment, labor unions, which had first appeared in the late 18th century, grew more prominent and vocal. They began organizing strikes and rallies to protest poor conditions and compel employers to renegotiate hours and pay. Many of these events turned violent during this period, including the infamous Haymarket Riot of 1886, in which several Chicago policemen and workers were killed. Others gave rise to longstanding traditions: On September 5, 1882, 10,000 workers took unpaid time off to march from City Hall to Union Square in New York City, holding the first Labor Day parade in U.S. history.

The idea of a “workingmen’s holiday,” celebrated on the first Monday in September, caught on in other industrial centers across the country, and many states passed legislation recognizing it. Congress would not legalize the holiday until 12 years later, when a watershed moment in American labor history brought workers’ rights squarely into the public’s view. On May 11, 1894, employees of the Pullman Palace Car Company in Chicago went on strike to protest wage cuts and the firing of union representatives.

On June 26, the American Railroad Union, led by Eugene V. Debs, called for a boycott of all Pullman railway cars, crippling railroad traffic nationwide. To break the Pullman strike, the federal government dispatched troops to Chicago, unleashing a wave of riots that resulted in the deaths of more than a dozen workers.

In the wake of this massive unrest and in an attempt to repair ties with American workers, Congress passed an act making Labor Day a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the territories. On June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed it into law. More than a century later, the true founder of Labor Day has yet to be identified.


Many credit Peter J. McGuire, cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, while others have suggested that Matthew Maguire, a secretary of the Central Labor Union, first proposed the holiday.

​Credit: History Channel

As we quickly near September, not only are schools resuming, but the holiday peak shipping season looms near. At Superior Packaging Company we are always striving to be proactive in our materials and supplies, and encourage all our customers and partners to do the same. The holiday shipping season refers to the 4th Quarter (October - December). During this time period, supply chain management can easily get disrupted as many businesses are rushing to keep up with demand, manage their inventory, fulfill huge orders, and that doesn't even touch on other factors, such as freight costs, available modes of transport for goods. We all witnessed the images of hundreds of ships carrying tens of thousands of containers waiting at U.S. ports. So what can you do to help ease your 'pain' during this stressful time period? We have a few solutions below. 

At the end of the day, what our customers and partners are saying is truly one of the most important values we hold close. We follow the Golden Rule as it applies to business. Treat others as you would expect to be treated. This translates to several different aspects when it comes to creating a business in the load securement industry. Ranging from the actual products and components themselves to response to questions to transparency - all are important and we treat each with integrity and respect. 

One phrase we hear often is, 'Wow, you really reply to our phone calls and emails quicker than most!' Why is this important to us? Well, for one thing, time is money and we respect your time. If you have taken the time to request a quote, leave us a voicemail, or send us an email, we respond in a moment's notice. On the obvious side, we want to gain new partners and customers, and if we don't respond, chances are we might lose your business. 

Another comment shared to us by many customers is, 'We really feel like Tom appreciates us more than just a purchase order and a check to deposit. Tom takes the time to genuinely listen to our load securement needs and helps us create the best solution to prevent damage to our cargo during transport. He's even helped find a solution that didn't result in a purchase - now that is a true partnership, and when we need his products - he will be the first person we contact!' Although we strive to be your complete load securement solution, sometimes we can't do it all, and we recognize when we can't. Our years and years of experience has taught us that you need to be innovative to provide the best load securement. That experience has come in handy during the supply chain crisis when we have all had to think outside the box. 

Finally, the most common compliment we hear from multiple customers is regarding our innovative ideas. As just referenced, we have really had to become creative as many raw materials are in short supply and manufacturing of certain load securement items has been greatly impacted. 'We called Tom in a panic because our current dunnage bag supplier was unable to meet our needs. He quickly replied and was able to create an even better solution using the corrugated dunnage products produced in house along with dunnage air bags. As we have learned more about all the products Superior Packaging carries, we now go to Tom for everything related to transporting our goods.' Now this is one of our favorite things to hear from our customers and partners! We understand load securement, damage prevention, and transport of goods inside and out and because of our experience we have developed industry leading innovations to improve safety, efficiency, and cost effectiveness. 

We thank all of our customers and partners and value you and your business. If you aren't currently working with us and don't have the same types of comments many of our customers have shared with us, request a quote and give us a chance. We are genuine, experienced, and truly partner with all of our customers. 

Let's salute our great nation on its Independence Day! Officially the Fourth of July commemorates the passage of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. It is truly a blessing to be born in an independent nation. Let us thank every soul who has made it possible. May we enjoy freedom with responsibility! Warm wishes on 4th of July to you.

