Our Story: Built on Values, Strengthened by Innovation
In 1985, GL Packaging was born as GL Wood Products, a small family-owned business founded by Lewis Tomala. With a focus on consistent quality and exceptional customer service, Lewis envisioned a company where customers could solve their packaging challenges with a single phone call. Whether it was finding the right pallet or meeting tight delivery deadlines, GL was built on the promise of reliability and craftsmanship.
From the beginning, GL thrived on trust earned over time. Many of our earliest customers are still with us today, a testament to decades of on-time deliveries, fast reactions to urgent needs, and creative solutions that offset rising costs. A Vision for the Future
In 1994, GL Wood Products became a pioneer in the corrugated pallet industry. At a time when corrugated pallets were largely being developed by major paper companies, GL carved out a unique niche as a dedicated pallet manufacturer. By combining hands-on craftsmanship with insights from the field, we developed our own innovative brand: Ecodek Corrugated Pallets. These pallets offered customers an economical, eco-friendly alternative to traditional wood pallets without sacrificing performance.
By the late 1990s, GL had evolved into GL Packaging Products, a name that better reflected our growing emphasis on corrugated solutions. With this change, we began applying real-world pallet knowledge to create customized designs tailored to each customer’s specific application. This approach wasn’t about designing a “one-size-fits-most” generic solution—it was about creating the right pallet for a customer’s unique application. Growth Through InnovationAs the demand for Ecodek Corrugated Pallets grew, so did our company. In 2004, we expanded with a second manufacturing facility in Mississippi. This move not only enabled us to better serve customers across the southeastern United States but also helped offset rising fuel costs, ensuring we could continue to provide cost-effective solutions.
Through economic challenges like the 2008 recession, GL adapted, eventually phasing out wood pallets entirely to focus on the sustainability and efficiency of corrugated designs. In 2010, GL rebranded as GreenLabel Packaging, highlighting the eco-friendly benefits of our products. Today, Ecodek Corrugated Pallets are used in industries ranging from pharmaceuticals to automotive, food to retail. A Family Legacy of Innovation
Under the leadership of Lewis’s children, Todd Tomala and Tracy Mong, GL remains a small but determined family business, thriving in a billion-dollar industry where others have struggled. We’ve embraced automation and repurposed existing manufacturing equipment to remain competitive, constantly innovating to enhance pallet strength while keeping costs low.
At GreenLabel Packaging, our values remain as steadfast as the day Lewis founded the company. From answering your call with someone who knows your account to delivering on the promise of quality and reliability, we continue to honor our roots. What sets us apart is not just our eco-friendly approach, but the real-world expertise we bring to every pallet we design. Why We SucceedAt GreenLabel Packaging, we’re not just building pallets—we’re building partnerships. For nearly 40 years, we’ve earned the trust of our customers, many of whom have been with us for decades. This longevity is a testament to our consistent values, commitment to quality, and ability to deliver innovative, customer-focused solutions.
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