Uline, Inc. is a family-owned distributor of shipping, industrial, and packaging materials, serving businesses across North America. Founded in 1980 - originally as a basement startup - the company has grown to over 9,800 employees operating across 14 distribution locations. It positions itself as North America's leading distributor in its category.
The company's core offering is its product catalog of over 43,000 items, spanning packaging supplies, industrial materials, and shipping equipment. Fulfillment is central to its operational model: 99.5% of orders ship the same day they are placed, supported by a network of strategically located distribution centers designed to minimize delivery times and reduce shipping costs. The catalog itself runs to more than 900 pages and is available in print and online.
Customer operations run continuously - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year - with dedicated representatives available at all times. The company backs purchases with a 30-day no-hassle return policy. Uline serves a strictly business-to-business market and operates with no backorder model, meaning listed products are available for immediate dispatch.
As a privately held, family-owned business, Uline has grown without external investment. The company states it invests in employee development and first-class facilities, and frames itself as a long-term operational partner for the businesses it supplies rather than a transactional vendor.
