Greif, Inc. (GEF): History, Ownership, Mission, How It Works & Makes Money

Ever wondered about the story behind Greif, Inc. (GEF), a global leader in industrial packaging? With a rich history dating back to 1877, this company has evolved into a key player in the industry, boasting $5.45 billion in revenue for 2024. But how exactly does Greif operate, who owns it, and what's its mission? Keep reading to discover the fascinating details behind this industrial packaging giant.

Greif, Inc. (GEF) History

Greif, Inc.'s Founding Timeline

Year established

Greif, Inc. was established in 1877.

Original location

The company was originally located in Cleveland, Ohio.

Founding team members

The founding team members included:

• Charles Greif
• Albert Greif
• Edwin A. Greif

Initial capital/funding

Greif, Inc. was founded with an initial capital of $5,000.

Greif, Inc.'s Evolution Milestones

Greif, Inc.'s Transformative Moments

• Diversification into Steel Drums (1926): Shifting from solely wooden barrels to steel drums broadened the company's product offerings and customer base, tapping into new markets and reducing reliance on a single product type.
• International Expansion (1960s): By extending operations into Canada and beyond, Greif, Inc. accessed new geographical markets, mitigated regional economic risks, and positioned itself as a global player in the industrial packaging sector.
• Acquisition of Van Leer Industrial (2001): This acquisition was a pivotal moment, significantly scaling Greif's global presence and product range, solidifying its position as a leader in the industrial packaging industry.
• Focus on Sustainability: Greif has increasingly emphasized sustainability through various initiatives, including promoting recyclable packaging solutions and reducing its environmental footprint. This focus aligns with global trends and customer demands for eco-friendly products.
• Acquisition of Caraustar Industries (2019): The purchase of Caraustar for $1.8 billion enhanced Greif's paper packaging segment and recycling capabilities, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable practices and creating more value for shareholders.

For more insights into investor activity, see Exploring Greif, Inc. (GEF) Investor Profile: Who’s Buying and Why?

Greif, Inc. (GEF) Ownership Structure

As of April 2025, the ownership structure of the company reflects a mix of institutional and individual holdings, typical of a publicly traded company. Understanding this structure is crucial for investors seeking insights into the company's governance and potential influences on its strategic decisions. For a deeper dive into who is investing and their motivations, check out Exploring Greif, Inc. (GEF) Investor Profile: Who’s Buying and Why?

Current Status

The company is a publicly traded entity, meaning its shares are available for purchase on a stock exchange. This allows a wide range of investors to own a part of the company.

Ownership Breakdown

The ownership of the company is distributed among various shareholders, including institutional investors, mutual funds, and individual investors. Here is an overview:

Leadership

The leadership team plays a crucial role in guiding the company's strategic direction and operational execution. Key figures include:

• Ole Rosgaard: President and Chief Executive Officer
• Lawrence A. Hilsheimer: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
• Bala V. Sathyamurthy: Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

These individuals, along with other members of the executive team, are responsible for the day-to-day management and long-term planning of the company.

Greif, Inc. (GEF) Mission and Values

Greif, Inc. is dedicated to sustainable industrial packaging and services, striving to be the best-performing customer service company in the world, with a commitment to ethical practices, diversity, sustainability, and continuous improvement.

Greif's Core Purpose

Official mission statement

Greif, Inc.'s mission statement focuses on sustainable industrial packaging and services with a global operational reach.

Vision statement

Greif pursues its vision to be the best-performing customer service company in the world within the industrial packaging sector.

• Aims to achieve $5.3 billion in annual revenue by 2024, focusing on industrial packaging and containerization solutions across multiple continents.

Company slogan/tagline

Greif's tagline, 'We create packaging solutions for life's essentials,' reflects its role in providing essential products and services.

• Service and leadership are at the core of what they do.
• Their global presence provides a platform to do good in the world.

Greif's values are consistent across the globe:

• Ethical: They are trusted to do what is right, guided by their Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
• Strong Through Diversity: They embrace diversity of culture, language, location, and thought, uniting common interests.
• Serious About Sustainability: They honor their history while focusing on the future, using resources wisely. Greif committed to reducing carbon emissions by 25% by 2030.
• Committed to Improvement: They always seek ways to improve their work, products, services, and company.
• Safety First Culture
• Environmental Sustainability
• Operational Excellence
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Innovation and Technology

Greif places importance on protecting, engaging, and developing an inclusive culture, with over 14,000 colleagues across more than 250 facilities in 37 countries.

For more information, you can explore: Mission Statement, Vision, & Core Values of Greif, Inc. (GEF).

