Steel pails with coatings are the unsung heroes of many industrial packaging applications. Durable beyond belief, these solutions can protect stored materials in the toughest conditions, from construction sites to overseas shipping containers. And while steel is already highly compatible with many harsh chemicals and solvents, the addition of a chemical coating can make a steel pail packaging system an unstoppable force in the world of packaging design.
This month, we’re showcasing the critical role these powerful components play in major industries such as paints, coatings, and industrial chemicals, as well as how Pipeline Packaging ensures its customers have a reliable source for their packaging needs.
Same Industry, Different Needs
The paint and coatings industry is one of the more dominant in its utilization of pail packaging systems to store and transport materials. Though these products range in terms of chemical composition, flammability, and overall regulations, customers often settle on the tried-and-true strength of steel pail packaging systems complemented by a coating for added protection.
Jeff Junge spent more than 15 years working in the paints and coatings industry. Today, he leverages his experience to operate as a key account manager for Pipeline Packaging, assisting customers with strategizing and sourcing steel pail packaging and coating systems.
Though Junge helps many customers in similar sectors, he noted that each account brings its own specific needs and considerations.
“One of our paint and coatings customers sources steel pails from Pipeline Packaging as well as directly from our parent company, Cleveland Steel Container (CSC),” he said. “As a distributor, we bring the advantage of flexibility and a network of national and global suppliers to accommodate the customer’s changing needs at any given moment.”
This particular paint and coatings manufacturer offers an extensive portfolio of products, each requiring its own packaging system. Along with supplying steel pail packaging, Pipeline also serves as the primary provider of the customer’s smaller custom solutions lines.
Pipeline leverages other aspects of our distributor advantage to meet this customer’s fluctuating inventory needs. Aside from a vast selection of components and global sourcing capabilities, our flexibility also extends to just-in-time delivery services, giving this customer and others the peace of mind in knowing they will receive their products without the worry of stalling daily operations.
Similar paint and coatings customers have turned to Pipeline for other benefits from our value-added services and flexible pail packaging inventory.
“We work with another paint and coatings manufacturer who primarily operates in aerospace, automotive, and industrial applications,” said Junge. “In this case, the customer has very limited warehouse space, so we extend our warehousing and logistics services to hold and manage excess inventory, as needed.”
Even with versatile and durable components like steel pail packaging, custom engineering services can provide essential finishing details such as coatings and gaskets.
“Our packaging engineering team takes care of the heavy lifting for customers,” said Junge. “We facilitate the investigation, analyze the material safety data sheet, and deliver a final recommendation based on our findings that maximizes safety and minimizes costs.”
Coatings are one of the most popular additions to steel pail packaging. Though unlined steel pails are appropriate in cases without strong materials, specialty coatings can increase the lifespan of steel pails and preserve a product throughout its shipping journey. For instance, epoxy phenolic linings, which appear tan in color, protect steel pails from harsh chemicals and solvents as well as prevent corrosion, making them prevalent in paint and coatings applications.
“Ultimately, we believe our customer relationships are completely collaborative,” said Junge. “While customers assume the responsibility of a secure packaging system, we are always ready to offer our inventory, services, and expertise to help them uphold that commitment.”
Steel Pail Packaging Engineered for the Journey
Regional Sales Manager Paul McCoy has been with Pipeline Packaging for more than three decades. Covering two territories and managing eight sales representatives, he also services packaging needs for several customers.
Among them is a specialty chemical company that develops and manufactures products across a broad spectrum of applications, including lubricant additives, fuel additives, coating resins, polymers, and other advanced materials. The customer partners with Pipeline to provide pail packaging and other secure systems that meet the specific needs of its diverse chemical product lines.
“Though Pipeline fills nearly every category, we supply a considerable amount of steel pails,” said McCoy. “These containers are the most versatile for the customer’s POE oils as well as any new products from its research and development team.”
Though based in the U.S., the chemical manufacturer distributes products on a global scale. The logistics of transporting chemical agents overseas can pose a unique challenge.
“Plenty of these POE agents and other chemicals are transported as far as Asia,” said McCoy. “Given the great distance, the tight-head closure must remain firmly secured to the steel pail packaging system to prevent leaks and spills as well as to prevent any product corrosion or degradation.”
Since these POE agents are transported through shipping containers, they can often sit on docks for extended periods of time before making it to their final destination. As a result, it remains a priority for the customer and Pipeline to maintain steel pail systems that prevent water or salt intrusions, which can deteriorate the stored material.
“We circumvent the issue by sourcing steel pail packaging with an extra varnish coating as well as a chime coat to fortify the bottom,” said McCoy. “Depending on the product, we’ve also added phenolic linings to prevent rust. All in all, these extra layers provide a second line of defense against harsh transportation conditions, securing the integrity of the chemicals and abiding by all international shipping regulations.”
Pair Versatile Packaging with a Full Suite of Value-Added Services
Steel pail packaging is among the most multifunctional solutions, especially when paired with coatings that accommodate certain product needs. Pipeline takes this already adaptable system one step further by lending customers access to our full suite of value-added services.
Our earlier examples hinted at the added benefit of partnering with a comprehensive packaging distributor like Pipeline. In the case of paint and coatings customers, warehousing and logistics, as well as global sourcing and just-in-time delivery, made all the difference in developing efficient and steady supply chains. For others, like the specialty chemical manufacturer, utilizing every available value-added service has solidified a lifelong collaboration with us.
“This customer uses practically every value-added service Pipeline offers,” said McCoy. “Our ability to apply lithograph label designs directly to SKUs, assemble bottle and cap systems in-house, and consolidate suppliers into one seamless pipeline has propelled our partnership for decades, making us essential to daily operations.”
Though we know the wide-ranging benefits of steel pail packaging and coatings, having a nimble and high-performing partner like Pipeline can position your operation for scalable growth. Contact us today to discuss your steel pail strategy and learn the advantages of our value-added services.
