Containers Unlimited

What Containers Unlimited does

Containers Unlimited is an industrial packaging manufacturer, distributor, and reconditioner supplying rigid container solutions to business-to-business customers. The company offers plastic containers, glass containers, metal containers, drums, IBC totes, paint cans, and related industrial packaging products spanning more than 17 product categories. Its service portfolio includes custom container design, bottle manufacturing, logistics, sourcing, warehousing, drum reconditioning, container disposal, and fluorination, which is a specialized surface treatment for chemical compatibility.

The business model combines one-time product sales with service revenue from reconditioning, disposal, and specialty treatments such as fluorination. The company operates a network of six facility locations across California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Indiana, enabling regional distribution and container turnaround for industrial buyers. Containers Unlimited is now positioned as the packaging division of The Cary Company following acquisition, with Mike McGuire serving as Team Leader overseeing operations within the broader parent organization.

The go-to-market is sales-led, relying on direct phone and email outreach to procurement and operations teams at manufacturers, chemical processors, food and beverage producers, pharmaceutical companies, and other industrial buyers. Customers span multiple end markets rather than concentrating in a single vertical, and the integrated warehouse network supports both one-way container distribution and reverse-logistics for reconditioning and disposal.

Name

Containers Unlimited

Legal name

Containers Unlimited

Website

https://containersunlimited.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Containers Unlimited is an industrial packaging distributor and container reconditioner serving B2B buyers across manufacturing, chemical, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and beverage verticals through a six-facility US warehouse network, operating as a division of The Cary Company.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Packaging Distribution

NAICS

Metal Service Centers and Other Metal Merchant Wholesalers (423510), Metal Can Manufacturing (332431), Glass Container Manufacturing (327213), Other Metal Container Manufacturing (332439)

SIC

Metal Shipping Barrels, Drums, Kegs & Pails (3412), Metal Cans (3411), Glass Containers (3221)

akta.pro primary industry

Bulk Liners & Container Liners (Dry Bulk Liners) (IMALAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wide-Mouth & Storage Glass Packaging (Canisters, Utility Jars) (IMALAEAI), Spouts, Fitments & Pouring Closures (IMALALAH), Rigid Plastic Containers (Bottles, Jars, Jugs) Manufacturing (IMANAEAA)

Keywords

• Industrial packaging distribution
• Container manufacturing
• Drum reconditioning
• IBC totes supply
• Closures and caps

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Container and Packaging Products Sales: Containers Unlimited generates revenue through the sale of industrial containers including pails, drums, IBC totes, plastic containers, glass containers, metal containers, paint cans, caps, closures, and related accessories. The company also provides ancillary services including drum and tote disposal, reconditioning services, and fluorination barrier treatment.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Containers Unlimited distributes and reconditions industrial packaging containers — including 55-gallon drums, IBC totes, pails, paint cans, plastic/glass/metal bottles, jars, jugs, caps, and closures — for manufacturing, chemical, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and general industrial buyers. In addition to container sales, it operates a drum and tote reconditioning center, provides fluorination barrier treatment, and offers design, custom bottle manufacturing, logistics, product sourcing, and warehousing services through multiple U.S. facilities.

Product overview

Containers Unlimited, a division of The Cary Company, is a packaging and container distribution business offering an extensive portfolio of products organized into multiple categories: plastic containers (bottles, jars, jugs, tubs), glass containers (bottles, jars, vials), metal containers (cans, pails, drums), paint cans, caps and closures, pails and buckets, drums and barrels, IBC totes and bins, tools and equipment, flexible packaging, industrial filtration, spill control and containment, temperature control and heaters, material handling, safety supplies, shipping supplies, and brewery/winemaking supplies. Beyond product distribution, Containers Unlimited provides value-added services including design services, bottle design and manufacturing, logistics, product sourcing, warehousing (with facilities in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Utah, Indiana, and California), drum and tote disposal, reconditioning services, and fluorination barrier treatment. The company operates as a traditional e-commerce distributor without AI capabilities, APIs, or software integrations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Plastic Containers
• Glass Containers
• Metal Containers
• Paint Cans
• Caps & Closures
• Pails & Buckets
• Drums & Barrels
• IBC Totes & Bins
• Tools & Equipment
• Flexible Packaging
• Industrial Filtration
• Spill Control & Containment
• Temperature Control & Heaters
• Material Handling
• Safety Supplies
• Shipping Supplies
• Brewery & Winemaking Supplies
• Design Services
• Bottle Design & Manufacturing

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• The Cary CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContainers Unlimited has merged with The Cary Company to combine teams and operations. Mike McGuire and his team have joined as employees of The Cary Company. The partnership expands product selection to include plastic, glass, and metal packaging solutions, filtration products, spill control solutions, and facility supplies. The merged entity operates under The Cary Company brand with Containers Unlimited as a division.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• TricorBraun: Major rigid packaging distributor with extensive plastic, glass, and metal container lines plus design and global sourcing capabilities. Direct competitor in industrial and consumer container distribution.
• Uline: Large industrial supply distributor with broad container, packaging, and shipping supplies catalog. Competes on e-commerce convenience and breadth across pails, drums, IBCs, and material handling.
• Grainger: Major industrial MRO distributor carrying drums, pails, material handling, and safety supplies. Comparable B2B distribution model and customer base across industrial facilities.
• Berlin Packaging: Largest rigid packaging distributor in North America, supplying bottles, jars, cans, and closures across plastic, glass, and metal. Comparable multi-material industrial packaging offering with broader global scale and design services.

Direct peers

• Mauser Packaging Solutions: Global manufacturer and reconditioner of industrial drums, IBC totes, and intermediate bulk containers. Directly comparable on metal/plastic drums, IBC totes, reconditioning services, and fluorination.
• Industrial Container Services: US-based supplier of new and reconditioned steel and plastic drums, IBC totes, and pails. Closely comparable product mix and reconditioning service offering.
• Skolnik Industries: Manufacturer and distributor of steel drums, salvage drums, and stainless steel containers for industrial and hazardous materials. Overlaps on drums, overpacks, and HazMat packaging.
• The Cary Company: Parent company and direct operator of the same product lines since the acquisition. Overlaps completely on industrial packaging distribution, with broader product breadth and a larger national warehouse footprint.

Emerging players

• PakSource Global: B2B industrial packaging distributor offering drums, pails, IBCs, and specialty containers with custom sourcing. Comparable mid-sized distribution model with focused industrial customer base.

Regional players

• Schütz Container Systems: Global IBC tote manufacturer with US operations. Comparable IBC tote and intermediate bulk container line, competing more on the manufacturing side than distribution.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Containers Unlimited