Company history
From a two-truck transport team to a multi-state reconditioning hub for used IBC totes.
Our journey began with a simple observation: thousands of perfectly good IBC containers were being discarded after a single use. What started as a transport service to move these containers between buyers and recyclers evolved into a comprehensive reconditioning operation that now processes over 15,000 IBCs annually.
Our journey through the years
The beginning
Founded with two trucks and a clear mission: help manufacturers dispose of surplus IBC containers responsibly. Our founders saw an opportunity in connecting companies with excess containers to recyclers and buyers who could put them back to use.
- Started with 2 trucks and 3 employees
- Initial focus on pickup and transport services only
- Served 12 customers in the first year
- Processed approximately 800 IBCs annually
First facility
Leased our first warehouse facility—a modest 8,000 square foot space that allowed us to stage containers and perform basic sorting. This was our first step toward becoming more than a transport company.
- 8,000 sq ft warehouse facility acquired
- Began basic sorting and grading operations
- Added third truck to the fleet
- Customer base grew to 35 accounts
Basic cleaning services
Customer requests for cleaned containers led us to install our first wash system—a manual operation that could handle about 20 IBCs per day. This service immediately found demand among food and chemical manufacturers.
- Installed first manual wash station
- Capacity: 20 IBCs per day
- Hired first dedicated wash technician
- Began offering food-grade cleaning options
Expanding reach
Word spread about our services. We expanded transport coverage to neighboring states and began building relationships with larger manufacturers who needed consistent pickup schedules.
- Extended service area to 5 states
- Fleet expanded to 6 vehicles
- Processed over 2,500 IBCs annually
- Established first recurring pickup contracts
Professional wash line
A major investment: our first automated wash line capable of processing 50+ containers daily. This transformed our capacity and allowed us to offer consistent, documented cleaning with proper temperature and pressure controls.
- Installed automated wash system
- Processing capacity increased to 50+ IBCs/day
- Introduced formal wash documentation
- Added water treatment and recovery systems
Repair capabilities added
Opened our first dedicated repair bay. Instead of sending damaged containers for recycling, we could now replace valves, straighten cages, and swap pallets—extending the usable life of containers that were previously scrapped.
- Established 4-station repair bay
- Began stocking replacement parts inventory
- Hired certified repair technicians
- Container recovery rate increased 40%
Digital tracking system
Implemented our first digital tracking system. Every container received a unique ID, allowing us to track its journey through inspection, cleaning, repair, and delivery. Customers could now access documentation instantly.
- Launched container tracking software
- Unique ID tagging for every IBC
- Digital wash certificates introduced
- Customer portal for documentation access
Facility expansion
Outgrew our original facility and moved to a 45,000 square foot space. The larger facility allowed separate areas for receiving, cleaning, repair, and storage—improving efficiency and reducing cross-contamination risks.
- Relocated to 45,000 sq ft facility
- Separate zones for each operation
- Added second wash line
- Processing exceeded 8,000 IBCs annually
Food-grade certification
Achieved formal food-grade cleaning certification after extensive process validation. This opened doors to food and beverage manufacturers who required documented compliance for their packaging suppliers.
- Completed food-grade certification process
- Dedicated food-grade wash line installed
- Allergen control protocols implemented
- First pharmaceutical customer onboarded
Recycling operations
Built out our in-house recycling capability. End-of-life containers could now be dismantled on-site, with materials sorted and processed for certified downstream recyclers. This completed our closed-loop model.
- On-site recycling center established
- HDPE shredding and baling equipment
- Steel cage processing capability
- Certified recycling partner network
Current facility
Moved to our current 85,000 square foot facility in Joliet, Illinois. Purpose-built for IBC reconditioning with optimized workflow, climate-controlled storage, and capacity for continued growth.
- 85,000 sq ft purpose-designed facility
- Climate-controlled clean storage
- 8 repair stations operational
- Processing capacity: 200+ IBCs daily
Technology upgrade
Major investment in automation and tracking technology. New wash systems with automated chemical dosing, enhanced inspection equipment, and improved inventory management software.
- Third-generation wash system installed
- Automated chemical dosing and monitoring
- Enhanced quality inspection tools
- Real-time inventory tracking
Regional expansion
Extended our service coverage significantly with strategic partnerships and dedicated routes. Now serving customers across 12 states with reliable pickup and delivery schedules.
- Service area expanded to 12 states
- Fleet grew to 15 vehicles
- Partnership network established
- Next-day pickup available in major metros
Sustainability milestones
Crossed significant sustainability benchmarks: over 2,400 tons of plastic diverted from landfills annually, 95% wash water recovery, and third-party verified environmental reporting.
- 2,400+ tons plastic diverted annually
- 95% wash water recovery achieved
- Third-party environmental audit completed
- Carbon footprint reporting initiated
Today and beyond
With 45+ team members, 500+ active accounts, and processing capacity exceeding 15,000 IBCs annually, we continue to grow. Current investments focus on expanding capacity, enhancing automation, and developing new services for specialized industries.
- 45+ team members
- 500+ active customer accounts
- 15,000+ IBCs processed annually
- Continued investment in capacity and technology
Key milestones at a glance
2011
Company founded with 2 trucks and a mission to reduce IBC waste
2013
First wash services offered, responding to customer demand
2015
Automated wash line installed, 10x capacity increase
2016
Repair bay opens, extending container lifecycles
2019
Food-grade certification achieved
2020
On-site recycling completes closed-loop model
2021
Current 85,000 sq ft facility opened
2025
15,000+ IBCs processed annually with 500+ customers
Our growth in numbers
What we've learned along the way
Quality over quantity
Early on, we learned that rushing through containers to increase throughput led to quality issues and customer complaints. We slowed down, invested in proper processes, and built a reputation for consistency. Volume followed naturally.
Documentation matters
Our first food industry customer taught us that verbal assurances weren't enough. They needed documented proof of cleaning processes. This pushed us to formalize our tracking and certification systems, which became a competitive advantage.
Invest in people
Our best equipment is only as good as the people operating it. Investing in training, safety, and fair compensation has given us a stable workforce with deep expertise. Many of our team members have been with us for 5+ years.
Listen to customers
Most of our service expansions came from customer requests. Repair services, recycling, food-grade certification—all were added because customers asked. Staying responsive to market needs has driven our growth more than any strategic plan.
Sustainability sells
What began as an environmental mission has become a business driver. More companies are required to report on sustainability, and using reconditioned containers instead of new ones helps them meet goals. Our environmental focus attracts like-minded customers.
Technology enables scale
Manual processes work for small operations but break down at scale. Each technology investment—tracking software, automated wash systems, inventory management—removed a bottleneck and enabled the next phase of growth.
Looking ahead
Our growth continues. Current initiatives include expanding service coverage to additional states, adding specialized cleaning capabilities for pharmaceutical applications, and increasing our recycling throughput.
We're also investing in sustainability improvements—reducing energy consumption, increasing water recovery rates, and working toward carbon-neutral operations.
Join our story
Whether you're a manufacturer looking for reliable container supply, a company with surplus IBCs to sell, or a professional interested in joining our team, we'd like to hear from you.