About

Hub's Original South Boston Facility. 

 

Hub Folding Box Company, Inc. of Mansfield, MA, is a premier printing and folding carton company producing innovative packaging for leading consumer product companies. The company’s reputation as an innovative leader dates back to its founding by Francesco DiRico in 1918.

Francesco DiRico founded Hub Folding Box Company, Inc. in 1918 in Boston, the “hub” of New England. Mr. DiRico emigrated from Italy to New Haven, Connecticut, at age 14. While shining shoes outside a barbershop in New Haven, Connecticut, he met an executive from National Folding Box, the first folding carton company in the United States. The executive liked Mr. DiRico and his work ethic, and offered him the opportunity to work at National Folding Box. Mr. DiRico worked his way up the ladder, becoming a die maker and packaging designer by age 25. After several years at National Folding Box, he left the company and returned to Italy to visit his family. He married while in Italy, and then returned to the Boston area where he worked for Stone & Forsythe Packaging Company in Stoneham, Massachusetts. Although he quickly rose to the position of plant manager, his entrepreneurial spirit and determination drove him to leave Stone & Forsythe to start his own company. Along with a partner, Mr. Angelo Libertine, he opened Hub Folding Box in South Boston in 1918.

Hub’s original customers were dry cleaning companies and tailor shops scattered throughout eastern Massachusetts. The business developed nicely as their customer base expanded in the 1920s to include bakeries. Francesco’s first great innovation was triggered by DuPont’s development of cellophane in the early 1930s. Hub became the first folding carton manufacturer to develop and utilize cellophane windows in tomato boxes, which permanently transformed the food and bakery industry. Consumer packaging was changed forever with this creation, since consumers were now able to view the products they were purchasing. Hub also designed the first waxed paperboard carton for institutional frozen fish, eliminating the heavy wooden crates that had been used historically. Hub’s innovations led the company to develop the “Creativity Through Packaging” philosophy that continues to drive the company at present.

Today, Hub is widely recognized for its creativity and innovation in the packaging industry, specializing in printing and converting high-end paperboard and plastic folding cartons, in addition to specialty laminations of “B”, “F”, “E”, “N” flute single-face corrugated. The company is fully integrated with high quality service departments, with an experienced staff of in-house Graphic and Structural design, Digital Imaging (C-T-P), Mechanical Packaging and Engineering involved with prototyping and custom tool making. Moreover, Hub provides contract packaging and fulfillment services, further developing our capabilities through our Plastic Technology & Thermoformed Parts division. 

Mission

Hub Folding Box Company, Inc. is committed to being an innovative leader and custom manufacturer of quality packaging solutions, which commits all resources to servicing and responding to our customers' requirements.

We are committed to improving our quality process through the training of our employees, investment in new technologies and by creating an environment that encourages company-wide participation. 

We are committed to managing an accident-free operation that is compliant with Federal and State Environmental and OSHA statutes.

We are passionate about Lean Manufacturing Principles.

Philosophy

Strategic Focus

Hub Folding Box Company has an obsession with Safety and Lean Manufacturing principles. We strive to consistently meet the needs of our customers with an unparalleled level of service, and we empower our employees and reward outstanding performance. We leverage our technologies and innovation to maintain a competitive advantage, targeting growth in graphic-intensive and value-added packaging within specialty printing markets.

Commitment to Quality

It is the policy of the Hub Folding Box Company to supply products that conform to all established industry requirements. We make every effort to exceed our customers' expectations with regard to quality, value and service. We are further committed to company-wide programs for safety and continuous quality improvement. We have adopted quality programs such as SQF’s, cGMP and Lean Manufacturing. Hub’s standard operating procedures direct us to follow our Quality Assurance Process through all phases of manufacturing. In special cases, we have the unique ability to customize our quality process to incorporate the special needs and requests of our customers.

Lean Thinking

Hub Folding Box Company is committed to Lean Manufacturing principles; this systematic approach identifies and eliminates waste by utilizing a series of disciplines that helps our team continuously improve productivity, throughput and efficiencies.

