Ingram's May 2024

Tension’s Linear Dispensing Unit (LDU) is a high-volume automated prescription packaging system for unit of use, or prepackaged, items.

Building Quality Across Industries and Through Generations

Our Roots

The iconic Tension Envelopes sign has been part of the Kansas City sky line for more than six decades. While the quality of that sign has brightened our built environment for decades, it is the quality of Tension’s people and products that has kept Tension thriv ing for 138 years.

strategy has provided the foundation for growth and quality products and ser vices to our customers, and the ability to deliver the highest-quality products and services to our customers,” says Bill Berkley, Chairman and CEO. Tension’s impact goes beyond envelopes, as Bill explains. “We pro duce much more than envelopes. Our products, from envelopes and printed products, to ecommerce packaging and the filling of prescriptions, help support our everyday lives.” Today, Tension has three divisions: the Envelope & Print division produces sophisticated mailpieces that include not only the envelopes but also the printed products that go inside them. The Pack aging & Automation division builds and designs sophisticated automated sys tems for the ecommerce and pharmacy industries. The International division, with facilities in Taiwan and China, serves regional customers throughout Asia. In addition to the two manufactur ing locations in overseas, Tension has nine production locations in the US. All divisions share the same vision, which is to bring our customers high-quality products and innovative solutions through collaboration and ingenuity.

How does a company that had “Envelopes” in its name for so many years now have a portfolio that spans industries? To answer that, we can look back at the spirit embedded in Tension’s early years. Founder William J Berkowitz, a creative entrepre neur, saw the prospect to expand his novelties business and become the only envelope manufacturer west of the Mississippi. He quickly capitalized on that opportunity and with his sons, Walter and E.B., he grew the business significantly. Bert Berkley, grandson of William J and father of Bill Berkley, became president of Tension in 1962. Under his leadership, the company continued to grow steadily, adding more operat ing facilities and developing new and improved products and processes. “We continued to do things that were different,” Bert Berkley said. “We were awarded patents, and made the first photo envelopes, an example of one of the many patents issued to Tension.” Today, Tension has more patents than all the other envelope manufacturers combined. At the time Bert was president of the company, his cousin Dick, who was Walter’s son, became secretary and

“We make it a priority to hire talent ed, customer-focused Associates. This

Address: 819 E 19th Street, Kansas City, MO

Phone: 800.388.5122

Website: www.tension.com

Product or Service: Envelopes, printed products, pharmacy & e-commerce automation

No. of Employees: 865 globally

Head of Company: Bill Berkley, CEO and Chairman of the Board

Year Founded: 1886