Greif, Inc. (GEF) How It Works

Greif, Inc. operates as a global leader in industrial packaging products and services, focusing on producing and managing rigid industrial packaging, flexible products, and services like container life cycle management.

Greif, Inc.'s Product/Service Portfolio

Greif, Inc.'s Operational Framework

Greif operates through a network of manufacturing facilities and service locations globally. The company focuses on:

• Manufacturing and Production: Producing a wide range of industrial packaging solutions using various materials like steel, plastic, paper, and flexible materials.
• Supply Chain Management: Managing the procurement of raw materials and the distribution of finished goods to ensure timely delivery and cost efficiency.
• Customer Service and Support: Providing technical support, custom packaging design, and container management services to meet specific customer needs.
• Sustainability Initiatives: Implementing sustainable practices in manufacturing processes, promoting the use of recycled materials, and managing timberlands responsibly.

Greif, Inc.'s Strategic Advantages

Greif's strategic advantages include:

• Diversified Product Portfolio: Offering a broad range of industrial packaging solutions that cater to various industries and applications.
• Global Footprint: Operating manufacturing facilities and service locations worldwide, allowing the company to serve multinational corporations and local businesses effectively.
• Integrated Business Model: Combining manufacturing, supply chain management, and service capabilities to provide comprehensive solutions to customers.
• Focus on Sustainability: Emphasizing sustainable practices and products, which resonates with environmentally conscious customers and enhances the company's reputation.
• Strong Customer Relationships: Building long-term relationships with key customers by providing reliable products, customized solutions, and value-added services.

Learn more about Greif, Inc. in this related article: Exploring Greif, Inc. (GEF) Investor Profile: Who’s Buying and Why?

Greif, Inc. (GEF) How It Makes Money

Greif, Inc. primarily generates revenue through the production and sale of industrial packaging products and services. These include steel, plastic, fibre, flexible, and corrugated containers, as well as containerboard and related services.

Greif, Inc.'s Revenue Breakdown

Greif, Inc. operates through two main business segments: Rigid Industrial Packaging & Services and Paper Packaging & Services. The revenue streams are derived from the sale of industrial packaging products and containerboard.

Greif, Inc.'s Business Economics

Greif, Inc.'s business economics are influenced by several factors, including the cost of raw materials such as steel, resin, and wood fibers, as well as energy and transportation costs. The company's profitability is also affected by production efficiency, capacity utilization, and pricing strategies. Greif employs various strategies to manage these economic factors:

• Pricing Discipline: Adjusting prices to reflect changes in raw material costs and market conditions.
• Operational Efficiency: Implementing measures to reduce manufacturing costs and improve productivity.
• Strategic Sourcing: Optimizing the procurement of raw materials and components to minimize costs.
• Sustainability Initiatives: Focusing on sustainable practices can lead to long-term cost savings and enhance the company's reputation.

Greif, Inc.'s Financial Performance

Greif's financial performance can be assessed through several key metrics:

• Net Sales: For the fiscal year 2024, Greif reported net sales of approximately $5.6 billion.
• Gross Profit: The gross profit for fiscal year 2024 was around $1.1 billion.
• Operating Income: In fiscal year 2024, the operating income reached approximately $420 million.
• Net Income: The net income attributable to Greif in fiscal year 2024 was about $200 million.
• EBITDA: Adjusted EBITDA for fiscal year 2024 stood at approximately $700 million.

These figures provide insights into Greif's profitability, operational efficiency, and overall financial health. For an in-depth analysis, you can explore further details here: Breaking Down Greif, Inc. (GEF) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors

Greif, Inc. (GEF) Market Position & Future Outlook

Greif, Inc. navigates a competitive landscape while pursuing strategic growth initiatives aimed at enhancing its market position and capitalizing on emerging opportunities. The company's future outlook is shaped by its ability to leverage its core competencies while mitigating potential risks.

Competitive Landscape

Opportunities & Challenges

Industry Position

Greif, Inc. holds a significant position in the industrial packaging sector, characterized by:

• A diverse product portfolio, including steel, plastic, and fiber drums, as well as containerboard and corrugated products.
• A global network of manufacturing facilities and service locations, enabling it to serve a wide range of customers across various industries.
• Commitment to sustainability, with initiatives focused on reducing environmental impact and promoting responsible sourcing.

To delve deeper into the company's guiding principles, explore the Mission Statement, Vision, & Core Values of Greif, Inc. (GEF).

Greif's strategic initiatives are centered on:

• Optimizing its existing operations to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• Investing in new technologies and product development to meet evolving customer needs.
• Pursuing strategic acquisitions to expand its market presence and product offerings.