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Edge Protectors, Corner Protectors, Corner Guards, or V-Board?

After decades of manufacturing spiral paper tubes and paper cores, we dove into manufacturing v-board. The raw materials are the same, and it just made sense for us to add it to our product line.

Around the office, we call it “v-board” but on our website, we call it “edge protectors”. We all know what we’re talking about, but why do we have two different names for the same product?

Well, it turns out, we’re not alone. From manufacturer to manufacturer, “v-board” might be called “corner protectors”. The exact same product that we might call “v-board” might not be called “v-board” by somebody else.

We’ve learned to work around the challenge of have a product have multiple names, but for the newbie, it couldn’t be more confusing. When somebody googles “corner guards”, looking for the product we make, they might find themselves on a website offering products that will help help new parents “baby proof” their house.

If you’re looking for v-board, corner protectors, corner guards, or edge protectors, just keep at it. You’ll eventually find a supplier of the product you’re actually looking for.

Where do you manufacture?

For the past couple of years, our supply chains have been irregular to say the least.

We used to order parts and components without thinking twice about lead times, let alone availability. That has all changed, and has caused many to ask us where we actually manufacture our paper tubes and edge protectors.

The Answer: We manufacture in the Los Angeles area. Exactly where we’ve been since 1949.

If you are having challenges getting paper tubes and/or edge protectors from your offshore supplier, please consider contacting us.

Save time and money buying from a domestic manufacturer.

Serving Los Angeles since 1949

Spiral Paper Tube & Core was founded by George Hibard Sr., a US Marine and World War II veteran, nearly seventy years ago.

A machinist by trade, he designed and fabricated most of our first machines. From 1949 to 2004, we were located south of downtown Los Angeles at 8802 S. Graham, Los Angeles, CA 90002.

Bursting at the seams, we needed a bigger building, more more efficient transportation, and additional office space.

Originally, we manufactured spiral paper tubes such as garment tubes, tape cores, and mailing tubes. All were, and still are,  relatively simple to manufacture and serve a wide audience.

Over the years, we’ve explored more industries, discovering even more spiral paper tube needs. This has resulted is us making smaller diameters, larger diameters, shorter tubes, longer tubes, thinner tubes, thicker tubes, as well as adding custom paper, plastic and metal end closures.

In 2002, George Hibard Jr., like his father, designed and fabricated a machine that manufactured a paper product with a few different names: edge protectors, corner protectors, or simply “v-board.”

Invisible to most retail consumers, this v-shaped corner protector can always be seen at big box retailers such as Costco and Sam’s club on pallets of merchandise still shrink wrapped on the shelving.

 

With nearly seventy years of business under our belts, we’ve learned, grown, adapted, and have enjoyed serving Los Angeles with our paper packaging and shipping products. We’re looking forward to another seventy!

The History of Spiral Paper Tube & Core – Los Angeles

After returning from World War II, George Hibard Sr., a Wisconsin native, set out to pursue his American dream when he started Spiral Paper Tube & Core in 1949.

A machinist by trade, and a USC Marshall School of Business student by night, Mr. Hibard designed, engineered and fabricated most of the machinery used to produce his first spiral paper tubes.

For the first 55 years, Spiral Paper Tube & Core was located at 8802 South Graham, Los Angeles, CA 90002.

George Hibard Jr., an inventor and economist, followed in the footsteps of his father and became President in the 1990s.

Within ten years, George had quickly increased the number of product lines to eight, including Edge Protectors, one of Spiral Paper Tube & Core’s most popular products.

In 2004, Spiral Paper Tube & Core moved its headquarters from South Los Angeles to its current location, 5200 Industry Avenue, Pico Rivera, CA 90660.

After 68 years in business, we continue to value quality, excellence, honesty and integrity. Our diverse product line is reaching farther and servicing more industries now than any time before.

Many of the employees that worked for Mr. Hibard are still with us today. And it is not uncommon for an old-time customer or vendor to call the office and share a few stories about the good ole days with the younger staff. We believe genuine connection best compliments our quality packaging products—it is our way of best serving you.

