“If it’s plastic, we can do it!” – Michael Giannelli, Chairman, Founder and CEO
The Cortina Companies is a privately held, multi-brand and contract manufacturer. We’re located in the upper Midwest and Canada with a combined 450,000 square feet of state-of-the-art manufacturing and distribution facilities strategically located and ISO Certified. Leveraging our core competencies in thermoplastic injection molding, extrusion and blow molding, The Cortina Companies designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of products for the Safety, Lawn & Garden, Heavy Duty Truck, Lighting, Industrial, and Consumer markets for North America and Europe.
Our History
Founded in Chicago in 1969, on the Westside of Chicago, The Cortina Companies has grown both organically and through a series of strategic acquisitions. From our founding as a mold maker serving the injection molding industry, we have evolved into a multi-faceted organization serving leading brands across multiple markets. Today, we not only provide full service custom molding but also manufacture North America’s leading brand of Safety and Delineation products, as well the highest quality mobility products.
1969
Founded by Michael Giannelli and Rick Sassmannshausen as a Mold Builder.
1975
Acquired the first Injection molding machines and entered into the custom molding industry.
1979
Formed Circle Caster Engineering with Jeffrey and Udelle Solomon. Introducing PolyO, the industry’s first all plastic caster wheel.
1984
Purchased Rupert Manufacturing and entered into the safety industry.
1989
Purchased new facility in Franklin Park to support expansion and growth.
1990
Introduced PLASTX one of the industries first all plastic barricades.
1995
Opened Dedicated Molding facility for Lens Grade Molding.
2005
Founded CCI Canada, a wholly owned subsidiary, to better serve the Canadian market.
2006
Purchased Gleason OEM Caster to expand Circle Caster product offering.
2010
Introduced Robotic In-Mold Labeling to capabilities.
2013
Cortina purchases Kimberly Clark Jackson Safety Workzone business.
2019
Celebrating Our 50th Anniversary.
Our Vision
“If it’s plastic we can do it!” Michael Giannelli, Chairman, CEO and Founder continues to instill this driving principle into everything we do.
As a privately held, Midwest based American manufacturer, The Cortina Companies is committed to being the preeminent supplier to the industries we serve by providing our customers quality products at a superior value on-time, every time. Through continuous improvement and growth we provide an environment for superior customer satisfaction and employee involvement and betterment, never compromising integrity.
Our centrally located campus, totaling nearly one quarter million square feet, houses; manufacturing, assembly and distribution allowing us to control every step of the process while facilitating distribution throughout the NAFTA market.