Welch Packaging Partners with ABCOR Packaging

ELKHART, Indiana, November 11, 2025—Welch Packaging Group, Inc., a family-owned and operated manufacturer of custom corrugated products, today announced its merger with ABCOR Packaging of Cleveland, Tennessee.

Founded in 2007 by Ricky Sanders and Tom Cassada, ABCOR Packaging has built a strong reputation for providing high-quality corrugated products to the tri-state market in southeast Tennessee, northern Georgia and western North Carolina with personal service and a deep commitment to the community. Principal owners Ricky Sanders and Tom Cassada describe ABCOR as “a local company with a local feel.”

“We are thrilled for ABCOR to join Welch Packaging and our sister plants in West, Middle, and Eastern Tennessee,” said Scott Welch, President and CEO of Welch Packaging. “This is a strategic region for us, and we look forward to serving customers with greater capabilities while providing ABCOR associates with more opportunities, as we leverage their talent and experience.”

Welch added, “Consistent with our desire to strategically expand our geographic footprint, our alliance with ABCOR Packaging is an example of partnering with outstanding independent packaging companies, led by strong leaders, so these businesses can continue to grow and flourish. As we welcome Ricky, Tom and their team into our family of companies, we congratulate them on their success and look forward to preserving their legacy of service and community engagement.”

Welch continued, “Our goal has always been to welcome independent, family-owned businesses into our network of companies in a way that continues to add resources and energy to their operation. These businesses have deep connections with their people, their customers, and their communities—and those relationships mean a lot to us. We work hard to make sure they stay strong.”

ABCOR partners Sanders and Cassada commented, “As we evaluated strategic alternatives, it became obvious that ABCOR’s fundamental values aligned with Welch’s, including a shared focus on building strong relationships with customers, vendors, and associates, not to mention their amazing product and design capabilities.”

 For ABCOR customers and associates, the merger underscores Welch’s commitment to serving the region with expanded capabilities and an exceptional associate experience. “This is a very exciting time for ABCOR, our customers, and our associates,” added Sanders. “This transaction enables us to integrate with Welch’s sheet plant network and introduce a host of new product offerings including graphic packaging, digital printing and bulk laminating. In addition, our alliance with Welch will allow us to offer multi-color large-format printing, die-cutting and specialty gluing operations.  We are delighted to join Welch Packaging and look forward to expanding our services with enhanced products and technology while providing even greater opportunities and purpose for our team.”

Specific terms of this agreement were not disclosed. 

About ABCOR Packaging

Founded in 2007 by Ricky Sanders and Tom Cassada, ABCOR Packaging is proud to be a family owned and operated business. With over twenty five years of industrial experience in our local community, our mission is to be the go-to supplier for all of the tri-state region’s corrugated cardboard, box and packaging needs. Located in Cleveland, TN, our one and only focus is to provide our customers with packaging solutions that work.

About Welch Packaging

Celebrating forty years in business, Welch Packaging is a family-owned and led company.  The Company is a network of custom corrugated box manufacturers specializing in package design, business solutions and personalized service for local customers.  The business units are supported by the Welch sheet feeder system.  Welch associates are passionate about delivering the Ultimate Corrugated Experience to customers and engaging with the company cause – To Make a Difference!  With a purpose-driven family culture focused on growth, Welch has a history of integrating new business partners while preserving their legacy.  www.welchpkg.com