See our Edge Protectors in action!

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We toured a major retailer on a recent visit to Washington state. We spotted our Edge Protectors in action and wanted to show you a few different ways they’re used.

The Edge Protectors in these photos have white paper on the outside (top) and kraft paper on the inside (less visible side).

If you look closely, you can see that some pieces seem to have multiple layers – this is an indication of a thicker piece.

In some photos, the Edge Protectors are being used to protect the product and primary packaging. In others, they’re being used to increase column strength.

Can you tell the difference?

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Have a question about Edge Protectors? We’d love to hear from you! Contact us anytime.

Freight companies are damaging our shipments. What can we do?

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If you ship corrugated boxes on pallets, you’ve probably said this before.

A few years ago, box manufacturers started making cardboard boxes with higher recycled content. This is good for the environment but bad for logistics. What you may have saved by purchasing a more economical box, you’re paying for in freight claims.

What’s the solution?

Protect your LTL and truckload shipments by adding Edge Protectors along the vertical and horizontal corners. Paper Edge Protectors protect vulnerable corners during transit.

When metal or plastic strapping is used, Edge Protectors also help distribute the force of the banding, resulting in a secure and protected shipment.

Combining a few Edge Protectors with those recycled boxes will continue to save you money, and help you avoid future freight claims.

Visit our product page for additional technical specifications.

 

Can You Identify the Edge Protectors?

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Did you select the middle image? Congratulations!

Edge Protectors are also known as Corner Protectors. They’re used to protect edges and provide additional column strength when used vertically. In the picture above, they’re being used to do both.

Edge Protector Facts:

  1. made with recycled paper
  2. usually white on the outside (top) and kraft brown on the inside (bottom)
  3. shaped into a 90 degree angle
  4. can be printed

Why Are Edge Protectors Important?

When paper is initially made from wood, it has long, strong fibers. Each time paper is recycled, the fibers are shortened, reducing its strength. A common egg carton is the end of the road. The paper has been recycled so many times it has no structural strength. It’s barely strong enough to hold a dozen eggs.

It’s more economical for corrugated box makers to use recycled paper to make boxes. The higher the recycled content, the shorter the fibers, the weaker the box.

The majority of business-to-business shipments (boxes) are sent on wooden pallets, which is why Edge Protectors are needed. Low-quality boxes are set on pallets, with an edge protector placed on each of the four corners, then stretch wrapped. Together, the wooden pallet, weak corrugated boxes, and thick Edge Protectors create a sturdy shipment.

It’s more economical for businesses to combine a cheaper, low-quality box with Edge Protectors than it is to purchase corrugated boxes made with less recycled content.

The Future of Packaging 2016

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According to Hannu Alalauri, SVP at The Global Pack Summit, the packaging industry is seeing the following 5 major trends:

  1. Increasing importance of brand building and “shelf standout”
  2. Increasing competitive intensity in the value chain drives cost focus
  3. Sustainability and environmental friendliness is growing in importance
  4. Intelligent packaging will grow stronger in the future
  5. E-tailing volumes will continue to increase

Read more…

Merry Christmas from all of us at Spiral Paper Tube & Core!

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Another wonderful year is coming to a close at Spiral Paper Tube & Core.

As a local manufacturer of paper tubes and edge protectors, our paper products have continued to give us the opportunity to meet great people who either use or distribute our products.

Since 1949, our family owned and operated shop has valued the personal relationship we have with our customers. Read more…

Expand Your Packaging Knowledge!

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Introducing the first Knowledge Base dedicated entirely to paper tubes and edge protectors!

We’ve been serving the packaging community since 1949 and have learned a few things along the way. Now, we want to share everything we’ve learned with you!

Whether you’re just starting out or are an industry pro, you’ll find these articles helpful and informative!

Our Knowledge Base is an online library of articles, addressing just about everything having to do with cardboard tubes and edge protectors. Articles discuss topics such as raw materials, the manufacturing process, printing options, packaging, and shipping. Read more…