No turns to grow for Elgin's Packaging Wholesalers

Mike Hrbacek's philosophy on the word “no” may be a primary reason he is running a growing business that sells packaging materials to companies across the country.

Growing up with little money, Hrbacek recalls that when he would ask for things, his father's answer was usually “no.” He grew to dislike the word.

His dislike for the word pleased his first employer though. The University of Arizona graduate was applying for a sales job selling boxes. During the interview, he was asked what he thought of the word no. He explained why he didn't like the word and that he does not take “no” for an answer. The boss liked this attitude and hired him on the spot.

About 14 months later, Hrbacek started his own business. His attitude of not taking no for an answer coupled with a strong work ethic has worked well for the salesman, who has altered the business into what it is today, The Packaging Wholesalers. He purchased the former Sherwin Williams building in Elgin at 1717 Gifford Road for $4 million and recently completed a $5.7 million renovation. “It was a tired, old building,” Hrbacek said of the Elgin property, built in 1967 and most recently owned by Ball Corp.

Hrbacek explains that his company is a wholesaler of packaging supplies, from brown boxes to strapping to tape. “We have everything you need to package and ship your product,” he said. He only sells to packaging distributors.

Moving from Schaumburg to Elgin, his business has quadrupled in size since the 2008 recession, he said. He has 90 employees in Elgin and another 40 at his Dallas, Texas facility that he opened in June.

The newly renovated 500,000-square-foot Elgin office features 51 truck docks and sells nationwide to all 43,000 ZIP codes, Hrbacek said. He added that the renovation took about 6 months and that it took five weeks, working 16-hour days, to make the move from Schaumburg. He said they are now very heavy into the technology needed to run the business. He added that he can offer better rates because of the large quantities of boxes and other supplies that they are able to order.

Hrbacek and his family have lived in Bartlett for the past 20 years. His oldest daughter is now involved with the business as well. Hrbacek grew up in Des Plaines and Mount Prospect. His work ethic started at a young age. His first job was a paper route. He said, “I learned that if I wanted something, I had to work for it.”

Labels & packaging materials

The Missner Group based in Skokie acquired a 78,000-square-foot industrial warehouse lease at 6565 W. Howard St. in Niles, valued at approximately $3.5 million and subsequently signed a full-building lease to Avery Dennison.

The Missner Group purchased the two-story facility from The Feld Family Limited Partnership based on its location and viability in the marketplace.

“The property was a strongly-qualified addition to our portfolio,” said Barry Missner, The Missner Group's president.

Avery Dennison is a global firm specializing in labeling and packaging materials and solutions. Headquartered in Glendale, California, the company operates in more than 50 countries and with more than 25,000 employees worldwide. The firm selected the building for its mix of office and warehouse space and location.

Hospitality recognition

Buffalo Grove High School has been named to the 2016 Elite 50, an annual selection of the top 50 secondary school hospitality programs in the nation.

The Elite 50 list recognizes high schools as well as career and technical centers that have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in hospitality education. These schools set the standard for secondary school training in culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, and/or hospitality management. These elite programs are also marked by strong enrollment and a dedication to community outreach. Many of this year's Elite 50 programs have won state and national competitions for ProStart, SkillsUSA and Family Career and Community Leaders of America.

More than 350 schools designated as Hospitality Programs of Distinction were invited to apply for the honor of being named to the Elite 50 list.

Tenants lined up

Oak Brook-based Adelphia Properties has arranged the sale of a fully leased multi-tenant, net-leased retail center consisting of regional & national tenants at 12801 S. Harlem Ave. in Palos Heights for $1.65 million.

Tenants include Lou Malnati's, Great Clips, Jersey Mike's Subs and Forever Yogurt. The 5,545-square-foot free-standing like new construction retail building was a redevelopment of an existing building that was redeveloped in 2014.

Expansion plans

Arlington Heights-based product development firm Optimal Design it is opening a new office in Chicago.

Much of Optimal's success has been a direct result of their forward thinking vision — to focus on what they call their “triangle of innovation” — Internet of Things, Virtual Reality and Wearables — three tech sector markets with endless promise said says Joe Wascow, co-founder and chief marketing officer.

“Opening this office is like bringing a piece of Silicon Valley to Chicago. It gives our clients access to this thriving commercial center and taps into some of the most innovative minds available today,” said Wascow at 601 W. Campus Drive in Arlington Heights.