OUR FOUNDER

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Eric grew up with a “plastic spoon in his mouth,” beginning his career at just 12 years old in his stepfather and uncle’s plastic cutlery and straw business, Winkler/Flexible. That early hands-on exposure to the packaging world laid the foundation for a lifelong career in innovative packaging and foodservice solutions.

In 1981, after Winkler/Flexible was sold to Coca-Cola, Eric became the disposables buyer for S.E. Rykoff, the premier foodservice distributor of its time. There, he was mentored by industry legend Dexter Parriott, further cementing his expertise in the field.

In 1983, Eric co-founded WinCup, a joint venture with Bellaplast. As the first U.S. thermoformer to thermoform PETE cups and containers in-line, WinCup served warehouse clubs, foodservice distributors, and supermarkets. Eric led startup operations, plant management, cost control, production, sales, and marketing. He became the first cup supplier to Costco and Price Club, pioneering packaging solutions for the burgeoning club store segment.

After selling WinCup to Scott Paper in 1987, Eric took on national responsibility at Scott for its foodservice disposables division—including plastic and foam cups, napkins, healthcare products, and Hoffmaster party goods. He was part of the three-person team that launched a $700 million sales category within the club store channel, leveraging WinCup’s innovative model.

In 1990, alongside his stepfather Paul and uncle Moe, Eric co-founded Winkler Forming (WFI), a thermoformer of PETE containers for bakery, confectionery, fresh foods, and paint sundries. They grew the company into a leading player before selling it a few years later.

Eric’s next two ventures launched simultaneously:

- He and his family founded Paul Winkler Plastics (PWP), which became a leading thermoforming company later acquired by Pactiv.

- At the same time, Eric partnered with a former VP of Sweetheart Cup to launch West Pac Sales, a manufacturers’ rep firm specializing in foodservice disposables and packaging. West Pac grew into a $175 million brokerage servicing top-tier clients in agriculture, food, medical, HABA, bakery, beverage, and retail sectors—driven by consistent double-digit growth and deep packaging expertise.

These ventures positioned Eric as a trusted authority on packaging across multiple advanced technologies and industries—including foodservice, food processing, agriculture, beverage, bakery, medical, health and beauty aids, and industrial markets.

In 2002, Eric co-founded Packaging Resources with the former President of Scott Paper. The firm provides packaging solutions for HABA, electronics, medical, retail, and foodservice operators and their co-packers—translating consumer needs into packaging requirements and partnering with leading manufacturers to deliver best-in-class materials and performance. Packaging Resources has earned recognition for its ability to uncover and implement performance improvements across the supply chain.

Eric has been a  Board Member of the Institute of Packaging Professionals and an active member of several trade associations. He continues to consult for many of the world’s top retailers and multiple industry brands and has received numerous accolades for his contributions packaging.

Outside of packaging, Eric has long had a passion for design and space planning. He founded U.S. Restaurant Consultants in 1989 and US Delivery Consultants in 2017. 

He also brings his packaging design mindset to residential and commercial real estate, designing, remodeling, and building homes and spaces he calls the “ultimate package.”

Outside of work, Eric has spent a lifetime serving his communities as a City Commissioner and as a former or current board member of many non-profits including the American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, his local Police Department, Police Activities League, YMCA, SHARE, his local Parks Foundation, Crossroads Community Foundation/PS Arts, Institute of Packaging Professionals, UCLA Alumni Association, RAND Policy Circle, National Restaurant Association, Virginia Avenue Park, Pier Restoration Corporation, Padres El Cancer, PTA, and more.

In 2010, Eric was honored to be nominated by his hometown community and selected from thousands of submitted national applicants to be awarded the National Humanitarian of the Year Congressional Award sponsored by the SBCA. He was presented the award in a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol on May 5, 2010 by John Lewis and several other prominent Congresspersons.