Calpine Containers

What Calpine Containers does

Calpine Containers, Inc. is a full-service packaging solutions provider serving the fresh produce industry across the Western United States and Northwest Mexico. Founded in 1895 as California Box and Lumber and headquartered in Clovis, California, the company operates 12 strategically located facilities spanning California's Central Valley and coastal growing regions, southern Arizona (Nogales, Rio Rico), and Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. It is privately held, has been owned by private equity firm Rainier Partners since 2021, and traces a corporate history that includes an ESOP transition in 2018 and the 2021 acquisition of JS Ag.

The company distributes a broad portfolio of packaging products — corrugated fiber boxes, plastic and poly bags, extruded plastic packaging, plastic clamshells, sustainable packaging options (recycled cartons, recycled plastic, RPCs, zero-waste/compostable), bulk and unitizing materials, consumer packaged goods, and inner packing/shipping supplies — complemented by service offerings including 3PL warehousing and distribution, on-site machinery assembly, finance, service and repair, structural package design, and product consulting. Its customer base consists of enterprise agricultural producers and shippers (e.g., Giumarra, Oppy, Pandol, Turlock Fruit, Prime Time Produce, Divine Flavor) handling commodities such as table grapes, stone fruit, berries, melons, avocados, asparagus, cherries, dates, and tree nuts across California, Arizona, and Northwest Mexico.

Calpine generates revenue primarily through one-time sales of physical packaging products, supplemented by managed-service fees for warehousing and 3PL logistics and professional services for machinery support and package design. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is structured around customized quotes tied to volume and specification. The company sells exclusively through a direct, field-based sales model supported by expert sales advisors at each regional facility, with go-to-market further reinforced by trade association memberships (California Fresh Fruit Association, Western Growers, Western Pallet Association, Nature's Packaging), a downloadable product catalog, email marketing, and a LinkedIn corporate presence.

Name

Calpine Containers

Legal name

Calpine Containers, Inc.

Website

https://calpinecontainers.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1895

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Calpine Containers is a full-service packaging distributor serving enterprise fresh produce growers and shippers across the Western U.S. and Mexico through 12 regional facilities offering packaging products, 3PL warehousing, machinery support, and package design services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Packaging

NAICS

Corrugated and Solid Fiber Box Manufacturing (322211), Plastics Bag and Pouch Manufacturing (326111), Plastics Packaging Film and Sheet (including Laminated) Manufacturing (326112), All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing (326199), Other Paperboard Container Manufacturing (322219)

SIC

Paperboard Containers & Boxes (2650), Plastics Products, Nec (3089), Miscellaneous Plastics Products (3080)

akta.pro primary industry

Corrugated Packaging & Boxes (RSC, die-cut, bulk bins) (IMAMAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Foodservice/To-Go Packaging (Cups, Clamshells, Cutlery) (IMALAHAM), Rigid Food Containers (Cups, Trays, Clamshells) (IMALAAAD), Food Storage Containers (Disposable & Reusable) (CRAJAGAF), Flexible Plastic Packaging (Bags, Pouches, Sachets) Manufacturing (IMANAEAC), Rigid Plastic Containers (Bottles, Jars, Jugs) Manufacturing (IMANAEAA)

Keywords

• Fresh produce packaging
• Corrugated fiber boxes
• Agricultural packaging solutions
• 3PL warehouse services
• Sustainable packaging materials

Headquarters

HQ city

Clovis

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices12 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Packaging Products: Sale of packaging materials including corrugated fiber boxes, plastic bags, extruded plastic, clamshells, sustainable options, bulk containers, and consumer packaging
2. Warehousing & Logistics Services: 3PL services, distribution chain organization, rework, combine, palletize, trucking and transport, inventory control, local storage or surge facilities, covered and open storage
3. Machinery Support Services: On-site assembly machining, finance, service and repair for equipment
4. Package Design Services: Structural design services, custom package creation, artwork review and support, labels and labeling application

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Calpine Containers manufactures and distributes a full line of packaging products for the fresh produce industry, including corrugated fiber boxes, plastic and poly bags, extruded plastic packaging, plastic clamshells, sustainable packaging, bulk and unitizing products, consumer packaged goods, and inner packing/shipping materials. The company complements these physical products with 3PL warehousing and delivery, structural package design, on-site machinery assembly/service/repair, and product consulting services, delivering a single-source solution from 12 facilities across California, Arizona, and Mexico.

