Founder's Statement
"Carton Service Co. was born out of the living room of our home in 1975. Harold and Gerald Unkeles, owners of Carton Service in Portland, Oregon approached my wife, Saralyn and I about opening up a branch in Seattle. Harold and Gerald pretty much said, “I will get the product, you find the customers.” I began making some phone calls. Starting up a business with three small children is not easy. At one point, we had the phone transfer from the office to our home if I couldn’t answer in time and Saralyn would help the customer.
By 1983, the Unkeles brothers and I decided to break ties financially but stay friendly in business. We started out with one employee other than Saralyn and I. He worked in the warehouse and drove the truck. If he was out delivering and a customer came to pick up, I would pull the order. Everyone pitched in to get the work done each day. Carton Service Co. has grown in size to a team of six. Although we have changed in numbers, everyone still pitches in to help get things done.
One of the benefits of owning a small business for so many years is that you can create friendships with your customers and vendors. I have been buying and selling to some of the same people for over 30 years. The funny thing is, when we started selling used and surplus boxes the word ‘Recycle’ was not even a household term yet. And now, we are even greener than the Recyclers by helping the community Reuse.
Carton Service Co. was created to provide your company with quality affordable shipping boxes and other packaging supplies. I am proud to say we are doing just that 37 years later. "
Sincerely,
Marvin Negrin