What Silgan Containers does

Silgan Containers is the largest provider of metal food packaging in North America, manufacturing steel food cans, aluminum food cans and trays, and metal can ends for consumer-packaged goods (CPG) manufacturers. Founded in 1987 through the acquisition of Carnation's Can Division, the company has grown through more than a dozen acquisitions including Campbell Soup's can operations (1998), American National Can Company's food metal and specialty business (1995), Pacific Coast Producers (2003), Nestlé Purina's pet food steel can assets (2011), and Van Can Company (2014). It operates over 24 manufacturing facilities across the United States and Puerto Rico, supported by a Business & Technology Center with nine laboratories in Waukesha, WI, and corporate headquarters in Woodland Hills, CA. Core manufacturing capabilities include Drawn and Ironed (D&I) two-piece food cans, welded side-seam technology, and Quick Top Easy-Open ends.

The company generates revenue through an enterprise B2B field sales model, selling directly to major CPG food and pet food manufacturers including Campbell Soup, Hormel Foods, Del Monte, Pacific Coast Producers, and Nestlé Purina via multi-year contracts with negotiated, quote-based pricing tied to volume and specifications. Silgan's value proposition emphasizes product safety, shelf stability, recyclability (100% recyclable without quality loss), and on-site technical support through dedicated customer technical service representatives and Silgan University training programs. The product portfolio has been extended beyond core metal cans into specialty lines including Cocktail Cans for beverage applications and the Steel Chill-Cups™ consumer sub-brand.

Silgan Containers is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Silgan Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: SLGN), a diversified packaging conglomerate operating across metal food packaging, European metal packaging, plastics packaging, dispensing systems, closures, and specialty plastics. As the North American metal food packaging arm of the parent, Silgan Containers focuses exclusively on steel and aluminum can manufacturing for human and pet food applications, with sustainability metrics including a 42.5% reduction in market-based Scopes 1 & 2 GHG emissions versus a 2016 baseline as of 2024.

Name

Silgan Containers

Legal name

Silgan Containers LLC

Website

https://silgancontainers.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Silgan Containers is the largest provider of metal food packaging in North America, manufacturing steel food cans, aluminum food cans and trays, and metal can ends for major consumer-packaged goods and pet food manufacturers through over 24 U.S. facilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Metal Food Packaging Manufacturing

NAICS

Metal Can, Box, and Other Metal Container (Light Gauge) Manufacturing (33243), Metal Can Manufacturing (332431), Other Metal Container Manufacturing (332439)

SIC

Metal Cans (3411)

akta.pro primary industry

Food Cans (Steel/Tinplate) (IMALADAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Metal Can Ends, Lids & Components (Ends, Rings, Tabs) (IMALADAJ)

Keywords

• Metal food cans
• Steel food cans
• Aluminum food cans
• Metal food packaging
• Can manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Woodland Hills

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices29 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Metal Food Can Manufacturing and Sales: Silgan Containers generates revenue through the manufacture and sale of metal food containers (steel and aluminum cans and trays) to consumer-packaged goods (CPG) manufacturers. The company produces metal cans for various food applications including vegetables, fruits, beans, legumes, meat, fish, soups, and prepared foods. Revenue is generated through long-term supply relationships with major food brands.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Silgan Containers manufactures and sells metal food cans (steel and aluminum), can ends, and trays primarily to consumer-packaged goods (CPG) food manufacturers across North America. The company operates over 24 manufacturing facilities in the United States and produces packaging for vegetables, fruits, beans, legumes, meat, fish, soups, prepared foods, pet food, and specialty applications such as cocktail cans. Silgan also offers complementary lines including Steel Chill-Cups and new product development services for metal packaging.

Product overview

Silgan Containers offers a portfolio of metal food packaging products centered on metal cans and ends. The core offerings include Steel Food Cans, Aluminum Food Cans and trays, and Metal Can Ends, all manufactured at over two dozen facilities across the United States. Supporting products include Steel Chill-Cups™ (recyclable steel party cups) and Cocktail Cans. The company also provides new product development and technology services for metal containers, incorporating consumer research to drive innovation in packaging effectiveness and sustainability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Metal Food Cans Steel food cans and aluminum food cans and trays used for packaging vegetables, fruits, beans, legumes, meat, fish, soups, and prepared foods. Manufactured for America's major consumer-packaged goods brands.
• Metal Can Ends Ends for metal food packaging including Quick Tops, Easy Open ends, Stay on Tab, Sanitary Ends, Foil End Quick Peel, Peelable Clear Film End Retort, and Specialty Quick Tops.
• Steel Chill-Cups Recyclable steel party cups designed as a sustainable alternative to disposable plastic cups.
• Cocktail Cans Specialty aluminum cans designed for cocktail and beverage packaging applications.
• New Product Development and Technology Services Comprehensive metal food packaging development process incorporating consumer research to deliver innovative packaging solutions focused on packaging effectiveness and sustainability.

