KOBA

What KOBA does

KOBA Corp. is a family-owned wholesale manufacturer of injection-molded plastic horticultural containers, founded in 1966 by Franz J. Bach Sr. and Joe Koelmel and headquartered in Middlesex, New Jersey. The company serves commercial greenhouse and nursery growers (its primary segment) along with retail garden centers, producing a comprehensive SKU portfolio organized into Patio Planters, Grow Pots, Grow Pans, Hanging Baskets, Drip-Proof Pots, Foliage Support Rings, Carry Tray Products, and Market Presentation accessories, with product sizes ranging from 3-inch standard pots to 25-inch Curve Pots. All manufacturing is performed in-house at the New Jersey facility using plastic injection molding, and sales coverage spans the United States and Canada.

The company's technology stack is built around proprietary tooling innovations rather than software. Its flagship Trench Tek Series uses a geometric base design that trains roots to prevent binding, stores water in integrated reservoirs for longer irrigation intervals, and eliminates the need for separate watering discs; this design is applied across Deck Pots, hanging baskets, and Deko Pans. KOBA also operates an in-house 3D prototyping service with a dedicated CAD-capable design engineer who produces physical 3D-printed prototypes for custom container development, and uses recycled plastic for specific products such as the Cut Flower Bucket. A New Jersey-based owned truck fleet handles daily local and regional shipments, supplemented by UPS and common carriers for broader distribution.

KOBA's commercial model is wholesale B2B with quote-based, non-public pricing on a unit-pricing structure. The company layers a five-percent Rolling Early Order Discount for orders placed twelve weeks ahead of delivery onto its terms, with an additional five percent discount for cash or check payment at delivery, supporting cash-flow management and advance scheduling. Customer acquisition combines a six-person direct field sales force covering distinct US territories (Northeast & Mid-Atlantic, Eastern Midwest, Western Midwest, NY & Southeast, Florida, and West Coast) with an extensive distributor network of thirteen channel partners, including national distributors McHutchison and Vaughan's in the United States, A.M.A. Horticulture in Canada, and regional partners such as BFG Supply, Green Island Distributors, Denver Wholesale Florist, and Piedmont Farm & Garden Supply. Trade show presence at TPIE, MANTS, and MAFVC, plus the Container Connection newsletter and Facebook community, support top- and mid-funnel engagement with growers.

Name

KOBA

Legal name

KOBA Corp.

Website

https://kobacorp.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

KOBA is a family-owned wholesale manufacturer founded in 1966 that produces injection-molded plastic horticultural containers—including patio planters, hanging baskets, grow pots, and foliage support rings—for commercial growers and retail garden centers across the United States and Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Horticultural Plastic Containers

NAICS

All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing (326199)

SIC

Miscellaneous Plastics Products (3080)

akta.pro primary industry

Consumer Products Injection Molding (Housewares, Toys, Personal Care) (IMANAFAE)

Keywords

• Horticultural plastic containers
• Injection molded planters
• Wholesale nursery supplies
• Plant support rings
• Greenhouse growing containers

Headquarters

HQ city

Middlesex

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Wholesale Horticultural Plastic Containers: KOBA generates revenue through manufacturing and selling plastic containers to wholesale growers and nurseries. Products include pots, planters, hanging baskets, grow pans, foliage rings, and carry trays. The company operates on a wholesale B2B model with minimum order quantities and color minimums for custom orders. Products range from small 3-inch standard pots to large 25-inch curve pots.
2. Early Order Discount Program: KOBA offers rolling early order discounts of 5% for orders placed 12 weeks ahead of delivery, with additional 5% discount for cash or check payment at time of delivery. This incentivizes advance ordering and improves cash flow management.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

KOBA manufactures and wholesales injection-molded plastic horticultural containers — including patio planters, hanging baskets, grow pots, grow pans, foliage support rings, carry trays, drip-proof pots, and market presentation accessories — to commercial greenhouse growers, nurseries, and retail garden centers across the United States (and Canada via A.M.A. Horticulture). The company operates with minimum order quantities, regional sales representatives, and a network of national distributors. KOBA also offers proprietary Trench Tek base technology and in-house 3D prototyping services for custom container design.

