Company Profile
Eco Latch Systems LLC, founded in 2010 by brothers Jack and Jim Wilson in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, designs and manufactures Box Latch™ reusable clips that close and secure corrugated boxes without tape, staples, or damage. Their innovation extends the life of cardboard boxes, helping companies reduce waste and improve sustainability. The company’s ingenuity recently earned them a nomination in Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce’s “Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin” contest.
Situation
Cardboard boxes are the backbone of global logistics—but they’re also a major source of waste. Most boxes are used once and discarded. The Wilsons set out to change that pattern, combining Jack’s lifelong passion for conservation and Jim’s background as a veterinarian and attorney to build a company centered on reuse and resource efficiency. Despite strong early traction, the company faced a common challenge for many small Wisconsin manufacturers: how to confidently enter international markets and compete globally. They had the product and the mission, but not the roadmap.
Solutions
Eco Latch Systems enrolled in ExporTech, a nationally recognized export accelerator that helps manufacturers build a custom export plan in just 12 weeks. Conducted by WMEP with support from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), the program combines expert coaching and practical tools to guide companies into global markets with confidence. For Eco Latch Systems, ExporTech provided both the structure and the spark to act—connecting them to export resources, international partners, and a clear plan for expansion.
Results
- $250,000 in sales from a breakthrough European customer over several years
- Entry into multiple international markets with strong sustainability legislation
- Increased confidence and capability in exporting and global business development
- Sharpened market messaging capturing the company’s unique product and value proposition for global audiences
Without ExporTech, we wouldn’t have had the guts to do it. It gave us the confidence to look beyond our borders.
– Jim Wilson, Co-Founder, Chief Executive & Export Officer, Eco Systems LLC