As we celebrate the 4th of July this year, many of us may take pause to think about what Freedom truly means to us. As Robert Frost quoted, "Freedom lies in being bold." At International Dunnage US and Superior Packaging, we work to exemplify this ideology every day. We strive to create bold, new innovations to help provide our customers with the best load securement systems available. We hope that you each have a safe and meaningful Independence Day this year and remember to be Bold in all you do. 

While your Memorial Day weekend might be packed with family fun and summer activities, we also believe it's important to pause the festivities in remembrance of the real meaning and history of Memorial Day. In honor of that sentiment, we've put together a few interesting facts regarding Memorial Day and how it came to be. 

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, began during the American Civil War when citizens placed flowers on the graves of those who had been killed in battle. After World War I, it came to be observed in honor of those who had died in all U.S. wars, and its name changed to Memorial Day.

While Memorial Day has spawned many different traditions within communities, it also spawned several traditions by how the government observes the day as well.
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Memorial Day has its own unique flag etiquette. At sunrise, anyone flying a flag should raise the flag briskly to full-staff then slowly lower the flag to half-staff, according to Gettysburg Flag. This is to honor the men and women who have fallen in the line of duty. At noon, the flag should be briskly raised to full-staff. This is to salute all of those who have served.

Another revered tradition of Memorial Day is the President of the United States placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. For decades, presidents visited the hallowed site as a way to pay tribute to all of those who died fighting for their country. In addition to laying a wreath, the president, or a dignitary in his place, will deliver an address for the nearby amphitheater. 


Another tradition is the national moment of silence. At 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day, Americans are asked to pause for one minute to pay tribute to America's fallen soldiers. This became official after the passage of the The National Moment of Remembrance Act in 2000.

Regardless of whatever your upcoming Memorial Day Weekend activities may be, please be safe and take a moment to reflect on the importance of this holiday.  

More details to come on these exciting new products and innovations. If you are interested in learning more, please contact us today!

Some voids needed corrugated dunnage that's true,
While others required dunnage air bags through and through.

So what he did in a hurry, or his name's not St. Nick
He called up Tom Franta mighty, mighty quick!

Honeycomb, strapping, dunnage bags, and more, 
Superior Packaging is definitely your store. 

From Tom he was able to get a custom solution
To ensure all voids were filled without any pollution.

Whether by truck or container or by rail
Tom has the expertise to prevail.

If complete load securement is what you are seeking
Have no fear and stop your shrieking

If you need to protect your cargo today
Please call International Dunnage SPC for the best way!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!

Veterans Day celebrates all United States military veterans, those currently serving, those that have served, and those that served and have died. We sincerely hope that Americans will be able to find peace and take the time to reflect on the sacrifices over the centuries that have made the United States the world leader that it is. Thank you from all of us at Superior Packaging and International Dunnage U.S. We salute all veterans and the impact they had and have on our lives today. ​

​One of the biggest hurdles many businesses seem to be facing right now are supply chain gaps. Whether you are a manufacturer, a retailer, a restaurant, or a cog in the wheel, you have been impacted by supply chain shortages. And just to add fuel to the fire,  retailers and manufacturers are overordering because of these supply chain issues, and that’s just leading to essentially an even worse scenario,” Jonathan Savoir, CEO of supply chain technology firm Quincus told CNBC’s “Squawk Box Asia” on Monday. Supply chains throughout the country and the world have been hit by massive disruptions and with many economies reopening, the end to this disruption is no where in sight. So what can you do to help manage increased freight costs? How do you plan to transport your cargo and products when it is available? We have some suggestions that will hopefully ease these two particular concerns. 

Freight costs have been continuing to increase across the board, but when working with us, we function as a single source provider for all your transport securement needs. We are able to provide 60% more dunnage bags per box, ship other necessary damage prevention products, including strapping, anti-slip mats, corrugated dunnage, and corner boards. The need to better protect your even more precious cargo during transport has exponentially increased as shortages are becoming increasingly evident across so many industries. Companies simply cannot afford the risk of damaging existing supply. This is our forte! 

It is our goal when working with our partners and customers to create an effective plan to help ensure and alleviate their load securement needs and prevent further supply chain disruptions. We do this by carefully evaluating all their load securement needs, recommending proper solutions to safely transport their products and developing an auto-ordering program that helps to eliminate delays. 
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As your single source, total load securement provider, we value your time and would love to help you, our partners and customers streamline their securement processes. We welcome any and all inquiries!
​Interested in learning more about our strapping products? Request a quote and we'd be happy to help you safely and affordably secure and protect your cargo today!