Colbert Packaging, the leading Midwest independently-owned paperboard packaging manufacturer has announced its certification as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the nation’s leading third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women.

The WBENC Certification process has confirmed that Colbert Packaging is majority owned, operated, and controlled by a woman or women, and has the appropriate structure and strategic business planning and implementation in place. This certification reinforces the company’s position as an independent, woman-owned, small business as it has been for more than 20 of its 66 years in existence.

Since 1995, Colbert Packaging has been under the leadership of CEO Nancy Colbert MacDougall. For the last 20-plus years, she has overseen the company’s growth and its evolution through extensive R&D capabilities and its diverse product offerings that include custom folding cartons, pressure-sensitive labels and package inserts. Employing approximately 300 people, Colbert owns and operates two manufacturing facilities in the Midwest, including Kenosha, WI HQ, Elkhart, IN, and a distribution warehouse in South Bend, IN. Continual investment in state-of-the-art printing and finishing equipment and technology provides customers with exceptional service and creates opportunities for employee career growth.

The Company was founded by Nancy’s father, the late Charles Colbert. Charles’ father, Charles Caldwell Colbert, founded American Coating Mills in 1921 and established it as one of the largest producers of folding cartons and carton board (sold in 1947). In 1959, son Charles purchased the property and assets of Kroeck Paper Box, which was founded in 1892, and started Colbert Packaging. Since its inception, Colbert Packaging has grown organically and through acquisition.

“We at Colbert Packaging are excited about this certification and the meaningful impact it will have on the future of our business, and for our employees, our customers, and our suppliers,” states Nancy. “We remain committed to the ongoing development of our sustainability and corporate social responsibility initiatives.”

In 2025, Colbert Packaging earned an EcoVadis bronze rating, putting the company in the top 35th percentile amongst more than 130,000 rated companies. Colbert also recently announced its purchase and installation of a new 10-color RMGT printing press – the longest printing press sold by RM Machinery in North America. This exemplifies Colbert’s continual focus on the future, and commitment to bringing its customers innovative products in safe, smart and sustainable paper-based secondary packaging.

Founded in 1959, Colbert Packaging has grown its repertoire of paperboard packaging solutions into one of the most comprehensive, diverse and inventive portfolios in the industry, serving pharmaceutical, healthcare and consumer goods customers. Colbert’s Kenosha, Wisconsin, facility produces offset and flexographic printed folding cartons, pressure-sensitive roll labels and package inserts; the Elkhart, Indiana operation includes folding carton production and formed paper trays. Learn more at www.colbertpkg.com.