Our History
1st Generation
In 1958, Donald Brandt founded Brandt Industries as a one-man tool and dye shop in Skokie, IL. By 1970, the company relocated to Palatine, IL, and expanded into custom injection molding. Donald and his wife, Myra, were the driving forces behind the company’s early success, laying the foundation for the thriving enterprise it is today.
2nd Generation
Growing up immersed in the business, Donald and Myra’s son, Richard Brandt, learned the ropes and eventually stepped into a leadership role. In 1995, he launched Container Accessories as an expansion of Brandt Industries, eager to go beyond custom injection molding by engineering and patenting his own proprietary products. Following Donald’s retirement in 2000, Richard assumed control of the company, and by 2010, he merged Container Accessories with Brandt Industries to form Container International – A Division of Brandt Industries. Approaching its 60th anniversary in the container industry, Rick Brandt remains committed to innovation—adding 3 to 5 presses annually and currently constructing a state-of-the-art facility in Crystal Lake, IL.
3rd Generation
Today, the Brandt legacy is carried forward by Richard’s three children, who all play vital roles at Container International. Nick Brandt, the eldest, serves as Project Manager and leads research and development, having significantly contributed to the design of the new Crystal Lake facility. His sisters, Melissa and Tina, are equally indispensable—Melissa handles accounting, human resources, and serves as Secretary/Treasurer, while Tina oversees customer service and sales. Their deep commitment to innovation and continuous improvement is key to making Container International the leading container brand.
Container International Today
Container International is now the largest manufacturer of plastic PolyLoc™ rings and lids in the drum industry. With 30 injection molding machines and four gasketing machines, our production capabilities range from 75 to 720 tons with shot capacities from 3.5 to 185 ounces. Headquartered in Palatine, IL, and with a new facility underway in Crystal Lake, IL, we are proud to employ over 130 dedicated professionals. With 60 years of expertise in mold making and custom injection molding, we forge partnerships founded on integrity, confidentiality, quality products, and technical innovation. Our products serve a diverse range of industries, including:
- Incineration
- Housewares
- Appliances
- Home-building
- Containers
- Electronics
- And more