Product overview

Calpine Containers is a full-service packaging solutions provider for the fresh produce industry, offering a comprehensive portfolio of packaging products and services. The product portfolio includes eight core packaging product categories: Corrugated Fiber Boxes, Plastic & Poly Bags, Extruded Plastic Packaging, Plastic Clamshells, Sustainable Packaging Options, Bulk & Unitizing, Consumer Packaged Goods, and Inner Packing/Unitization & Shipping. These are complemented by four service offerings: Warehouse & Delivery Services (3PL), Package Design Services, Machinery Support Services, and Product Consulting Services. Together, these products and services form an integrated single-source solution for packaging, machining, warehousing, and distribution serving the fresh produce and food packaging industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Corrugated Fiber Boxes Full product range of corrugated fiber boxes with specialty solutions, recyclable materials, and machine programs for fresh produce packaging customers.
• Plastic and Poly Bags Variety of bag materials including laminated pouch bags with recyclable options and special barrier options for produce packaging customers.
• Extruded Plastic Packaging Styrofoam replacement packaging option suitable for high-moisture and hydrocooling applications, providing long-term storage capabilities for fresh produce customers.
• Plastic Clamshells High-visibility plastic clamshell containers offering product protection and consumer convenience for fresh produce customers.
• Sustainable Packaging Options Eco-friendly packaging solutions including recycled cartons, recycled plastic products, RPCs, and zero waste/compostable options for produce customers.
• Bulk and Unitizing Packaging Bulk packaging including wood and plastic pallets, orchard bins, specialty bins, and on-site pallet make-up services for produce customers.
• Consumer Packaged Goods Packaging Consumer-ready packaging including point-of-sale displays and specialty gift boxes with high customization for produce customers.
• Inner Packing, Unitization and Shipping Supplies Shipping supplies including product separators, bundling, pallets, straps, wraps, films, corner boards, bands, car strips, airbags, dunnage, and certified treated wood pallets for produce customers.
• Warehouse and Delivery Services 3PL services including organization of client distribution chains, rework, combine, palletize, trucking and transport, inventory control, local storage or surge facilities, and covered and open storage for fresh produce customers.
• Package Design Services Structural design services, custom package creation, artwork review and support, and labels and labeling application for fresh produce customers.
• Machinery Support Services On-site assembly machining, finance, service, and repair for packaging equipment used by fresh produce customers.
• Product Consulting Services Product recommendations, product sourcing, packaging consultation, and full life cycle support for fresh produce customers.

Named customers20 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• JS AgcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Calpine Containers acquired JS Ag in 2022, expanding their operational capabilities and market presence in the agricultural packaging sector.
• California Fresh Fruit AssociationminorOthersTrade association membership providing industry networking and advocacy support for fresh fruit producers.
• Western GrowersminorOthersTrade association membership supporting fresh produce growers and shippers in the western United States.
• Western Pallet Association (WPA)minorOthersTrade association membership related to pallet manufacturing and standards in the western region.
• Nature's PackagingminorOthersTrade association membership promoting sustainable packaging solutions in the produce industry.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Novolex: Major North American paper and flexible packaging manufacturer serving foodservice and food-retail markets with corrugated, poly bags, and sustainable formats. Comparable to Calpine's diversified packaging categories and food/fresh-produce end markets, at national scale.
• Pactiv Evergreen: Large foodservice and food-retail packaging producer specializing in plastic clamshells, trays, and consumer packaging. Overlaps with Calpine's plastic clamshell and consumer packaged goods SKUs and produce/food end customers, but operates as a national manufacturer.
• Sonoco Products Company: Diversified global packaging manufacturer with strong positions in paperboard, plastic clamshells, and sustainable produce packaging. Comparable overlap with Calpine's clamshell, corrugated, and fresh-produce exposure, but at much larger scale via owned manufacturing.
• Pratt Industries (Pratt Corrugated Holdings): Large privately held US corrugated packaging producer and converter with national footprint. Comparable to Calpine because it serves fresh-produce shippers with corrugated boxes and integrated supply, though at far larger scale and with owned mills rather than distribution-only model.
• Berry Global (now part of Amcor): Global plastic packaging producer with significant presence in flexible films, poly bags, and rigid containers. Comparable to Calpine's poly bag, clamshell, and extruded-plastic categories for produce applications, though Amcor/Berry is a manufacturer rather than regional distributor.

Direct peers

• Rand-Whitney Group: Privately held regional corrugated and specialty packaging converter serving agriculture, food, and consumer goods in the Eastern US. Comparable mid-market corrugated and integrated packaging-distribution profile, though operating in a different US geography.
• Hood Packaging Corporation: Specialty producer of woven polypropylene bags and flexible packaging for produce (citrus, potatoes, onions) and agricultural applications. Directly comparable product overlap with Calpine's poly bag and bulk unitizing categories serving produce shippers.
• Cascade Pacific Packaging / Pacific Paper Packaging: Regional Pacific Northwest corrugated and specialty packaging distributor with produce and agricultural customers. Comparable mid-market packaging-distribution business model and produce customer focus to Calpine, with overlapping West Coast geographies.

Emerging players

• Vanguard Packaging: Regional custom packaging and design provider with structural design, display, and corrugated capabilities serving produce and CPG customers. Comparable integrated packaging-plus-design offering for mid-market shippers, though smaller scale than Calpine.

Regional players

• Central Valley Packaging (Central Box): Western-US based corrugated and produce packaging converter serving California's Central Valley growers. Closest geographic peer to Calpine, with overlapping produce customer base and similar corrugated/poly product mix, but with manufacturing rather than distribution model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/calpine-containers-inc-

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A1 record

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Calpine Containers