Company history

When the company founders including James P. Kelly incorporated Emerald Packaging, Inc. in 1963 they manufactured their first bags in a Berkeley, Calif. warehouse outfitted with just one small printing press and two bag machines.

But things didn’t stay that way for long. By 1969, the company had purchased a six-color Faustel printing press. Soon, more bag lines followed, and Emerald Packaging quickly built a loyal customer base among vegetable and produce growers in the Salinas Valley, thanks partly to a reputation for service and integrity.

Company growth accelerated during the 1970s due mainly to a new production process developed in-house that helped keep lettuce fresh longer. Larger customers began working with the company, establishing partnerships that continue to this day.

By the early 1990’s, Emerald Packaging had outgrown its Berkeley location, despite several expansions over the years that had increased the warehouse size to 30,000 square feet. During the summer of 1993, the company relocated to a 50,000-square-foot facility in Union City, California. Since 2000 the company has added an additional 100,000 square feet to accommodate two wide web eight color printing presses. Emerald Packaging currently operates four presses, 28 bag lines, four slitters for roll stock, an Inno-Lok zipper line, laser microperforator and laminator.

Today, Emerald Packaging is one of the produce industry’s top packaging suppliers and generates $60 million in annual sales.