Group O


Group O, Headquartered in Milan, Illinois, is one of the largest Hispanic-owned companies in the U.S. and a provider of managed products and services, specializing in marketing services, print management, business analytics, decision sciences, business process outsourcing, managed services, packaging, supply chain management and third-party logistics. Founded in 1974, Group O has grown to approximately 1,500 employees across 34 U.S. facilities. The company targets a broad range of industries, including: food and beverage, telecommunications, manufacturing, consumer packaged goods, financial services, pharmaceutical, health care, retail and technology. The company's major clients include AT&T, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Caterpillar, Frito-Lay, Kraft Foods, Microsoft, PepsiCo, and Staples.

History

Group O was founded in Milan, Illinois in 1974 by Robert Ontiveros. Bob's initial business, Bi-State Packaging, was started to sell packaging materials and equipment to manufacturers. During the 1970s Bi-State Packaging experienced sales growth, requiring the opening of several warehouses throughout the United States, Mexico and Puerto Rico – making Group O an international business.
In 1979, Group O opened R&O Specialties to provide supply chain solutions to industrial and consumer products companies. R&O Specialties brought a focus on process management and a Six Sigma culture to Group O that permeates the entire company to this day.
In 1990, Group O identified additional opportunities for growth in the area of marketing support services and created Group O Direct. This venture took Group O into customer loyalty and marketing fulfillment programs which required Group O to develop competencies in the areas of: data management, printing, direct mail, promotional campaign management and business process outsourcing.
In 2007, those three separate companies merged under Group O to become the three divisions – Packaging Solutions, Supply Chain Solutions and Marketing Solutions – that make up Group O. In 2008, Group O began offering print procurement and premium managed services to its clients. In 2013, Group O began to promote its Business Analytics offerings as a fourth vertical, aligned closely with its Marketing Solutions division.
In 2012, CEO Gregg Ontiveros was recognized by the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as the HBE Hispanic Businessman of the Year.
In 2013, Chairman Robert Ontiveros was presented with the Order of Lincoln Award, recognized as the state of Illinois' highest honor.
In 2013, Group O presented the first of five Hispanic MBA scholarships to a student attending Notre Dame University, partnering with the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
In a generation, Group O has expanded to an international business with over 1,500 employees and is recognized as one of the largest Hispanic-owned businesses in the U.S.

Awards and Facts