Family-Built. Since 1927.

Harold “HT” Illing founds the company in Milwaukee, WI as a manufacturer’s representative, establishing an early focus on distribution and value-added services.

First warehouse location added on Monarch Place, Milwaukee, as the business grows through the Depression era.

HT’s son, Bob Illing, joins the company and launches the ILLCO product line, expanding into filling paint thinners and solvents along with early decorating capabilities.

Bob Illing becomes second-generation president (1978–1994), building a culture centered on integrity, teamwork, and creativity while growing sales.

Mike Alber, Bob’s son-in-law, joins the company in sales and operations.

Company adds a second Milwaukee-area site (State Street) for screen printing and warehousing; shortly after, it adopts a “square” logo that remains in use for roughly the next 25 years.

Mike Alber becomes third-generation president (1994–2017), modernizing the corporate structure and relocating operations to Germantown, WI. In the same year, business partner Jim Stein takes on a president role over a separate expansion into Georgia and Missouri, focused on silkscreen printing.

Bryan Merlet joins, starting in the warehouse and print production side of the business.

Jay Alber, Mike and Sue’s son, joins the family business in sales and marketing.

A dedicated decoration facility is built to support the Southeast operations under Jim Stein.

Headquarters relocates to Germantown; Sue and Lori Illing (Bob’s daughters) join the company.

Additional Wisconsin facilities open on Fulton Drive, followed two years later by another on McCormick Drive.

Under Jay Alber’s growing sales leadership, the company adds high-speed pail labeling capabilities and branded labeling services.

A busy year: expansion into the Chicago area, a new pail logo and “packaging your vision” tagline, Carey Alber (Sue’s daughter) joins in purchasing and production, a joint-venture decoration facility opens in southeast Missouri with a Fortune 500 retail partner, and Bryan Merlet is promoted to VP of Sales.

Jay Alber becomes fourth-generation president, introducing a corporate rebrand, a new motto (“Family First. Have Fun. Create.”), and launching Envision, a full-service design, decorate, and deliver packaging platform, along with global sourcing and AI-driven “smart packaging” initiatives.

A new corporate headquarters is built in Richfield, WI, consolidating all Wisconsin operations.

The company launches its first e-commerce site and officially rebrands as ILLING Packaging.

Georgia and Missouri operations merge into a single new facility in Norcross, GA; the company marks its 95th anniversary.

A new location opens near Minneapolis, MN, the company earns a third Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Top Workplace award, and Carey Alber is promoted to Executive Vice President.

Expanded the decoration fleet with twin 7-color Servo screen-print machines and high-speed digital Saati prepress machines.

Introduced in-house digital 3D printing, revolutionizing tooling and product development. Deployed a comprehensive technology overhaul and a new digital marketing presence. Received a fifth consecutive Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Top Workplace designation.