Craig Patterson and Ben Hertzman, President of Progress Luv2Pak and Gather Packaging, discuss the remarkable evolution of the Canadian packaging company since its founding in 1917. Hertzman shares how Luv2Pak began as a hat box factory supplying icons like Holt Renfrew and Hudson’s Bay, before his family acquired it in 1981 and expanded into gift boxes, bags, ribbons, and coordinated packaging programs for North America’s top retailers. By shifting from solely domestic manufacturing to global sourcing, the company adapted to retailers’ changing needs, establishing itself as a leader in premium retail packaging.
The conversation explores how pandemic-driven supply chain disruptions and skyrocketing freight costs inspired Luv2Pak’s bold decision to reinvest in local production. Hertzman details the launch of Gather Packaging’s state-of-the-art paper bag factory in Toronto, built to ensure exceptional quality and a reliable North American supply. The new facility reflects a commitment to making goods closer to where they’re consumed, while using sustainable materials and processes that meet the needs of modern retailers and eco-conscious consumers.
Patterson and Hertzman also examine how packaging serves as a vital extension of brand experience, both in-store and in e-commerce, acting as a “walking billboard” that reinforces identity and customer loyalty. Highlighting Luv2Pak’s longstanding partnership with Harry Rosen as an example of coordinated, high-quality packaging, Ben shares insights on balancing a 100-year legacy with constant innovation, and offers advice for retailers to stay nimble and invest in packaging that reflects their brand values in an ever-changing market.
Featured during this interview:
- Ben Hertzman, President of Luv2Pak and Gather Packaging
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Background Music Credit: Hard Boiled Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
