PLANTING OUR ROOTS: 1899-1969
Sometimes that mark feels larger than life: about as big as a football field, in one person’s case. That person was the highly respected Peter Leroy (P.L.) McCall.
With a name so firmly ingrained in our minds and a brand so firmly established with our global partners, it’s hard to imagine a time when we weren’t called Sonoco.
And yet…
From 1899 until 1923, we were The Southern Novelty Company, founded with an initial capitalization of just $6,000. Before that, we were briefly the Carolina Fiber Company.
It may not seem like a giant leap to get from The Southern Novelty Company to Sonoco, but it took courage and foresight to make the change in 1923.
Nearly five years removed from World War I, the world was dramatically more globalized, and Sonoco was pushing to diversify our product offerings. In a rebranding move that was ahead of its time, CEO Charles W. Coker made the decision to take the first two letters from Southern Novelty Company and merge them together, forming the new word Sonoco.
Though there’s no documented reason for his decision, Charles expanded outside of the U.S. in that same year. By entering into a joint venture in Romiley, England, Sonoco expanded the production of Sonoco-like tubes overseas. It’s clear that he was trying to modernize the company and prepare it for the future.
Sonoco gained momentum in the 1920s with this new international partnership. Our new name, a name that rolls off the tongue to this day, gave a renewed sense of purpose after an unprecedented worldwide war.
The evolution of the Sonoco name is a direct reflection of our journey from southern pine trees to a global brand. In the 1880s, just about any textile firm in the Carolinas might have claimed “Carolina Fiber Company.” While “The Southern Novelty Company” might have spoken to our offerings in the early part of the 20th century, a business bent on global impact and highly diversified production needed to expand.
As a name, Sonoco paid tribute to our legacy while introducing a modern flair. Today, this iconic brand carries with it a reputation for world-class operations, products and partnerships with some of the most recognizable brands across the globe.