Who we are: A history in brief. The American Paper & Plastic family began officially in 1979 when Thomas Kuhlman bought the American Paper & Woodenware Company from his longtime employer. Kuhlman worked there 30 plus years in the dual role of deliveryman and salesman. Making his deliveries in the morning, he would bring a suit to change into and make sales calls in the afternoon. This hybrid of se
rvice, sales, and hard work is at the heart of who we are at American Paper & Plastic. His three sons Steve, Dan, and Vince, worked summers in the warehouse, gradually learning the business until they graduated from college. After that they became company men. He sent each of them on sales calls, Vince West to Indianapolis, Steve south to Kentucky, and Dan to the North. Combined their efforts resulted in bringing a local family owned business to a nationwide customer base. We now attend over 15 trade shows a year across the U.S. When Thomas Kuhlman passed in 1992, his sons bought the company from their mother, and began to lead its day to day operations. Since then American Paper has steadily developed in an ever evolving market. At the heart of American Paper is our commitment to our customers. We cannot promise to be the biggest company out there, but we can promise to give each customer the respect and care that a member of the American Paper & Plastic family deserves.
