Michael Pearson started Union Packaging at the encouragement of his father who migrated north from the south, after World War II. Pearson created Union Packaging with the primary goal of bringing jobs and greater opportunity to the greater Philadelphia region.
Drawing on his experience as a previous Fortune 500 company director, Pearson identified a specific niche in the food packaging market—FDA control packaging. He was able to successfully create a unique path for Union Packaging in the quick service restaurant market by using the connections he made through his former position. Some of his customers include Burger King, Wendy’s and Whole Foods.
Pearson credits his partnership with the Philadelphia MBDA Business Center in the development and expansion of Union Packaging.
“The Philadelphia MBDA Business Center is a great resource for Minority Business Enterprises because of their expertise in strategic planning and their ability to identify key partners that some entrepreneurs may have overlooked,” he said.
Union Packaging has received numerous recognitions and awards that include Black Enterprise Magazine’s Top 100 (BE 100s) Industrial/Service Businesses, Philly 100 Fastest Growing Companies in 2013, and The Eastern MSDC 2013 Class III Supplier of the Year.
Pearson said that utilizing a differentiation strategy and partnering with innovative suppliers are major components of his success. One of Union Packaging’s 12 Pillars of Success includes environmental stewardship and the company has been a leader in the production of earth-friendly packaging since its inception in 1999.
Union Packaging has been a client of the Philadelphia MBDA Business Center since 2012. The center assists their clients with business development, matchmaking and business consulting services. For more information on the Philadelphia MBDA Business Center, please visit: http://www.mbda.gov/businesscenters/philadelphia
