From the Early Years to Present Day
1920-
Top Flight, then Atlas Paper Box Company, supplies paper boxes to the hosiery mills in and around their plant in Chattanooga, TN. Several years later, the company begins to manufacture school tablets.
1930/1940-
More printing presses and paper cutters are purchased to increase the company’s business in school supplies. In 1939, Top Flight begins selling school tablets, wirebound notebooks, and filler paper to retailers.
1950/1960-
Based on growing success, Top Flight builds production capacity in order to service business and retail customers throughout the eastern United States. In 1956, Atlas purchases Nashville-based Top Flight Paper Company, which specialized in the production of notebooks, filler paper, tablets, and other paper-based school supplies. During this time, the company also purchases German equipment which it then used to showcase cutting-edge technology to other American producers. In 1958, the company begins producing envelopes.
1970/1980-
While establishing recognition as a school and office supplier, Top Flight acquires assets from Alabama-based paper converter Cosmos. Top Flight also begins to enter the college bookstore market. In 1988, the company officially becomes Top Flight, Inc. In 1989, the company begins producing imprinted items for college bookstores.
1990-
Top Flight more than doubles its revenue and production capacity and expands its warehouse facilities and factory. The company also ends the production of paper boxes at this time. In 1990, the company buys its first item for resale from China. In 1991, Top Flight aids in military operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm by supplying writing tablets and envelopes to military forces.
2000-
Top Flight updates its equipment once again, most notably purchasing a unique machine that simultaneously produces spiral bound and twin wire notebooks; the company also designs an envelope packaging machine to double envelope output. The company begins to implement trend research in product development, traveling to Asia and Europe in order to uncover design, color, and material trends. In 2009, Top Flight’s 2be line is the #1 selling fashion item at a top 3 U.S. general merchandise retailer.
2010 to present-
Top Flight continues to be a predominant force in the school and office arena. In 2014, the company ends the production of commercial envelopes.