Sheet Plants vs. Corrugate Manufacturers vs. Distributors: Which is Best for Your Business?

When it comes to sourcing corrugated boxes for your business, you have three main options: a sheet plant (like R&L Packaging), a corrugation plant, or a packaging distributor. While each has its place, choosing the right one can make all the difference in price, lead times, and customization. If you’re in the produce, grower, manufacturing, beverage & food, or distribution industry, understanding these differences will help you get the best packaging solution for your needs.

Corrugation Plants – The High-Volume Workhorses

Corrugation plants manufacture corrugated board by running massive rolls of paper through a corrugator to create the fluted material that makes up a corrugated sheet. These plants are built for efficiency and need to keep their machines running at all times. Their business model is based on high volume, low margins, meaning they often give away board at cost just to keep production moving.
Best for: Large-scale operations that need 30+ truckloads per year and are willing to take stock sizes or bulk-run orders. If you need small batches, unique customizations, or shorter lead times, a corrugation plant is not your best bet.

Packaging Distributors – The Middlemen Marking Up Costs

Distributors don’t manufacture anything—they purchase boxes from manufacturers (like R&L Packaging) and resell them at a markup. They often stock a limited range of standard RSC, HSC, FOL boxes, along with trays and jumbo totes, which can be convenient for businesses needing off-the-shelf solutions. However, if you need a custom size, a unique design, or a cost-effective alternative to their stock options, distributors can’t compete with a sheet plant’s flexibility and pricing.
Best for: Businesses that only need standard stock boxes and don’t mind paying extra for the convenience of immediate availability.

Sheet Plants (Like R&L Packaging) – The Best of Both Worlds

As a sheet plant in Abbotsford, BC, R&L Packaging operates as a conversion plant—we take corrugated sheets from various board suppliers and convert them into the exact boxes you need. This allows us to source the best board for your specific application while providing low minimum order quantities, quick turnaround times, and full customization.
Why R&L Packaging is the Best Choice:✔ Custom Solutions: Whether you need die-cut boxes, trays, jumbo totes, partitions, or laminated quad/triple-wall board, we can design a box that fits your product perfectly.
✔ Better Pricing: We source board strategically, which means we can make a stock-equivalent box for less than a distributor or improve upon a standard design.
✔ Flexibility: Unlike a corrugation plant, we’re not locked into mass production—we cater to your needs, whether it’s a short run or a complex design.
✔ Hands-On Customer Service: We help you from A to Z, making sure you get a packaging solution that truly works for your business.
✔ Short Lead Times: Need boxes fast? We specialize in quick turnarounds and low MOQs, perfect for businesses that can’t afford long waits.
Don’t Overpay for Boxes—Get a Quote from R&L Packaging Today!If you’re looking for custom boxes at the best price, R&L Packaging is the clear choice. Don’t settle for overpriced distributor stock or the limitations of a high-volume corrugation plant. Let’s create the perfect packaging solution for your business!
📞 Call us today, come see us in Abbotsford or request a quote at – 📧 Sales@RLPackaging.ca