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Uline

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For other uses, see Uline (disambiguation).

Uline Inc
Company typePrivate, family-owned
IndustryIndustrial supplies wholesaling
Founded1980; 45 years ago (1980) in Lake Forest, Illinois
FounderRichard and Elizabeth Uihlein
HeadquartersPleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
Products
RevenueUS$11 billion (2023)
Number of employees
9,392 (2023)
Websitewww.uline.com Edit this at Wikidata

Uline is a private company offering shipping and business supplies throughout North America. Founded in 1980 by conservative megadonors Richard and Elizabeth Uihlein, It has more than 9,000 employees and is headquartered in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin.

History

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Uline was founded in 1980 by Elizabeth "Liz" and Richard "Dick" Uihlein. Richard Uihlein is a descendant of the brewers of Schlitz beer.[1] With start-up funds from his father, Edgar Uihlein, Richard and Elizabeth founded the company from their basement after recognizing a local need for a shipping supply distributor.[2][3] The company's first product was the H-101 carton sizer.[4] Its success enabled the Uihleins to move into a new headquarters in Waukegan, Illinois.[4][5]

Over the 1980s and 1990s, operations began in Minnesota, California and New Jersey.[4] In the 2000s, Uline began operations in Mexico and Canada and opened distribution centers in Illinois, Texas, Georgia, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. The Uline catalog grew to 450 pages, offering over 17,000 products.[4]

In 2008, Uline announced it was constructing a new headquarters in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin. The move was partially motivated by the Uihleins' ties to Wisconsin; Richard Uihlein's family had lived in Milwaukee and founded the Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company, and the couple owns a home and restaurant in Manitowish Waters.[5] Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle expected 1,000 jobs would move to Southeastern Wisconsin, and pledged $6 million to support the move.[5] The 200-acre headquarters opened in the summer of 2010, featuring offices for Uline staff and a 1-million square foot warehouse which supplies products to distribution centers.[6] Due to increasing growth, an expansion consisting of a second office building and warehouse was announced in 2014.[7] Construction began in early 2016[8] and was completed in 2017.[6] The expansion brought about 800 additional jobs to Pleasant Prairie.[8]

In 2019, Uline began considering a second major expansion with two more distribution centers with a combined area of over 1.7 million square feet.[9] The distribution centers would complement two existing Uline distribution centers in Pleasant Prairie.[10]

Company overview

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The company is owned by the Uihlein family and set up as a passthrough corporation.[11] ProPublica stated that as of August 2021, Richard and Elizabeth own a majority of the company.[11] Elizabeth Uihlein serves as president and chief executive officer, her husband Richard Uihlein is chairman of the board of directors.[12] All three of their children are company executives; Duke Uihlein is the Minnesota branch manager, Freddy Goldenberg is the corporate planning manager, and Brian Uihlein is the vice president of merchandising.[13][1][14] Richard Uihlein's brother Steve also serves as a vice president.[12]

The Uline headquarters is located on 200 acres (81 ha) in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin.[1] The headquarters consists of two buildings: a 279,000 square feet (25,900 m2) facility,[1] and a newer (2017) building of about the same size.[8] Plans to begin work on a third building for its corporate campus that would be 325,00 square feet in size where announced in January 2024.[15]

The company was previously headquartered in Waukegan, Illinois, but moved to Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin, in 2010, in return for up to $18.6 million in state incentives.[3]

Operations and marketing

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In 2015, Uline began using hydrogen powered forklifts in its Pleasant Prairie facility and between then and 2024, their use expanded to five other facilities.[16] In 2024, it was announced that they would begin using them in four more facilities.[16]

An important marketing tool for Uline is its product catalog,[12] which has been produced since its founding.[4] Mailed twice a year, the catalog is 800 pages long and advertises over 37,500 products.[4] Uline also relies on extensive online advertising. The company is not believed to have a communications department, and maintains a low profile on social media.[1]

Elizabeth Uihlein frequently includes her writings in the catalog, some of which reflect her political views.[17] Past columns have had topics ranging from "the danger of Chinese competition, the negative health effects of marijuana use and the detriments of the Federal Reserve's low interest rate policy."[18]

The company regularly holds career fairs at its warehouses.[19][20] The company uses workers on H1B and temporary work visas.[21]

In December 2024, The Guardian reported that Uline was bringing in workers from its Mexico warehouses on tourist and occupational training visas to illegally work shifts in the United States in a program known by senior executives including Elizabeth Uihlein.[22] Further reporting by the guardian alleges seeing pay stubs for a Mexican worker who was paid roughly $38 per day, a weekly bonus of about $225, and a daily food allowance.[22]

Reporting by the Guardian alleges that in its warehouses, temporary workers, who are majority Hispanic, have uniforms that are limited to fleece vests as winter attire and are prohibited from wearing hats, gloves, or jackets regardless of temperature, while permanent workers where allowed hats and a fleece jacket.[23]