Capital Improvements

Hub Folding Box Company has made a significant commitment to our industry in the last twenty-five years through capital investment. From 2006–2012, Hub Folding Box invested $42 million dollars in new capital improvements. In 2014, Hub invested an additional $10 million dollars in state-of-the-art technologies.

Hub Folding Box, approaching 100 years of packaging expertise, recently moved into its third generation. Four members of the DiRico family are in various leadership roles, including management, engineering, manufacturing and sales. We continue to build on our foundation: the principles of innovation, the importance of reinvesting in our business, and servicing the needs of our customers. "Creativity Through Packaging" is in our DNA!

Hub's Third Generation of DiRico Leadership

Hub employs some of the most talented people in the packaging industry. When we combine our innovation with the passion of our employees, the result is award-winning solutions for our customers. Hub has been acknowledged by some of the world's leading consumer product companies for our unique structures, graphic designs and decorative printing techniques. Hub is recognized for our world-class manufacturing capabilities, our unrelenting quality standards and our industry-leading reputation for on-time deliveries.

Hub is widely recognized for creativity as an innovative leader in the packaging industry. Hub was the first company to develop the concept of utilizing a cellophane window in the packaging of tomatoes in the early 1900s. Consumer packaging was changed forever with this innovation, since consumers could then see the actual product they were purchasing. As well, the product could then be taken directly from field to retail. Another of Hub's leading inventions was the development of a six-pack bottle carrier for Orange Crush, which Hub patented in 1941. Hub was also instrumental in developing the first egg carton with an inner paperboard partition for protection. Hub’s focus on innovation has led the company to develop our “Creativity Through Packaging” philosophy, which continues to permeate the company today. Visit our INNOVATION page to learn more.

Since Hub's founding in 1918, the DiRico family has understood the importance of capital investment. We believe that in order to be a market leader, we must provide cost effective, leading edge solutions for our customers. These solutions require, in addition to creative talent, a commitment to investing in the latest technologies. From our humble beginnings in South Boston, to our nearly 300,000 sq. ft., 10-acre facility in Mansfield, MA, Hub's third generation of family leadership continues to take a proactive approach to reinvesting in packaging innovations. Consequently, the marketplace has recognized Hub as a leader in the printed folding carton industry.

Pictured above is our Mansfield, MA facility, where Hub moved its operations in 1982. This state of the art manufacturing plant employs the latest in print technologies and folding carton equipment. 

Hub prides itself on being an industry leader, delivering world-class quality, service and reliability. Hub has been fortunate to develop many long-standing relationships as a result of our consistent performance, which dates back multiple generations.

Hub’s Project Management Team has over 100 years of combined experience. Our passion for packaging, attention to detail, and exceptional organizational and communication skills enable us to tackle a diverse portfolio of projects. Our goal at Hub Folding Box is to make it easy for you, our customer, to do business with us. We look forward to working with you on your next packaging project!

We value the relationship we have with each and every client, and nothing means more to us than hearing from our past and present customers. Please take a moment to read these two recent testimonials:

May 5, 2015

Dear Hub Client:

I am the global purchasing director for MGI. Hub Folding Box has been a supplier of mine for more than two decades. Before joining MGI, I was employed by Diageo, North America where I held several roles in operations including sourcing value added programs (VAP) for its strategic brand portfolio.

I was responsible for sourcing, contracting, negotiating and owning the supplier relationship at a strategic level. A comprehensive sourcing initiative was conducted where I looked at many global suppliers who were capable of supplying materials for the VAP programs.

Hub Folding Box won the award because they were best-in-class. Key criteria I looked at:

• supplier with in-house design capability, who is innovative, and can reproduce what is designed
• turn-key solution who could supply cost effective packaging & premiums
• possess excellent engineering capabilities when designing and building finished VAP
• complete an integrated program that was functional and value driven to the customer
• shorten lead-times and respond quickly when programs are in an “over sell” situation

Hub Folding Box has a flat organizational structure which allows for quick decision making and recovery when market forecasts are altered. They are able to drive many efficiencies straight to the bottom line. Their factory is highly automated and all manufacturing processes are done under one roof. Their efficient factory and the ability to produce on all substrates in-house allows for easy program management.

