Military products must meet stringent quality and reliability standards, which also apply to their packaging. Consequently, any company in this sector must partner with the best mil-spec packaging suppliers to ensure everything remains compliant.
1. Edco Supply Corporation
Edco Supply Corporation — out of Brooklyn, New York — is the best all-around mil-spec packaging supplier. Edco manufactures a wide range of packaging types to fit various military standards, so you can likely find a solution that works regardless of your product type or size. It’s also been in business for over 60 years, giving it extensive experience serving diverse needs.
In addition to packaging and materials, Edco sells mil-spec tapes and adhesives to keep product containers sealed. The company accepts custom orders, too, further expanding the variety of end uses it can support. An in-depth blog explaining key mil-spec concepts and available customer support team provide additional help for those new to the industry.
2. Quality Support, LLC
Consider Quality Support, LLC, for your mil-spec packaging supplier if you need wooden crates. This provider specializes in custom lumber products, which are ideal for shipping large equipment or particularly heavy or sensitive items. As a bespoke manufacturer, Quality Support also offers design services to help you create the best package possible.
While it has an inventory of ready-made packaging for smaller runs or non-niche needs, Quality Support’s best asset is its custom work. Its personalized solutions span all manners of boxes, bags and insulation. Beyond adhering to military specifications, Quality Support is NIST SP 800-171 compliant, which some Department of Defense contractors need from their suppliers due to new cybersecurity regulations.
3. IMPAK Corporation
Los Angeles-based IMPAK Corporation is another of the best mil-spec packaging suppliers in the U.S. While Quality Support focuses on rigid crates, IMPAK’s specialty is flexible packaging, making it a good fit for smaller products or anti-static insulation. Its bag and pouch selection is among the most varied lineups available, and the company performs custom work, too.
IMPAK’s complementary capabilities are some of its strongest benefits. The company sells an impressive range of desiccants, oxygen absorbers and sealing technologies and will even service this equipment. IMPAK will also test products for strength, sterility, moisture resistance and more to give you confidence in your packaging designs.
4. MAC Packaging
With decades in the industry, MAC Packaging is one of the more experienced suppliers on this list. It has become a national leader in mil-spec packaging, even offering consulting services for companies wanting to learn more about the industry. It’s also unique in that it solely works in custom jobs.
In addition to packaging, MAC manufactures RFID tags to military standards. These solutions make your products easier for clients to track through their warehouses and can streamline your own logistics processes. The brand will also file all related paperwork at no extra cost.
5. ProtoPak Engineering Corporation
Another long-standing firm in this sector is ProtoPak Engineering Corporation, which has provided mil-spec packaging since 1967. ProtoPak’s product range boasts impressive variety and even offers custom shipping platforms to meet your bulk order needs. Perhaps most impressively, the company has a 100% accuracy record.
ProtoPak also offers warehousing and logistics services to streamline supply chain operations in businesses that don’t have enough internal capacity. Its expert team can help you design personalized solutions and ensure your workflows are efficient to deliver the highest quality to your clients.
How to Choose a Mil-Spec Packaging Supplier
The best mil-spec packaging supplier depends on your needs and the clientele you serve. However, there are a few general signs to look for when identifying a reliable provider.
Adherence to mil-spec guidelines is an obvious factor, but related regulatory requirements are also worth consideration. For example, the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification requires compliance with NIST SP 800-171 for some contractors, necessitating these standards from your supply chain partners. Other standards like the Food Safety Modernization Act or ISO 27001 may introduce unique needs, too.
When choosing between certified partners, consider the kinds of packaging you need. Many of the best suppliers offer multiple packaging types, but not every company manufactures every product type. Consequently, you must determine if bags, cartons, crates or other solutions suit your shipments the best before deciding on a supplier.
A business’s complementary services and support options are also worth consideration. The ability to customize packaging or buy related products like humidity indicators or mil-spec sealers may significantly streamline your operations. Similarly, a partner offering greater support and information will be easier to work with, especially when unexpected challenges arise.
Finally, look for signs of transparency and reliability from packaging suppliers. Over half of all organizations report that procurement fraud is a major issue in their area. Such risks are damaging in any sector but all the weightier in a military context. Given these concerns, you should only work with firms that have thorough documentation on their mil-spec compliance.
The Best Mil-Spec Packaging Suppliers Compared
Any of the five mil-spec packaging companies on this list can be a worthy partner. Here is how these providers compare along a few key categories.
| Supplier | Packaging types | Additional capabilities | Support options |
| Edco Supply Corporation | Cartons, bags, static shielding, desiccants, barrier films, wrapping, cloth paper, tubing | Custom orders, humidity indicators, tapes and sealers, labels | Dedicated customer support line, email, industry blog |
| Quality Support, LLC | Crates, cartons, bags static shielding | Custom orders, die-cut foam insulators, design services, NIST SP 800-171 compliance | Dedicated customer support line, email |
| IMPAK Corporation | Bags, static shielding, desiccants | Custom orders, prototyping, oxygen absorbers, sealers, labels, sealer repairs, product testing | Dedicated customer support line, email |
| MAC Packaging | Cartons, bags, static shielding, barrier films, wrapping | Custom orders, prototyping, humidity indicators labels, RFID tags, paperwork services | Consulting services, dedicated customer support line, email, industry blog |
| ProtoPak Engineering Corporation | Crates, cartons, bags, static shielding, desiccants, barrier films, wrapping | Custom orders, labels, RFID tags, shipping platforms, supply chain solutions | Consulting services, dedicated customer support line, email |
Choose the Best Mil-Spec Packaging Supplier for Your Products
When you partner with the best mil-spec packaging suppliers, you can uphold higher quality and compliance standards without sacrificing efficiency or flexibility. Any business selling to military agencies or contractors must abide by these requirements. Start your compliance journey by finding the right mil-spec packaging provider for your needs.
