Millcraft Announces Acquisition of Protective Packaging Products (P3)

– Millcraft, an independent, fourth-generation, family-owned merchant serving the paper, packaging and graphic arts industries, today announced the acquisition of Protective Packaging Products (P3), a Louisville, Kentucky-based value-added custom corrugated and protective packaging distributor primarily serving the automotive and broader industrial markets.

Founded in 2001, P3 has built a strong reputation for delivering customized packaging solutions backed by responsive customer service, proprietary inventory management capabilities, value-added assembly and rapid delivery. The acquisition represents another strategic step in Millcraft’s continued investment in its growing packaging business and expands the company’s ability to provide specialized, value-added solutions to customers.

“P3 is a natural fit for Millcraft and where we see our packaging business going,” said Travis Mlakar, CEO of Millcraft. “They have built their business around exceptional service, reliability and finding ways to make their customers’ operations easier. Those values align extremely well with how we approach our own customer relationships. By welcoming P3 to the Millcraft family of companies, we have an opportunity to build on what their team has created while bringing additional resources and capabilities to support future growth.”

“Since founding P3, our focus has always been on helping customers solve challenges through responsive service, quality solutions and a commitment to doing what we say we will do,” said Robert Head, co-owner of P3. “As we looked toward the future, it was important to find a partner that shares those values and would continue building on the culture and customer relationships that have made P3 successful. We believe Millcraft is that partner, and we're excited about the opportunities this creates for our employees, customers and suppliers.”

“Millcraft’s family-owned culture, customer-first mindset and long-term approach to business made this a natural fit for P3,” said Anne Sizemore, co-owner of P3. “This partnership strengthens our ability to serve customers while preserving the qualities that have defined P3 for more than two decades. By combining our expertise in protective packaging with Millcraft’s resources and market reach, we see tremendous potential for growth and continued innovation.”

P3 offers a broad range of protective packaging products and services, including custom corrugated packaging, returnables, polybags, polyfoam and bubble bags, along with specialized assembly solutions.

A key differentiator is P3’s value-added assembly operation, which completes approximately 3,000 to 5,000 assembled parts each week, allowing customers to receive packaging components ready for use. The company also maintains customer inventory using proprietary, transparent inventory management software to facilitate rapid, just-in-time and same day delivery.

These capabilities, combined with a highly responsive service model, have helped P3 establish long-standing customer relationships and maintain a customer retention rate of more than 95%.

Following the acquisition, P3 will continue to operate as its own entity from its existing facility, maintaining the specialized processes, service model, and customer relationships that have contributed to its success. Preserving P3’s ISO 9001 certification, a globally recognized quality management standard widely utilized throughout the automotive supply chain, and its commitment to quality, reliability, and continuous improvement will remain a priority.

“P3 has developed an operating model that works exceptionally well for its customers, and we want to build on that success,” said Mlakar. “Our goal isn’t to change what makes P3 successful. It’s to give the team additional resources and opportunities to grow. With Millcraft’s broader product portfolio, supplier relationships, sales organization and distribution network, we see tremendous potential to expand the value we can provide to both P3 and Millcraft customers.”

The acquisition also creates opportunities to introduce P3’s specialized protective packaging model to additional customers and markets. By combining P3’s expertise in custom protective packaging, assembly, inventory management and just-in-time delivery with Millcraft’s broader capabilities and resources, the companies see opportunities to expand their reach across key automotive and industrial markets while providing customers with a more comprehensive range of solutions.

P3’s ISO 9001-certified processes further demonstrate the company’s commitment to standardized operations, continuous improvement, and dependable quality. The certification reflects a disciplined quality management system designed to ensure consistency, efficiency, and customer satisfaction while meeting the rigorous standards often required within automotive and industrial manufacturing environments. Combined with its ability to maintain customer inventory and respond quickly to changing needs, P3 has developed a differentiated service model designed to help customers improve efficiency, reduce complexity, and keep their operations moving.

For Millcraft, the acquisition supports a broader strategy of expanding its packaging business through differentiated products, services and expertise while remaining focused on the customer relationships that have driven the company for more than a century.

# # #

About Protective Packaging Products (P3)

Founded in 2001, Protective Packaging Products (P3) is a value-added custom corrugated and protective packaging distributor primarily serving customers in the automotive and broader industrial markets. P3 provides custom corrugated packaging, returnables, polybags, polyfoam and bubble bags, along with value-added assembly, inventory management and just-in-time delivery services. Through its proprietary inventory management capabilities, ISO 9001-certified quality management system, and customer-focused service model, P3 has built a reputation for providing reliable, responsive packaging solutions tailored to its customers’ operational needs. The certification underscores P3’s commitment to quality, continuous improvement, and the stringent requirements of automotive and industrial customers.

About Millcraft

Founded in 1920 and headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Millcraft celebrates over 100 years in business as an independent, fourth-generation, family-owned merchant serving the professional paper, packaging and graphic arts industries. Millcraft proudly serves a national customer base with a diversified product offering of printing and office papers and envelopes; industrial, retail and luxury packaging; sign and banner equipment and materials; food and beverage industry supplies and services; facility supplies; office, mailing and shipping supplies; plus so much more.

The Millcraft service platform has several sales and retail distribution locations in 17 cities. These markets include Akron; Ann Arbor; Cincinnati; Cleveland; Columbus; Dayton; Detroit; Green Bay; Indianapolis; Lansing; Lexington; Louisville; Nashville; Southfield, Michigan; Springfield, Illinois; Sterling Heights, Michigan; and Toledo.

Long committed to a guiding principle of product sustainability, Millcraft paper and product lines are environmentally certified through the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). Millcraft’s consistent success derives from an unwavering commitment to the guiding principles of its founders to “positively and meaningfully impact the people we work with every day – our co-workers, customers, supply partners, families, communities, and friends.”

To learn more, please visit www.millcraft.com.