Quantifiable outcome

• 42.5% reduction in market-based Scopes 1&2 GHG emissions vs 2016 (as of 2024)
• +11 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Michigan State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with MSU's nationally leading packaging program. Silgan connects with students at career fairs to recruit future talent. Representatives include Chrissy Huevler and Sara Alexander (Talent Acquisition), and Steve Manne (Director, Package Development & Innovation).
• University of Wisconsin-StoutcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with one of the oldest packaging programs in the country, renowned for award-winning designs. Silgan connects with students through career fairs. Representatives include Alex Stephan (Package Development Engineer), Chrissy Huelver (Talent Acquisition), and Kyle Lannon (Menomonie Plant HR Manager).
• University of Wisconsin-PlattevillecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with university known for outstanding engineering talent. Silgan fosters next generation of leaders in engineering and technology. Representatives include Alexis Juno (Talent Acquisition) and David Revers (Lead Design Engineer).
• Hormel Foods (Project Spammy)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership for Project SPAMMY - shelf-stable poultry product fortified with vitamins and minerals to prevent childhood malnutrition in Guatemala. Silgan donates over 2 million cans annually, reaching 10,000 children. Employees participate in mission trips.
• Pacific Coast ProducersflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership resulting in award-winning embossed 3-piece welded tinplate can (Gold Award 2018, The Canmaker Magazine). Silgan acquired Pacific Coast Producers container manufacturing facility in 2003.
• Can Manufacturers InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive member and participant in industry events supporting metal food packaging. Promotes sustainability benefits of metal cans and recycling.
• DOE Better Plants ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVoluntary program to identify energy reduction projects. All locations audited and remaining projects reviewed for implementation.
• The Recycling PartnershipminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry organization focused on improving recycling rates and infrastructure.
• Steel and Aluminum Can Recycling Impact CalculatorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry tool to demonstrate environmental benefits and recycling impact of metal cans.
• Ford County, IL Wind Farm (Virtual Power Purchase Agreement)coreOthers135 MW-capacity wind farm financed through virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA). Allows Silgan to achieve renewable energy and GHG reduction targets. 76,789 RECs retired in 2024.
• Habitat for HumanityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployee volunteer program collaborating on landscaping projects for Habitat homes. Example: September 2019 project in St. Paul, MN.
• Hope of The Valley Rescue MissionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual canned and perishable food drive partnership. December 2019: 20 employees and families cooked and served meals to 80 homeless individuals at shelter in Pacoima, CA.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Crown Holdings: Global metal packaging giant with significant North American food can operations. Directly competes with Silgan in steel and aluminum food cans for CPG customers and shares the same B2B direct-sales model with major food manufacturers.
• Ardagh Metal Packaging: NYSE-listed pure-play metal beverage and food can manufacturer created from Ardagh Group's metal packaging spin-off. Most direct head-to-head competitor in North American food cans with overlapping customer base among major CPG brands.
• Can-Pack Group: Polish-headquartered global metal packaging manufacturer with North American food and beverage can operations. Direct competitor serving similar CPG customers with comparable steel and aluminum can product lines.

Broad incumbents

• Ball Corporation: Major global metal packaging manufacturer known for beverage cans but also serving food and aerosol markets. Larger and more diversified than Silgan Containers but operates adjacent product categories with overlapping CPG customers.
• Sonoco Products: NYSE-listed diversified global packaging company serving food, beverage, and consumer goods markets. Competes in metal cans and broader food packaging; larger portfolio across substrates (metal, paper, plastic, flexible).

Emerging players

• Mauser Packaging Solutions: Industrial packaging manufacturer with significant metal container operations (steel pails, drums, IBCs). Adjacent metal packaging competitor with overlap in heavy-gauge metal containers and food-grade applications.
• Trivium Packaging: Global metal packaging company specializing in food cans, aerosols, and specialty containers. Operates North American facilities and competes for CPG food manufacturer customers with overlapping product portfolio.

Regional players

• Envases Universales: Latin American metal packaging manufacturer with growing North American footprint. Comparable product line (food cans, ends, aerosol cans) but primarily serves Central/South American CPG customers.
• Hokkan Holdings: Japanese metal can manufacturer serving food and beverage customers in Asia. Comparable steel and aluminum can manufacturing capabilities but focused on Japanese market; provides global benchmark for metal food can technology.

Others

• Sealed Air Corporation: NYSE-listed packaging company specializing in protective and food packaging. Competes indirectly through alternative substrate offerings (films, trays) that substitute for metal cans in select food applications.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/silgancareers
• Facebookfacebook.com/silgancontainersllc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Silgan Containers