Elizabeth believes that cannabis "stays in your system for at least 5 days" and that its lingering effects during this period could adversely effect Uline warehouse employees "who go up 30 feet in the air to pick products off the shelves."[24] Uline performs follicle drug testing on its employees.[25]

The company has a conservative dress code, with ties mandatory for men, pantyhose and skirts for women between November and April, and tattoos discouraged.[1][26]

COVID-19 pandemic

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On August 25, 2020, Elizabeth Uihlein and two other Uline executives flew to Toronto on the company's jet to visit a Uline warehouse.[27] At that point in time, border crossings necessitated a two week quarantine period, unless travelers were issued exemptions for engaging in "non-discretionary travel", a designation usually given to truckers and flight crews—Elizabeth and her colleagues where granted such exemptions.[28][18] During their two day visit, it was noted that there where calls to local police over group meetings held by "three Americans" at the company where no one was wearing masks.[28] Bill Blair, Public Safety Minister, called the classification of their travel as nondiscretionary a mistake on the part of border agents acting on information given to them at the border.[18]

In February 2021, The Guardian reported the company had experienced a Covid infection rate of 14% compared to an overall rate of 8.7% in Kenosha County, Wisconsin, where the company is headquartered; multiple employees filed workplace safety complaints with the federal government claiming that the company was exposing them to unnecessary risk.[26]

Operations Statistics

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Reported and Estimated P&L Information
Year Number of employees Reported Reported/estimated

Revenue

Reported/estimated Profit Income reported by Richard and Elizabeth to the IRS
2014 More than 6,000[29] 2 billion[30]
2018 "Nearly a billion dollars"[31] "more than $700 million"[31]
2020 More than 6,700[32] "Over 5.8 Billion"[32]

Corporate philanthropy

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The company donated $3 million to the city of Kenosha, Wisconsin, to help it build housing in 2023.[33] The company operates a scholarship fund for the children of employees pursuing post-secondary education and a scholarship open to the general public.[34]

Uline workers at a warehouse in Pleasant Prairie listen to US Vice President Mike Pence speak on the USMCA free trade agreement in 2019

Political activities

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Elizabeth and Richard Uihlein are major donors to conservative and Republican causes.[35] The company and its employees have also extensively donated to conservative and Republican-affiliated political action committees; they were among the largest contributors to political campaigns during the 2020 election cycle, contributing over $31 million before June 2020.[36]

Prior to the 2024 presidential election, the company sent out a survey to its employees asking who they planned to vote for in the election.[37] Elizabeth Uihlein said that the survey was optional and anonymous.[37]

The company has been known to invite conservative politicians to company facilities to speak with employees.[26][38][39]

Elizabeth Uihlein frequently includes her writings in the company catalog, some of which reflect her political views.[1] Past columns have had topics ranging from "the danger of Chinese competition, the negative health effects of marijuana use and the detriments of the Federal Reserve's low interest rate policy."[40] In March 2025, Elizabeth wrote and published a column in the Uline catalog lamenting the company's higher than desired turnover rate with young employees, whom she refers to as "The Nomads".[41] She identified the cause of this turnover as the Affordable Care Act allowing people to stay on their parent's insurance until the age of 26, Covid stimulus checks, a work-from-home "norm", and parents not teaching children personal responsibility.[41]

Following the news that the Uihleins were a major financial backer for the rally that preceded the January 6 attack on the Capitol, Northwestern University reviewed their contract with Uline at the behest of a university donor.[42][43] Upon conclusion of the review, the university elected to continue their contract with the company.[44]

