The Independent Carton Group was born on a sunny morning in the VIP room at LaGuardia Airport.

That morning in 1983, the owners of five independent folding carton companies met to discuss how they could help each other in the event of a catastrophe at one of their production facilities. They ended up creating a vision that would change the way they did business.

Their vision was for the Independent Carton Group (ICG), an association to help independent folding carton suppliers compete against large, integrated paper companies. At first the ICG’s activities were modest. The founders established informal arrangements to provide emergency backup production and took turns hosting meetings. But as membership grew, so did the scope of the organization.

In 1991, the ICG opened its first office and hired its first staff members. 1999 saw the creation of the ICG Purchasing Program, intended to help ICG companies buy raw materials at prices competitive with large integrated firms. In 2003, the ICG moved to its new headquarters in Newtown, Connecticut and launched its new Website. Soon, the ICG will introduce a branding campaign to build awareness of the benefits of working with ICG companies.

Today the ICG includes twenty-one members located across the United States. The ICG now provides a variety of programs and services designed to help ICG companies meet the needs of their customers. Programs include supply assurance, an expanded ICG Purchasing Program, and expert presentations and networking opportunities at quarterly meetings.

Begun by a few visionaries talking in an airport, the ICG has grown to become a major force in the folding carton industry.