As the largest independent manufacturer of 55-gallon steel drums in North America, North Coast Container (NCC) regularly partners with high-volume manufacturers to identify practical, cost-saving opportunities. In this case, a national manufacturing company and long-standing NCC customer was looking to reduce packaging expenses in the face of rising raw material costs.
The customer saw potential in switching to a lighter-weight steel drum. The reduced steel content would lower per-unit costs, creating meaningful savings across their high-volume orders. But there was one challenge: their filling line.
The Challenge: Reduce Steel Usage Without Slowing Production
The manufacturer’s filling equipment was calibrated to a specific tare weight. Any variation in container weight (even small changes) risks disrupting fill accuracy, creating inefficiencies, and causing compliance issues.
This wasn’t just a matter of replacing a steel drum. It was a technical change that required planning, testing, and operational support to avoid delays or added costs elsewhere in the process.
The customer needed a packaging supplier who could offer more than a product – a partner who understood the operational impact and could help implement the change smoothly.
The Solution: A Lighter Drum, Customized Support, and On-Site Coordination
NCC worked closely with the customer’s operations and engineering teams to confirm that the lighter-weight drum would meet performance and safety expectations. Once approved, NCC helped facilitate a structured transition that included:
- Reviewing existing drum specifications and comparing lighter-weight alternatives
- Providing detailed tare weight data for modeling and simulation on the filling line
- Supplying test units to validate the new weight under production conditions
- Coordinating adjustments to filling equipment with on-site technical guidance
- Phasing in the new drum gradually to ensure uninterrupted operations
Rather than treating this as a simple product switch, NCC approached the project with the same level of attention given to new product development, ensuring the customer had the resources and technical clarity they needed every step of the way.
When standard drums aren’t the right fit, NCC offers a range of specialty steel drum options that can be customized to meet specific operational requirements. Our team worked closely with the customer to ensure the lighter-weight option fit seamlessly into their filling process, both technically and logistically.
The Results: Real Cost Savings With No Production Disruption
After completing a successful test run and confirming system compatibility, the customer implemented the lighter-weight drum across their operation. With NCC’s involvement from start to finish, the transition occurred without downtime, disruptions, or fill inconsistencies.
Key outcomes:
- Lower steel usage per drum
- Reduced overall packaging costs
- No need to change equipment or reconfigure operations
- A scalable solution that supports long-term profitability
By managing the operational risks and making the implementation process easy, NCC delivered both immediate value and a long-term improvement to the customer’s supply chain.
“NCC helped us think beyond the drum. They worked with our team to make sure the change actually worked on our line — and it did. It’s been a smooth transition that’s delivering exactly what we hoped for: cost savings without added complexity.”
— Operations Manager, National Manufacturing Customer
NCC’s Approach: Support Beyond the Drum
At North Coast Container, we believe in providing more than a container. Our team works closely with customers to uncover supply chain improvements, reduce inefficiencies, and implement practical solutions, all backed by technical support and responsive service.
Whether it’s solving a packaging issue, helping with line compatibility, or coordinating a seamless product transition, we approach every opportunity to help our customers succeed.
Contact us to explore how we can support your operation
