Industrial Packing, Inc. History

INDUSTRIAL PACKING, INC., (originally INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERS SUPPLY COMPANY) was founded in Boston in 1949 by William F. Swan.

A hands-on owner, Mr Swan traveled New England for 27 years calling on pulp and paper mills, textile plants, saw mills, utilities and tanneries. Charlie Swan joined the company in 1963, assuming the role of president after his father's death in 1965.

In 1971, the company was relocated to Bucksport, Maine to place it in the same state with our major customer base - the Pulp and Paper Industry.

In 1974 the company opened a branch office/warehouse in Longview, Washington to better serve our West Coast customers. A few years later in 1977, the name of the company was changed to INDUSTRIAL PACKING, INC. The new name better reflected the company's specialization for sealing products and promoted the INDUSTRIAL Brand™ label, which was registered in 1987.

1979 marked the year that George Champlin and Charlie Swan formed a new company in Manchester, New Hampshire called NEW ENGLAND BRAIDING CO., INC. (NEBCO). The only one of its kind in Northern New England, NEBCO‘s modern manufacturing plant braids packing used to seal valves, pumps, turbines and other types of industrial process equipment.

In 1980, INDUSTRIAL PACKING, INC., started “Die-Molding” Packing Sets. This modern method of dispensing packing is more efficient than “Cutting from Bulk.” These precision rings reduce waste, are easier to install, seat better and contribute to plant “uptime.”

In 1994, INDUSTRIAL PACKING, INC. added a gasket cutting shop at our Bucksport headquarters. As a major supplier of gaskets, this shop has enabled us to better serve our customers by delivering precision-cut, custom gaskets for limitless applications.

The company has acquired seven patents since 1982. Six of the patents are for improvements in Braided Packing Technology. Over the years, the superior performance of our products and our ongoing commitment to further improvements have increased our sales in the United States as well as exports to Canada and Europe.

Now, as in the past, your patronage is greatly appreciated. We will continue to strive to supply you with the goods you need when you need them, and do so competitively.