Some partnerships support a business. Others help build it from the ground up.
PSI’s partnership with PhilCorr has been part of our story since the beginning and a key driver of our success over the past 50 years.
In 1995, PSI joined a group of independent box manufacturers in the greater Philadelphia region with a shared goal: to gain more control over corrugated sheet supply. Rather than relying on large integrated suppliers, these companies came together to create PhilCorr — a customer-owned corrugated sheet feeder built on shared ownership, aligned priorities, and long-term investment.
From the start, this model provided something essential: consistency, reliability, and control. It allowed PSI to better serve customers while operating with greater confidence and flexibility.
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Current ownership group of PhilCorr
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Before PhilCorr, operations looked very different. Minimum order requirements, long lead times, and excess inventory often left weeks of material sitting on the floor, limiting space and flexibility. With a more reliable supply in place, PSI was able to bring in material as needed, increase production speed, and turn orders around more efficiently. These improvements streamlined operations and created the capacity to expand.
Today, PhilCorr supplies PSI with over half a billion square feet of corrugated sheets annually, delivering the scale and consistency required to support ongoing demand. Even as supply chain challenges have impacted much of the industry, PSI has maintained a steady flow of material, ensuring customers continue to receive products without disruption. This level of stability has become a clear differentiator.
That same reliability has created the space and confidence for both companies to invest in the future.
PhilCorr has strengthened its operations through more than $20 million in equipment and facility upgrades, along with a $6 million investment in solar power — leading the way in sustainability within the industry.
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At the same time, PSI has invested over $26 million back into the business — expanding technology and equipment, enhancing capabilities, and launching a new design center to better support customers.
Together, these investments have strengthened both organizations, allowing them to evolve and succeed side by side.
Another defining piece of this partnership has been the alignment between Vernon Litzinger and Ken Mello, President of PhilCorr. In 2010, when Vernon stepped in as Chairman of the Board, he and Ken began working closely together to help guide PhilCorr — with a shared focus on building long-term value for all partners and strengthening the business as a whole.
As leadership evolved and Chris Litzinger stepped into a greater role, that alignment continued.
Ken remains closely connected with PSI, working directly with leadership and participating in sales and management discussions.
His impact goes well beyond day-to-day operations. As Chris noted,
“Ken’s expertise in the market, from new paper innovations to sustainability initiatives, helps PSI stay ahead and deliver the best solutions to our customers.”
This level of alignment and communication ensures both organizations remain informed, responsive, and positioned for continued growth.
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Nearly 30 years later, the PSI–PhilCorr partnership continues to do exactly what it was built to do: support growth. Stronger operations, better alignment, and a shared commitment to the future make this more than a partnership — it’s a foundation that keeps PSI moving forward.
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