There has been movement in creative industries to attempt to find alternative suppliers of supplies.[45][46][47][48]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g Saul, Stephanie; Hakim, Danny (June 7, 2018). "The Most Powerful Conservative Couple You've Never Heard Of". The New York Times. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  2. ^ "How this billionaire CEO became the biggest contributor to GOP conservatives". Crain's Chicago Business. September 27, 2013. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Savchuk, Katia. "The Little Known CEO Spending Millions To Elect Far-Right Republicans". Forbes. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Our History". Uline Careers. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  5. ^ a b c Burke, Michael (January 3, 2008). "Uline to move corporate headquarters to new Pleasant Prairie campus". The Journal Times. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  6. ^ a b "About Uline - Corporate Headquarters Warehouse". www.uline.ca. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  7. ^ Cole, David (June 3, 2014). "Uline Announces Plan To Expand Facilities And Workforce". Wisconsin Public Radio. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  8. ^ a b c Daykin, Tom (January 26, 2016). "Uline to begin building offices after getting final local approval". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  9. ^ Flores, Terry (March 29, 2020). "Uline expanding its footprint in Kenosha County". Kenosha News. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  10. ^ Romell, Rick (June 3, 2019). "Uline Inc. plans yet another big warehouse in Kenosha near Amazon fulfillment center". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved November 13, 2020.
  11. ^ a b Faturechi, Justin Elliott, Robert. "Secret IRS Files Reveal How Much the Ultrawealthy Gained by Shaping Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Tax Cut'". ProPublica. Retrieved August 11, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. ^ a b c Thomas, Arthur (February 17, 2020). "'I love product': Liz Uihlein…on running a $5.8 billion family business". BizTimes - Milwaukee Business News. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  13. ^ Staff, BizTimes (December 22, 2014). "Uline". BizTimes - Milwaukee Business News. Retrieved April 4, 2025.
  14. ^ Savchuk, Katia (November 4, 2014). "The Little Known CEO Spending Millions To Elect Far-Right Republicans". Forbes. Retrieved June 3, 2018.
  15. ^ Smart, Ashley (January 12, 2024). "Uline plans to build a third office building, near its Pleasant Prairie HQ campus". BizTimes - Milwaukee Business News. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  16. ^ a b "Uline expands "hydrogen footprint" in bid to cut carbon | DC Velocity". www.dcvelocity.com. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  17. ^ Cite error: The named reference NYT23 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  18. ^ a b c Gatehouse, Jonathon (September 17, 2020). "Border agency made a mistake in issuing U.S. billionaire a quarantine exemption: Blair".
  19. ^ Staff, 2 News Nevada Digital (February 7, 2025). "Uline Warehouse hosts first hiring event of 2025". 2 News Nevada. Retrieved April 6, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ "Uline hiring event; warehouse workers sought, starting pay $29/hour". FOX6 News Milwaukee. January 15, 2024. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  21. ^ Pearson, Jake (October 7, 2019). "While Trump Cracked Down on Immigration, a Republican Megadonor Sued for a Special Visa". ProPublica. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  22. ^ a b Herman, Alice; Kirchgaessner, Stephanie (February 12, 2025). "Uline turned to Mexico to staff warehouses, but paid them a fraction of US workers, sources say". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  23. ^ Cite error: The named reference :92 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  24. ^ Cite error: The named reference :1222 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  25. ^ Kirchgaessner, Stephanie; Herman, Alice (December 20, 2024). "Major Trump donors who complained of immigrant 'invasion' used Mexican workers illegally, sources allege". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  26. ^ a b c Kirchgaessner, Stephanie (February 28, 2021). "Workers at Firm Owned by Top Trump Donors Exposed to Higher COVID Rates". The Guardian. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  27. ^ Cecco, Leyland (September 18, 2020). "Outcry as super-rich Trump donor given permission to avoid Canada quarantine". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  28. ^ a b "U.S. execs reportedly granted quarantine exemption for trip to Canada in August". torontosun. Archived from the original on December 24, 2020. Retrieved March 15, 2025.
  29. ^ Cite error: The named reference NYT22 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  30. ^ Cite error: The named reference :62 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  31. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference :82 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  32. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference :022 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  33. ^ Turpin, Hunter (September 11, 2023). "Uline, city of Kenosha team up on workforce housing". BizTimes - Milwaukee Business News. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  34. ^ Roberts, Andrea Suozzo, Alec Glassford, Ash Ngu, Brandon (May 9, 2013). "Uline Children Of Employees Scholarship Foundation - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. Retrieved March 30, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  35. ^ Severns, Maggie (March 19, 2018). "The biggest Republican megadonor you've never heard of". Politico. Retrieved December 10, 2020.
  36. ^ "Trump Mega-Donor, a Shipping Magnate, Pushes to End a Shutdown". www.bloomberg.com. 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  37. ^ a b Kirchgaessner, Stephanie (November 4, 2024). "Republican mega-donors asked their employees who they will vote for in survey". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  38. ^ "Pence appears at Uline Inc. to tout new trade deal". Journal Sentinel. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  39. ^ Hanson, Randy (December 21, 2011). "UPDATED: Uline groundbreaking brings visit from the governor". Republican Eagle. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  40. ^ Kirchgaessner, Stephanie (April 23, 2020). "'It's overhyped': Trump mega-donor pushes to end Wisconsin's stay-at-home order". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  41. ^ a b "Is Job Hopping A Problem? This CEO Thinks So, But Not Everyone Agrees". News18. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  42. ^ Gorner, Jeremy; Pearson, Rick (July 27, 2022). "Bailey declines to answer hot topic questions". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, IL. p. 7. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
  43. ^ Long, Waverly (February 10, 2021). "NU alum calls for University to end contract with Uline". The Daily Northwestern. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  44. ^ Long, Waverly (March 22, 2021). "NU will continue doing business with Uline". The Daily Northwestern. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  45. ^ Article, Janelle Zara ShareShare This (August 25, 2022). "Why Is It So Hard to Find 'Ethical' Cardboard? A Monopoly in Art-World Shipping Leaves Some Galleries at a Loss". Artnet News. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  46. ^ Corsillo, Liza (July 20, 2022). "How Rachel Comey Broke With Uline". The Strategist. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  47. ^ Magazine, PRINT (December 1, 2020). "Gifts for Designers: Letterpress and LP Brilliance—With a Message". PRINT Magazine. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  48. ^ Simonette, Matt (April 10, 2014). "Comic book publishers sever Uline ties over anti-gay ads". Windy City Times. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
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