Today we’d like to introduce you to Greg Levy.
Greg, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I wanted to work in my family business for as long as I can remember. My dad is, to this day, my biggest motivator and mentor. He owned a packaging machinery manufacturing company that he bought in 1986 and moved our family from South Africa to Chicago to operate it. Naturally, I earned a B.S in Packaging from Michigan State and went to work for the business in 1997. In 2009, I was presented with an opportunity to run a subsidiary company that focused on primary food packaging systems and materials. Eventually, the subsidiary was spun out and I became the owner and president. We specialize in advanced food packaging automation systems that include modified atmosphere gas flush systems and vacuum skin packaging. These technologies help food manufacturers safely and naturally extend the shelf life of their products with out adding chemicals or preservatives. We currently have strategic partnerships with domestic and global packaging systems and materials manufacturers.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Smooth… that’s funny. I have dealt with everything one can imagine starting up a company from unreliable suppliers to difficult customers and all the other fits and starts of a new company. One of my biggest challenges early on was dealing with the financial collapse of an off-shore supplier of equipment. We had customers waiting for product and no way to deliver it on time. It took a lot of juggling and tap dancing but eventually we came through with alternative solutions that met the needs.
Point Five Packaging – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We feed the world… well at least we help make it possible. Packaging is usually the last thing people think about when they are developing the next greatest Greek Yogurt or hummus or meatless burgers, but it is one of the most important things when it comes to efficiently and safely get the product to the shelf and then actually have people buy it.
Point Five specializes in all of the above. We help our customers develop or source packaging that will help their product stand out from the rest. We also help them with the technology they will need to package and ship their products. The greatest satisfaction I get is when I see people buying the products that we have had some role in developing the packaging for. It’s kind of like when a musician hears their own songs on the radio… but in a packaging kind of way.
Our niche at Point Five, is the ability to take a product from concept to market and be part of the entire solution. A lot of our competitors can do some parts of that process where as we can do the whole thing.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
I get off on the success of others. My proudest personal moment is yet to come but to me there is nothing better than when one of my employees is recognized for a job well done or lands a big deal for us. It’s the people that make Point Five. They come to work every day and put their energy into our company. There is no greater joy to see them get the recognition they deserve.
Contact Info:
- Address: 9435 River Street
Schiller Park, IL 6176 - Website: www.p5pkg.com
- Phone: 847-678-5016
- Email: info@p5pkg.com
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
