ContainerCraft Receives Small Business Award

Brian Archer, as a freshman in college, began working for Burgess Manufacturing in 1969 and after graduating college went into teaching for four years.  Then, in 1975 ContainerCraft was established by their parent company, Burgess Manufacturing and Brian was hired as Manager for ContainerCraft in 1976 and became co-owner in 1979.  The company began with eight employees, and because of increased technology and new machinery they have implemented over the years, they still have eight employees today.

ContainerCraft makes “customized” boxes, crates and pallets that are shipped to customers all over the world.  Customer orders will range anywhere from one pallet to 80,000 pallets and one box to 100 boxes.  They can tailor their product to meet the specific needs of their client and some customers will even have up to 45 different items built for them.  Each year they make around 100 different sizes of boxes and pallets.  The biggest pallet they have ever made is 21-feet and the smallest was 18-inches by 20-inches.  The largest box they have ever made was 30-feet by 15-ft by 15-ft.  It was made for Superior Boiler and built on the truck around the boiler being shipped.   They have had several of their customers for 35-40 years.

After 10 years of being in business, they lost one of their largest clients and then in 2009-2010 were hit by the recession and had to figure out how to expand their client base.  By keeping their prices competitive they were able to not only retain their current customer base but also recruit new customers. They have learned over the years that they can overcome a lot of the challenges with going above and beyond in serving their customers.  At ContainerCraft they listen to what their customers want and deliver it to them the way they requested in a timely manner.

At ContainerCraft they realize that having good employees is the back bone of their business and they offer health and life insurance as well as a simple IRS and paid vacation time.  Their current Foreman has been with the company for 22 years and they have only had two Foremen since the company began

ContainerCraft has been a chamber member since they first day they opened their doors 42 years ago and they said they can still remember the Chamber coming out for the ground-breaking ceremony.  

Thank you for all you do for our community!