Hub clearly understands the importance of driving down costs. On their own, without me asking, Hub designed customized packing equipment that was deployed to the co packer and drove out hundreds of thousands of dollars in labor related costs. A huge win!

I sourced hundreds of projects from Hub. All of the programs over the course of time went smoothly. No rejects, no late deliveries, no surprises. I have used Hub on several projects at MGI. All went off without a hitch.

They have helped me with excellent packaging & premium solutions more times than I can count. This is why I am happy to write this letter of recommendation. Please do not hesitate to call if you would like to discuss in greater detail.

Sincerely,

We are proud supporters of the organizations listed below:     

• The Friendship Home, Norwell                
• Thayer Academy
• Derby Academy
• Inly School
• Cardinal Cushing Center
• Big Brother/Big Sister of Boston
• The North and South Rivers Watershed Association, Inc
• Massachusetts General Hospital
• Colby College
• Boston College
• South Shore Hospital
• Roger Williams Law School
• Germantown Food Pantry, Quincy, Mass
• Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield
• Marshfield High School Boosters Club
• Billy Burchard Foundation for Cancer Research
• The One Fund Boston
• United in their Honor (Non-profit organization for Wounded Warriors)
• Boys and Girls club of Boston
• Friends of The MGH Cancer Center Fund
• The Boston Brain Tumor Ride
• Cape Cod Health Care
• Achilles International
• Special Olympics 2015
• Ethiopia’s Daughters
• South Shore Arts Outreach Program Denim to Diamonds Auction
• Passion for Fashion Supporting Breast Cancer
• Walk for Juvenile Diabetes
• NJ Children’s Specialized Hospital Foundation
• St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital
• Toys for Tots
• Marshfield Youth Baseball League
• Milton Wildcats Football League
• Dress for Success
• The Women’s Center
• Hand in Hand in Haiti
• SPAM-State Police Association of Massachusetts
• Mansfield Police Department
• Volunteer Firefighters
• Mansfield Downtown Business Association
• Rotary Club of Mansfield
• Bay State Veterans
• Corey Shea Flagpole in Mansfield( a dedication to a local fallen soldier)
• Wareham Free Library
• Worchester Historical Museum
• Italian Home for the Children
• Pan Mass Challenge
• Boston Marathon
• Leukemia and Lymphoma Society
• Institute of Packaging Professional
• International Association of Diecutting and Diemaking
• Certified Packaging Professionals
• Foil Stamping and Embossing Association
• National Association of Professional Women
• Women’s Association of the Allied Beverage Industries
• Distilled Spirit Foundation

When art and science work in unison and with purpose, beautiful and functional creations are conceived and built. Add to that painstaking planning, precision and execution, and you’ve got DiRico Built, which is a convergence of ideology and methodology that leaves nothing to chance.

It is with this mutual, uncompromising vision and determination that platinum recording artist, Steven Tyler, and world-renowned inventor and Hub's master engineer, Mark DiRico, have united their respective disciplines to create a line of motorcycles engineered to ride and built to last.

For more information about this exciting company, please visit www.diricomotorcycles.com.

Hub recognizes that when we collaborate with other organizations, we empower ourselves to stay abreast of the latest trends in manufacturing. Members of Hub’s business team participate on various committees that deal with family business, packaging issues, sustainability and manufacturing. Hub has partnered with the following affiliations:

PPC (Paperboard Packaging Council)

IOPP (Institute of Packaging Professionals)

IADD (International Association of Diecutting and Diemaking)

CPP (Certified Packaging Professionals)

FSEA (Foil Stamping and Embossing Association)

NAPW (National Association of Professional Women)

WAABI (Women’s Association of the Allied Beverage Industries, Inc.)

Distilled Spirit Foundation