The company was founded in 1958 as Buckeye Container by Melvin E. Barthen, who began the business with just eight employees and a simple belief: when you invest in people, success follows. That belief quickly took root. By the mid-1960s, Buckeye installed its first printing press, expanded its team, and introduced employee stock ownership — laying the foundation for a culture of accountability, pride, and shared success.
As the company grew through the 1960s and 1970s, so did its leadership and vision. A formal board was established, new capabilities were added, and Buckeye continued to expand while remaining 100% employee-owned. Following Mel Barthen’s passing in 1978, longtime leader Jim Basford assumed the role of President, guiding the company through continued growth as annual sales surpassed $5 million.
In 1984, Buckeye Container became Buckeye Corrugated, Inc., reflecting a broader scope and an expanding footprint that included multiple divisions and manufacturing operations. Over the decades that followed, BCI evolved alongside the industry — adding services, investing in technology, and expanding geographically to meet growing customer demand.
Today, BCI operates a coast-to-coast network of corrugated manufacturing facilities and sheet feeders, serving leading brands with custom-designed packaging and point-of-purchase displays. With hundreds of employee-owners and independently managed operations across the country, we combine national scale with local accountability.
But no matter how much we grow, one thing has never changed — and never will.
BCI remains employee-owned, American-made, and relentlessly focused on performance. Our history isn’t just measured in years or facilities, but in the trust we’ve earned and the partnerships we continue to build for the future.
