Australian-made packaging, built around the customer
Pakko is an Australian-owned cardboard packaging manufacturer helping businesses design, produce and manage packaging with greater certainty.
From our Brisbane manufacturing facility, we support growing brands, national enterprises and government organisations with locally made packaging, responsive service and the production capability to deliver across thousands of SKUs.
Who we are
A packaging partner that understands what is at stake
Packaging may look simple from the outside. For the businesses relying on it, it affects production schedules, fulfilment, product protection, presentation, freight costs and the customer experience.
Pakko was built to remove the delays, quality uncertainty and communication problems that can make packaging difficult to manage. We bring design, printing, converting and manufacturing together locally, giving our customers greater visibility and control from the first concept through to ongoing supply.
Whether you are launching a new product, consolidating packaging across multiple locations or managing a large portfolio of recurring SKUs, our role is to make the process clearer, more reliable and easier to scale.
Designed around the product
Packaging developed to suit the product, supply chain, packing process and presentation requirements.
Manufactured in Brisbane
Local production provides greater oversight, responsive communication and more predictable lead times.
Built for ongoing supply
Support for recurring orders, multiple SKUs, scheduled releases and longer-term packaging programs.
Managed by real people
Direct access to an Australian team that understands packaging production and takes responsibility for the outcome.
Founder story
Built by someone who lived the problem
Pakko was founded by Nina Nguyen after seeing firsthand how difficult packaging could be.
Growing up, Nina watched her parents operate a fresh produce farm in regional Queensland and struggle to source reliable boxes for their products. Later, through her own experience importing packaging, she encountered many of the same frustrations: long lead times, inconsistent quality, limited visibility and little control when something went wrong.
Those experiences shaped the reason Pakko exists. Nina believed Australian businesses deserved a better way to source packaging: local manufacturing, clearer communication, dependable quality and a supplier that understood the pressure sitting behind every order.
“Pakko was built around a simple belief: sourcing packaging should not feel uncertain. Our customers should know who is making it, where it is being made and who will take responsibility for getting it right.”
Nina Nguyen, Founder and CEO
How Pakko has grown
From small beginnings to manufacturing at scale
Pakko is founded
Pakko begins with a mission to make custom packaging more accessible, transparent and reliable for Australian businesses.
Design and short-run production expand
Pakko develops local production capabilities to support businesses needing custom sizes, printed packaging and flexible quantities.
Digital tools and production systems introduced
Pakko invests in design technology, automated quoting and manufacturing systems to simplify how packaging is specified and produced.
Capability grows across print and converting
Additional machinery and production capability allow Pakko to support more packaging formats, print methods, finishes and order volumes.
Pakko moves into its Virginia manufacturing facility
The expanded Brisbane site provides greater production capacity, warehousing and room for the business to support larger and more complex customer programs.
More than 50 million units across thousands of SKUs
Pakko supports customers across ecommerce, retail, pharmaceutical, biomedical, automotive, beverage, government and other specialised industries.
What Pakko manufactures
Packaging made for real products, operations and supply chains
Pakko manufactures corrugated and paperboard packaging for businesses across Australia. Our capabilities include custom shipping cartons, mailer boxes, retail cartons, product boxes, inserts, dividers, sleeves, carry packs, beverage packaging, pharmaceutical cartons, biomedical packaging and specialised packaging developed for individual products or operating requirements.
Projects may involve simple plain cartons, branded short runs, high-volume repeat production or packaging portfolios containing hundreds or thousands of SKUs.
Corrugated Packaging
Shipping cartons, mailers, protective packaging, dividers and industrial applications.
Printed Retail Packaging
Custom printed cartons, sleeves, product packaging and point-of-sale applications.
Specialised Packaging
Packaging for pharmaceutical, biomedical, automotive, beverage and regulated environments.
Packaging Programs
Recurring production, drawdown arrangements, scheduled supply and multi-SKU management.
Who we work with
Packaging experience across Australian industries
Ecommerce
Mailer boxes, shipping cartons, inserts and packaging designed to reduce damage and improve fulfilment.
Retail and consumer goods
Printed cartons and product packaging developed for shelf presentation and brand consistency.
Pharmaceutical and biomedical
Cartons, instruction leaflets, sample packaging and secondary packaging produced with controlled specifications.
Food, beverage, beer and wine
Protective packs, carry cartons, can packaging, bottle packaging and printed secondary packaging.
Automotive and spare parts
Durable cartons, inserts, dividers and multi-SKU packaging for warehouses and distribution networks.
Beauty and skincare
Folding cartons, sleeves, product inserts and printed packaging for cosmetics and personal care products.
Government and enterprise
Structured packaging supply supported by documentation, quality management and local production.
FMCG
High-volume printed cartons, multipacks and secondary packaging built for fast turnaround and consistent repeat supply.
Quality & procurement confidence
Quality systems behind every order
Packaging quality is not only about how a box looks. It includes dimensional accuracy, material selection, print consistency, structural performance, traceability and repeatability across future production runs.
Pakko operates under an ISO 9001 accredited quality management system and follows documented processes across quoting, artwork, prepress, production, inspection and dispatch.
Sustainability
Better packaging starts with better decisions
Sustainability in packaging is not achieved through one material claim or symbol. It begins with designing packaging that uses an appropriate amount of material, protects the product properly and performs efficiently throughout the supply chain.
