Petra & Holum

07/30/2026

Nearly 100 years ago, Arthur Holum made a decision that would shape generations to come.

In 1933, during the Great Depression, he left the security of a steady job to start making book covers in a basement after work. Armed with little more than determination, craftsmanship, and a vision, he built the foundation for what would become Petra & Holum.

Today, that same entrepreneurial spirit still drives everything we do.
While our products have evolved from handcrafted book covers to premium luxury packaging, our commitment to quality has never changed.

As Richard Holum puts it:
"You either grow and change with the times or die."

That philosophy has helped our family business thrive through changing markets, new technologies, and nearly a century of innovation.
When you choose Petra & Holum, you're partnering with a company built on generations of experience, craftsmanship, and continuous improvement.

https://petraandholum.com/family-owned-packaging-company-history

07/23/2026

Most businesses are lucky to survive one generation.

Petra & Holum is approaching its fourth.

The company's story began in 1933 when Sara Hoffberg founded Petra Manufacturing Company during the Great Depression.

According to her grandson, Norman Hoffberg:
"She was driven to business. She enjoyed it. Probably the only thing she enjoyed more was her family."

That entrepreneurial spirit became the foundation of a remarkable family business legacy.

The next generation brought a new kind of innovation.

Norman's father, Bud Hoffberg, was constantly searching for new opportunities and applications.

"My dad was always looking for unusual applications, different types of things."

In fact, Petra Manufacturing Company became the first customer for Velcro in the Western Hemisphere.

But perhaps the most important lesson from three generations of leadership isn't about products.

It's about people.

As a young man, Norman worked throughout the factory.

"I was always being given the worst, hardest jobs in the factory that I could handle."

The experience taught him something that still shapes the company today:
"It developed a tremendous respect for everybody that works for us."

That's the power of a true multi-generational business.

Values get passed down.

Innovation gets passed down.

Respect gets passed down.

And when those things happen consistently, a company becomes more than a business.

It becomes a legacy.

https://petraandholum.com/family-business-legacy-three-generations

07/20/2026

Sewing Jobs Available Chicago Available now (Chicago)

Sewing Jobs Available We are looking to hire several experienced "Sewing Machine Operators" We are an 85-year-old company that manufactures Industrial Sewn Products ranging from medical supplies,...

07/09/2026

"Steve Jobs said packaging is theater."

According to Petra & Holum Co-President Norman Hoffberg, that's exactly right.

The best packaging doesn't start when a customer opens the box.

It starts when they see it.

It starts when they touch it.

It starts when anticipation begins to build.

Norman has watched brands create unforgettable customer experiences through thoughtful packaging design.

As he explains:

"It's the thrill and the experience of opening a present."

That insight explains why the premium packaging experience matters more than ever.

Today's consumers often assume product quality.

What separates brands is the experience.

Luxury packaging.

Custom rigid boxes.

Memorable unboxing experiences.

Thoughtful brand storytelling packaging.

These elements create emotional connections long before a customer uses the product.

Norman describes packaging as:

"The warm-up act. Our package starts to get the blood flowing."

That's what great packaging does.

It builds anticipation.

It creates emotion.

It reinforces brand value.

And it turns a delivery into an experience.

For DTC brands, luxury brands, agencies, and product marketers, packaging is no longer just protection.

It's one of the most powerful branding tools available.

How much of your customer experience happens before they even touch the product?

https://petraandholum.com/premium-packaging-experience-theater/

07/02/2026

What does 93 years in business teach you about brand longevity?

More than most business books ever could.

In 1933, during the Great Depression, Sara Hoffberg founded Petra Manufacturing Company. Nearly a century later, that entrepreneurial spirit still drives Petra & Holum today.

When asked what made his grandmother successful, Co-President Norman Hoffberg put it simply:
"She was very smart and was not stopped by fear. She moved forward."

That mindset is one of the biggest lessons behind brand longevity.

Over 93 years, Petra & Holum has navigated recessions, wars, supply chain disruptions, changing technologies, and shifting customer expectations. Through it all, a few principles never changed:
✔ Put customers first
✔ Invest in employees
✔ Adapt without abandoning your values
✔ Focus on quality, even as the definition of quality evolves

As Norman shared:
"Our customers set the table for everything."

That simple philosophy is why so many long-lasting brands continue to thrive while others disappear.

The most successful companies don't survive because they avoid challenges. They survive because they learn how to solve them.

During COVID, Petra & Holum pivoted production to manufacture millions of protective garments and masks. The lesson?

"It's how you solve the challenges that are in front of an entrepreneur every day."

For founders, CEOs, family-owned businesses, and brand leaders, the message is clear:
Business longevity is not built through short-term thinking.

It's built through trust.

It's built through adaptability.

It's built through people.

And it's built through the kind of entrepreneurial legacy that can carry a company from one generation to the next.

What's the most important lesson you've learned about building a brand that lasts?

https://petraandholum.com/brand-longevity-lessons-100-years/

06/25/2026

Premium rigid box packaging feels different the moment customers touch it.

Weight, texture, magnetic closures, and premium finishes all shape customer perception instantly.

Luxury packaging is not just protection - it is part of the brand experience.

Learn more about premium rigid box packaging: https://petraandholum.com/premium-rigid-box-packaging/

06/19/2026

Sewing Jobs Available
We are looking to hire several experienced "Sewing Machine Operators" We are an 85-year-old company
that manufactures Industrial Sewn Products ranging from medical supplies, sales tools, sales kits and
portfolios of every shape and size.
Position; Experienced Industrial Sewing Machine Operators.

More info here.

https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/mnu/d/elmwood-park-sewing-jobs-available/7941856144.html

Custom packaging manufacturer in Chicago specializing in luxury presentation boxes and industrial cases. Get factory-direct lead times and expert design.

06/18/2026

One of the biggest custom packaging mistakes happens when brands focus only on appearance instead of functionality.

Beautiful mockups do not always translate into successful production.

Great packaging balances creativity, engineering, durability, and customer experience at the same time.

Learn more about custom packaging mistakes: https://petraandholum.com/custom-packaging-mistakes/

06/11/2026

“Packaging is the first physical touch point with a customer.”

That one idea changes how luxury brands should think about the customer experience.

A premium packaging experience builds emotion, trust, and excitement before the product is even opened.

Learn more about our premium packaging: https://petraandholum.com/premium-packaging-experience/