A Look Inside Questar: Who We Are and What We Do

Executive Summary

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Unified North American Distribution
In October 2025, NAIP integrated U.S. Questar operations with Mauser’s Canadian distribution businesses to form one Questar‑branded group, strengthening our North American network and market presence.
A Trusted, Growing Business
Questar has evolved into a leading provider of general line industrial containers, with strong, sustained growth demonstrating significant opportunity in the distribution market.
Broad Warehouse Network and Flexible Delivery
With 18 warehouses (and two more planned) totaling over 450,000 sq. ft., Questar provides just-in-time service, mixed-product LTL and truckload shipments, and shorter lead times—extending Mauser’s ability to meet diverse customer needs.
Multi‑Supplier Portfolio That Expands Solutions
Partnering with 146+ suppliers, Questar offers the full Mauser product line plus complementary items, enabling customers to consolidate multiple product types into a single order.
Improved Customer Experience and Future Growth
The integration boosts supply chain strength, purchasing power, and process efficiency while advancing digital capabilities. Combining U.S. and Canadian expertise positions Mauser for continued distribution growth and an enhanced customer experience.

In October 2025, the North American Industrial Packaging business unit (NAIP) integrated U.S-based Questar distribution operations with Mauser’s Canadian distribution business (Great Western Containers/Jos LeBel). Operating together under the Questar brand, the unified distribution group strengths Mauser’s North American distribution capacity.

But what is Questar and how does this brand fit into the Mauser portfolio and strategy?

Founded in 1990 by Chuck Ostrout and Kevin Kaufman, Questar began as a supplier of absorbent pads and rugs to steel mills. The company was acquired in 2015 by Industrial Container Services, one of the legacy businesses that later formed Mauser Packaging Solutions in 2018. Today, Questar has grown far beyond its origins and is a leading provider of general line industrial containers.

Headquartered in North Canton, Ohio, and following the integration with the Canadian distribution, Questar supports its operations through an extensive warehouse network of 18 locations, with two additional U.S. sites planned, totaling more than 450,000 square feet of warehouse space. Warehouses operate on a single shift and are set up to offer Just-in-Time (JIT) service to customers with the ability to mix items on a less than truckload (LTL) or full truckload shipment.

Questar Locations

Rendering of recently opened new North Canton, Ohio headquarter location.

Rendering of warehouse in the recently opened new North Canton, Ohio headquarters

Partnering with more than 146 suppliers, including Mauser Packaging Solutions, Questar provides a wide range of products encompassing the full Mauser product line as well as additional products such as UN and non-UN boxes, screw top pails, salvage drums, overpack drums, absorbents, spill containment, poly woven bags (flexible IBCs), HDPE bottles, closures, fittings, and valves. This breadth allows customers to source multiple product types from multiple manufacturers in a single order.

Key customers include environmental services and hazardous waste industry with growing positions in construction, paint coating and inks, agriculture, industrial chemical, industrial cleaners, and batteries.

Questar gives Mauser the flexibility to serve customers who need mixed‑product orders, shorter lead times, and multi‑supplier sourcing—needs that fall outside the traditional full‑truckload manufacturing model. With access to multiple suppliers and warehouse locations, Questar can ship mixed items in LTL or full truckloads and provide fast, just‑in‑time delivery, complementing and expanding Mauser’s overall capabilities.

In the past two years, Questar relaunched its website to include e-commerce purchasing and a B2B buyer portal, offering 24/7 access to products, orders, data, and delivery information. Questar strives to be a strategic partner with all their customers and works closely with them to deliver best in class experiences online and through our dedicated customer teams.

The integration the U.S-based Questar distribution operations with Mauser’s Canadian distribution business, and internal reorganization, will benefit both groups through strengthened supply chains, increased purchasing power, and streamlined processes and systems – including eventual expansion of the e-commerce buying option and B2B buyer portal to Canadian distribution. “This is an exciting time as we combine the strong qualities of legacy Questar with the outstanding quality and service record of the Mauser Distribution group in Canada,” commented Rob Spencer, Senior Vice President/General Manager – Questar USA. By combining the strengths and expertise of the individual sales, customer service, and purchasing teams, Mauser expects continued growth in the distribution space and an even better experience for our customers.

By the numbers...

33 months since last Lost Time Incident (safety)
Consistent 99% OTIF
85% satisfaction in customer surveys with Direct Options (“World Class” status)

Over the past decade, Questar has achieved significant, sustained growth, demonstrating the strong potential within the distribution market. This strategic integration further positions Mauser for continued expansion in the distribution market while delivering even greater value to our customers.

Visit the Questar website to learn more.