Founded over 80 years ago by Elmer White and evidenced by
their motto “Superior Service since 1932” Cincinnati Container has long been
dedicated to providing excellent products and customer service. Hal Taylor, grandfather of current president
Paul Johnson, came on as bookkeeper and eventually purchased the company from
Elmer. Since Paul has taken over the company’s sales have doubled from 12
million to 24 million dollars.
What began as a company that sold and recycled bottles has
turned into a wholesale distributor of rigid packaging offering products made
from glass, plastic, fiber, metal, as well as caps. Ranging in size from drug vials to 50 gallon
drums, Cincinnati Container boasts an extremely diverse product line. Not only do they distribute, they also custom
decorate containers to their customers specifications. The over 119,000 square feet of the main
facility allow the company to offer so many different products.
Cincinnati Container also serves a variety of customers,
supplying clients around the world. Paul
says industrial firms are Cincinnati Container’s niche but other popular
products are food and general chemical containers. The company has sales offices in Columbus and
Indianapolis along with regional offices in Dayton, Lexington, and
Louisville. These multiple offices allow
Cincinnati Container to deliver to an approximately 150 mile radius. For those customers outside of this area,
Cincinnati Container offers reduced freight with parcel shippers such as UPS
and FedEx.
With 42 employees spread across its various offices,
Cincinnati Container maintains a small business environment while continuing to
grow its staff to meet customers’ needs.
All four of Paul’s children have at one time worked at the business and
his wife serves as the Human Resources Manager and Executive Secretary.
Joining NFIB in 1981, Cincinnati Container enjoys the
collective voice their membership in NFIB affords them. “(Membership) in NFIB is being as effective
as we can be” says Paul. “People our size need to get together to be
heard.”
Mr. Johnson says workers’ compensation and healthcare are
the primary problems facing his business.
In the past, the company was able to cover 100% of their employees’
healthcare costs but recently it has only been about 80% due to increasing
costs. Though there are challenges
like these, Paul appreciates the perks only small business owners get to enjoy
like being the only dad at an afternoon school play and getting to work with
his children. He also loves the ability
to take good care of his employees and provide jobs in the community.
You can learn more here: http://www.cincinnaticontainer.com/
