Realising cardboard boxes would become a necessity for the rapidly increasing array of products being manufactured in Melbourne in the 1920’s, Mr P.T. Huggins established a box manufacturing plant in South Yarra.
P.T. Huggins Box Manufacturing survived the Great Depression of the '30's, the labour shortages at home during WWII and thrived into the 50’s to become the renamed company, ColorPak Containers Pty Ltd.
By 1985, and still a family concern, Colorpak had developed into a well known packaging and printing business when it was purchased by Walter Commins, Charlie Cock, Brian Hoad and Joe Visalli. This team had spent over 20 years working together at Thomas Frame (a former major player in the printing industry). They took Colorpak to a new level of market penetration and professionalism during 1985 – 1991.
In January 1992, the Commins family purchased Colorpak from Walter Commins’ partners. Walter Commins continued as Managing Director and began a policy of regular investment in state of the art machine technology that continues today.
In 1996 Colorpak moved to an impressive new 7,100 sq metre plant in Braeside with a further 10,000 sq metres of adjacent land available for future expansion. Walter Commins retired in 2000 and his sons, Harry, Paul and Alex took over as the senior management team.
A policy of acquisition and expansion has seen Colorpak grow significantly in recent years with the purchase of Foilmasters and Pemara Packaging in Melbourne and Hale Foldpack (now Colorpak) in Sydney. These manufacturing divisions service clients throughout the whole of Australia.
In April 2004 Colorpak floated on the ASX (Australian Stock Exchange) and trades as a public listed entity. Post its successful float Colorpak acquired the business of Castle Graphics in NSW during December 2004. Castle graphics ( rebadged as Colorpak ) produce printed blister and lidding foils, self adhesive labels, sachets, and flexible packaging for the pharmaceutical, healthcare and food industries. In June 2006 Colorpak cartons relocated from their former factory in Erskineville - NSW to purpose built Greenfield facilities in Regents Park - NSW. In September 2006 the business formerly known as Castle graphics was also relocated from its site at Seven Hills - NSW to clean room environment also within the Greenfield Regents Park - NSW site.