Product overview

KOBA is a wholesale horticultural plastic container manufacturer founded in 1966, offering a comprehensive portfolio of injection-molded plastic products for the horticulture industry. The product line is organized into several categories: Patio Planters (Deck Pot Series, Curve Pot Series, Cornerstone Planter, Earth Pot) for retail and consumer use; Grow Pots (Standard Pots, Azalea Pots) and Grow Pans (Bulb Pan, Deko Pan Series, Oval Planter, Popp'n Go Pan) for propagation and growing; Hanging Baskets (Traditional, Fluted, Trench Tek, Jumbo Classic, Saucerless) in various sizes with optional saucers; Drip Proof Pots (Cover Pots, Cut Flower Bucket); Foliage Rings (Plant Support Rings, Coex Pot Rings, Stake Rings, Cyclone Rings) for plant support; Carry Tray Products (Carry Trays, True Tray) for handling; and Market Presentation accessories (Grab & Tag Handle, Wrap-A-Cage, Trellis). The company also offers a proprietary Trench Tek base design technology featured across multiple product lines, and 3D prototyping services for custom product development. Products range from 3" to 25" in diameter and are made in the USA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Trench Tek Series: Innovative base design featuring trench technology that provides geometric root training, added water reservoirs, excellent drainage, and eliminates the need for watering discs. Applied to Deck Pots, Hanging Baskets, and Deko Pans.
• The Container Connection

Products and services

• Patio Planters Wholesale injection-molded patio planters including the Deck Pot Series (6"–14" with Trench Tek base on 6"–10"), the Curve Series (6"–25" with matte exterior and sturdy rim), Cornerstone Planter (9" square with beveled exterior for annuals, herbs, and succulents), and the Earth Pot (10" with multiple drainage holes and compatible snap-on saucer for perennials and small nursery goods). Used by wholesale growers for annual, perennial, herb, succulent, and nursery production programs and by retail garden centers for consumer plant presentation.
• Grow Pots Injection-molded grow pots including Standard Pots in 3" and 3.5" sizes (for succulent and fairy garden programs) and Azalea Pots in 4"–10" sizes (for annual, mum, and poinsettia programs). Sold wholesale to commercial growers for plant propagation and finishing.
• Grow Pans Wholesale grow pans including the 10" Bulb Pan (matte/glossy stripe design for Easter bulb programs), the Deko Pan Series in 8"–12" sizes (with Trench Tek water-wise base for herb bowls, succulent pans, and pansies), the 12" Oval Planter (with snap-on saucer for herb, succulent, or annual programs), and the Popp'n Go Pan (shallow pan for water plants and landscapers that pops into ground or patio planters).
• Hanging Baskets Hanging baskets in multiple designs: Traditional Hanging Baskets with attached saucers (4.5"–10"), Fluted Hanging Baskets (8"–10" with optional side holes for cascading plants), the 10.5" Trench Tek Hanging Basket (eliminates watering disc and stores water), the 11" Jumbo Classic Hanging Basket (with optional attached saucer and Trench Tek base), and Saucerless Hanging Baskets in 12" and 14" sizes. Designed for indoor plant and hanging basket programs.
• Drip Proof Pots Drip-proof pots including Cover Pots in 4" and 6" sizes (leak-proof pots for hiding unsightly grow pots and protecting retail displays from drainage) and the Cut Flower Bucket (10" sturdy bucket with black matte finish and no drainage holes for storing cut flowers in wholesale or retail settings). Made with recycled plastic.
• Foliage Rings Plant support foliage rings including Plant Support Rings (with bottom clips for attachment to injection molded pots, 4"–14"), Coex Pot Rings (for Coex/Thermo pots, 6"–10"), Stake Rings (for top-heavy or climbing plants, accommodating up to four bamboo stakes), and Cyclone Rings (mum netting replacement for securing bushy plant growth, 8"–16"). KOBA is recognized as the industry leader for foliage support rings.
• Carry Tray Products Carry trays for handling and transporting potted plants, including Carry Trays for circular pots in 3" (12 count) and 5.5" (8 count) sizes made from coex plastic, and the True Tray (10" x 20" injection web flat tray manufactured in America for carrying grow pots).
• Market Presentation Accessories Retail-oriented accessories including the Grab & Tag Handle (snap-on handle compatible with 10" Earth Pot and 12" Curve Pot for easy customer carry and tag attachment), the Wrap-A-Cage (plant support cage for 9" and 10" pots commonly used with Poinsettias, Hydrangeas, and Tomatoes), and a compact Trellis for fairy gardens and climbing indoor plant programs.
• 3D Prototyping Service Custom product design service offering a dedicated product designer with CAD capabilities to create custom container designs, followed by 3D printing to produce physical prototypes for customer validation. Used by wholesale growers seeking custom container or tray solutions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Eliminate watering disc requirement through Trench Tek base design
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, regional and minor.

• McHutchisoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMcHutchison is a national distributor of KOBA products, serving as a key channel partner for reaching growers across the United States. The partnership enables KOBA to extend market reach through McHutchison's extensive sales representative network.
• Vaughan'scoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVaughan's serves as a national distributor for KOBA products, providing coverage across the US through their sales representative network. Growers can find local representatives through Vaughan's to access KOBA containers.
• A.M.A. HorticulturecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorA.M.A. Horticulture is the Canadian distributor for KOBA products, extending KOBA's market presence north of the US border. Contact: (800)338-1136.
• Nolt's Greenhouse SuppliesregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor serving greenhouse growers, providing KOBA products to customers in their service area.
• Fred C. Gloeckner & CompanyregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor of horticultural supplies including KOBA containers, serving growers across their distribution network.
• BFG SupplyregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBFG Supply distributes KOBA products as part of their comprehensive horticultural supply offerings.
• Mize Farm & GardenregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor providing KOBA products to growers in their service territory.
• Denver Wholesale FloristregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWholesale florist distributor serving Rocky Mountain region with KOBA horticulture containers.
• Green Island DistributorsregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor serving the Northeast with KOBA products.
• Piedmont Farm & Garden SupplyregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor serving the Southeast with KOBA horticulture containers.
• Wyatt-Quarles Seed CompanyregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSeed and farm supply company distributing KOBA products in their service region.
• Brehob NurseryregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNursery supply distributor offering KOBA products to commercial growers.
• ACW SupplyregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSupply distributor serving western regions with KOBA horticulture containers.
• Nolts Midwest Produce SupplyregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMidwest regional distributor providing KOBA products to growers in the region.
• Somerset County Vocational Technical High SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKOBA partners with Somerset County VoTech to provide insight into horticulture and agriculture industries for students. KOBA assists in the renewal of Tool Making education, contributing industry expertise to develop next-generation manufacturing skills.
• Future Farmers of America (FFA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKOBA supports FFA by supplying products for student testing and facilitating teaching and testing processes. FFA promotes well-rounded agricultural principles in the next generation of farmers.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• East Jordan Plastics (EJ Plastics): East Jordan Plastics manufactures injection-molded nursery containers and trays for the horticulture industry, serving comparable wholesale grower and nursery customers with overlapping SKU categories to KOBA.
• Summit Plastic Company: Summit Plastic Company is a US-based injection molder specializing in horticultural containers and nursery pots, supplying wholesale growers with overlapping product categories to KOBA.
• ITML Horticultural Products: ITML Horticultural Products manufactures specialty injection-molded and co-extruded containers for growers, with comparable product breadth and focus on the ornamental horticulture market.
• The HC Companies: The HC Companies is a leading North American manufacturer of injection-molded and thermoformed horticultural containers, serving the same nursery and greenhouse grower base as KOBA with comparable pots, planters, and trays.
• Nursery Supplies (NSI): Nursery Supplies historically manufactured a broad range of horticultural containers and nursery pots, serving the same wholesale grower channel as KOBA.
• Airlite Plastics (horticulture division): Airlite Plastics operates horticultural container production including nursery pots and bedding plant containers, competing directly with KOBA in the US wholesale horticulture channel.

Others

• BFG Supply: BFG Supply is one of KOBA's national distribution partners serving commercial greenhouses and nurseries across the US; while not a direct manufacturing peer, BFG's horticultural-supply breadth and customer relationships make it strategically adjacent.

Broad incumbents

• Myers Industries (Lawn & Garden segment): Myers Industries operates a Lawn & Garden segment that produces plastic nursery and horticulture containers, providing KOBA with diversified incumbent competition from a public, multi-segment manufacturer.
• Pöppelmann (TEKU): Pöppelmann's TEKU division is one of the largest global manufacturers of horticultural plastic containers, offering injection-molded pots and trays to growers worldwide and providing KOBA's most significant broad incumbent competitive pressure.

Emerging players

• Bloem Living: Bloem Living is a US-based manufacturer and brand of consumer-facing injection-molded planters and self-watering pots, overlapping with KOBA in patio planters but skewed more toward retail consumer channels.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/KOBAcorp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/koba-corp
• Xx.com/kobacorp

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 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 KOBA