High Demand for Containers Prompts HC Companies’ Investment in Supply Chain

HC Companies reports it has had “unprecedented demand” for its products the last few growing seasons as a direct result of “the home-gardening revival.”

“From our suburban neighborhoods to urban metropolises, more and more individuals realize the countless benefits gardening provides,” HC Companies President and CEO Bob Mayer said. Headquartered in Twinsburg, Ohio, the company has production facilities throughout North America.

HC Companies reports that seasonal demand for plants and products is outpacing the available supply, compounded by challenges with overburdened shipping schedules and material sourcing. Horticultural growers often have a narrow window for cultivation and rely on containers to increase their inventory.

HC Companies announced a number of investments to improve its supply chain. More than $20 million in new equipment and injection, blow mold, and thermoform manufacturing technologies to increase capacity while decreasing delivery times over the next two years.

Additional staffing resources are being added at all manufacturing facilities to increase production rates and ship containers to customers faster. It is expanding its workforce by offering more competitive salaries and attractive benefit plans.

HC is also investing in branding innovations for containers of all shapes and sizes. As the demand for more sustainable alternatives increases at garden centers and big box stores,

HC invested in and launched its BioPax growing containers made from sustainably sourced wood pulp. The containers promote less waste while offering optimized end-of-life without compromising strength and performance.

“We feel it is our responsibility to our customers to invest in solutions to help improve our manufacturing, and ultimately our supply chain, to get growing containers into the hands of growers and gardeners as quickly as possible,” Mayer said.

Above are shown 3- and 4.5-inch BioPax growing containers.