Unisource Establishes Technology Packaging Group

NORCROSS, Ga.—Unisource Worldwide, Inc., a leading distributor of paper, packaging, and facility supplies in North America, is expanding its packaging business to provide global supply chain support for manufacturers of high-technology products.

The company’s new Technology Packaging Group will design innovative precision packaging technologies that meet factory requirements while, at the same time, optimizing supply chain costs, according to Troy Swope, director of the new group. The group’s initial focus will be to market its services to technical assembly and semiconductor manufacturing operations, and to the medical instrumentation, pharmaceutical and aerospace industries.

“The advantage we offer customers is that we have the knowledge and experience to address every facet of technology packaging design and sourcing, with the added benefit of ensuring environmental sustainability,” Swope said. “Our services will include design, testing, qualification, transportation monitoring and quality management,” he added.

The Technology Packaging Group, part of Unisource’s Packaging strategic business unit, is staffed by former Silicon Valley engineers who specialized in packaging design for wafer fabrication, component assembly and global logistics optimization. The group will operate a state-of-the-art Design and Testing Lab based in Phoenix, Ariz.

“This new enterprise underscores Unisource’s expanding commitment to assist customers in design for supply chain optimization and transport logistics,” said Gary Miller, vice president of the new group. “The advanced engineering competence of our team, combined with their understanding of global sourcing and logistics, offers customers a single point of contact for their global packaging needs.”

Unisource’s new Technology Packaging Group will also benefit from sourcing relationships the team has established throughout Asia. “The group’s on-the-ground resources in Asia mean that customers can take immediate advantage of sourcing relationships established by more than a decade of experience in Silicon Valley,” said Swope. “This includes the sourcing and quality management of packaging applications, from precision plastics packaging to corrugated containers, and final preparation of packaging for transportation.”

The nucleus of Unisource’s Technology Packaging Group was previously responsible for the innovation of multiple packaging technologies that saved $300 million in freight and material costs, according to Miller. The team was also recognized by the Global Plastics Environmental Council for developing an emerging technology in wafer transport design in 2004.