Pakko works with customers to consider box dimensions, material grades, product protection, recyclability, packing efficiency, freight utilisation and unnecessary void space.
Our local manufacturing model can also provide greater visibility over how packaging is produced and where materials are sourced.
Culture
What guides the way we work
Take responsibility
We do not pass packaging problems from one department to another. We work together to find a practical path forward.
Make it easier for the customer
Packaging can be technical. Our responsibility is to explain the options clearly and help customers make informed decisions.
Keep improving
We invest in people, machinery, technology and systems that make production more efficient, consistent and reliable.
Respect the work
Every box represents somebody’s product, business and reputation. We treat that responsibility seriously, regardless of order size.
Grow together
Pakko’s growth has been made possible by our customers, suppliers, team and local manufacturing community.
In the media
As featured in
Coverage of Pakko’s local manufacturing, packaging innovation and the people behind the business.
Pakko’s Growth Plans
Forbes Australia explores how Pakko is combining innovation, technology and local manufacturing to drive its next phase of growth.
Thinking Outside the Box
The CEO Magazine shares Nina Nguyen’s journey in building Pakko through passion, resilience, innovation and a commitment to Australian manufacturing.
Homegrown Manufacturing
Business News Australia shares Nina’s journey from helping her parents source boxes to building Pakko into an innovative Australian packaging manufacturer.
Investing in Innovation
PKN Packaging News explores how Pakko is investing in advanced technology and global partnerships to strengthen Australian manufacturing and improve production efficiency.
Customer-First Innovation
Telstra shares how Pakko combines authenticity, a deep understanding of customer needs and smart technology to create better packaging experiences, build stronger relationships and support long-term business growth.
Diversity That Belongs
Inside Small Business shares Nina Nguyen’s perspective on creating inclusive workplaces where cultural differences are respected, every voice is valued and people feel they truly belong.
Recognition
Recognition for leadership, innovation and Australian manufacturing
More than 24,000 small businesses were nominated for the 2022 Telstra Best of Business Awards. Pakko won in the category for Progressing Australia, recognising local leadership that builds thriving communities and contributes to the local economy.
The Lord Mayor’s Multicultural Awards for Business celebrate the contribution multicultural businesses make to the Brisbane economy and community through their creativity, innovation and resilience. Nina Nguyen won Multicultural Entrepreneur of the Year.
The PIDA Young Packaging Professional of the Year accolade recognises young professionals working in and pursuing their career within the ANZ packaging industry. Nina Nguyen won the Young Packaging Professional of the Year.
Community
Supporting the community around us
Pakko believes local manufacturing should create value beyond the products leaving the factory.
Materials with another purpose
Cardboard offcuts provided to suitable community or reuse programs where practical.
Supporting entrepreneurship
Participation in programs that encourage women, migrants and emerging founders to build businesses.
Visit our showroom
See where your packaging is made
We welcome customers and prospective partners to visit our Brisbane showroom at 70 Yarraman Place, Virginia QLD 4014, where you can see, touch and feel our full range of packaging materials, print finishes and product quality firsthand.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Is Pakko an Australian packaging manufacturer?
Yes. Pakko is an Australian-owned cardboard packaging manufacturer with production based in Virginia, Brisbane. We manufacture custom and stock cardboard packaging for customers across Australia.
What types of packaging does Pakko manufacture?
Pakko manufactures corrugated cartons, mailer boxes, shipping boxes, folding cartons, retail packaging, inserts, dividers, sleeves, carry packs and specialised cardboard packaging. Packaging can be supplied plain or custom printed, depending on the application.
Can Pakko support large or ongoing packaging requirements?
Yes. Pakko supports repeat production, multi-SKU packaging portfolios, scheduled orders, palletised supply and packaging programs for growing and enterprise customers.
Does Pakko only work with large businesses?
No. Pakko supports businesses at different stages of growth. The appropriate production method, quantity and packaging specification will depend on the product, design and budget.
Can Pakko help design packaging?
Yes. Pakko can assist with structural packaging design, dimensions, material selection, prototypes, print preparation and production planning.
Can Pakko replace packaging currently imported from overseas?
Pakko can assess existing imported packaging and determine whether it can be manufactured locally, reviewing structure, board, print, finishes, quantity and commercial requirements.
What printing methods does Pakko offer?
Available methods include digital, flexographic and offset printing. The most suitable method depends on the packaging material, artwork, quantity, quality requirements and budget.
Does Pakko offer sustainable packaging options?
Pakko manufactures fibre-based packaging and can help customers consider right-sizing, material efficiency, recyclability, product protection and reduction of unnecessary packaging components.
Does Pakko hold quality certifications?
Pakko operates under an ISO 9001 accredited quality management system. Additional company, material and compliance documentation can be provided where relevant.
Where does Pakko deliver?
Pakko supplies packaging to customers throughout Australia. Delivery arrangements depend on order size, pallet requirements, location and whether the packaging is a one-off order or part of an ongoing supply program.
Get started
Packaging should support your business, not slow it down
Speak with our Australian team about your product, quantities, timelines and packaging requirements. Already have specifications, artwork or a sample? Send them through with your enquiry.