Silgan Holdings
About Us

Who We Are

The Leading Provider of Metal Packaging Solutions

As the largest provider of metal food packaging in the United States, Silgan Containers is trusted by America’s most respected brands. Our reputation is based on a foundation of quality, excellence and unsurpassed technical expertise, enabling us to be a dedicated solutions-based partner to our customers.

The History of Silgan

1899
Carnation Company (then Pacific Coast Condensed Milk Company) opens its first self-made can operation in Kent, WA.
1901
Union Can Company, Hoopeston, IL, joins American Can Company.
1935
National Can Company established.
1936
Campbell's Soup company begins manufacturing cans.
1941
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1945
Hormel Spam® canned luncheon meat feeds WWII Allied troops.
1953
Del Monte begins manufacturing cans.
1969
Canned Carnation Spreadables® go to the moon on Apollo 11.
1970
Easy-open food beverage ends cans developed by Carnation’s Dayton Reliable Division.
1975
First D&I (Drawn and Ironed) food cans were produced in the USA at the St. Joseph, MO plant.
1979
American Can Company begins commercial sales to Green Giant. That same year, the industry is revolutionized with the introduction of aluminum pet food cans by Carnation (later acquired by Silgan in 1987).
1981
Carnation’s Can Division converts to welded side-seam technology in Menomonee Falls, WI.
1986
American Can and National Can Companies merge to form American National Can Company.
1987
Silgan Containers Corporation was created with the purchase of Carnation’s Can Division.
1988
Silgan Containers acquires Ft. Madison Can Company.
1993
Del Monte’s Metal Container manufacturing division acquired.
Northern Can Systems’ Menomonie, WI manufacturing facility acquired.
1995
American National Can Company food metal and specialty business acquired.
1996
Finger Lakes Packaging Company acquired.
Kraft’s Tarrant aluminum plate processing and Alcoa’s aluminum closure facilities are acquired.
1998
Campbell Soup Company can manufacturing operations acquired.
That same year, the company saw the first launch of Easy-Open ends and converted sanitary ends to Quick Top©.
1999
Can of the Year® award from The Canmaker magazine for the Hormel Spam® 2-piece aluminum container.
2003
Pacific Coast Producers container manufacturing facility acquired.
2011
Nestlé Purina Pet Care Co. steel can assets for pet food products is acquired.
2014
Silgan acquires Van Can Company assets.
2018
Embossed 3-piece welded tinplate can for Pacific Coast Producers earns the Gold Award, Food 3-Piece category from The Canmaker magazine.

Giving Back

We care about the communities we operate in and feel strongly about giving back to them. As part of this commitment, Silgan supports United Way as well as several other charities in our communities.

‘Project Spammy’ Mission Trips to Guatemala
Food Drive Match at Silgan's Ft. Madison and Burlington Plants
We Can Make a Difference
Woodland Hills Support for The Hope of The Valley Rescue Mission
Woodland HIll's School Supply Drive for The Family Rescue Center

Silgan Divisions

The range of our packaging products and services is continually expanding to accommodate the growing needs of our customers. To go directly to a particular segment of our operations, click on the appropriate link below.

Silgan Holdings
Silgan Metal Food Containers - N. America Silgan Metal Packaging - Europe Silgan Plastics Packaging - N. America Silgan Dispensing Systems (Pumps & Sprays) Silgan Closures (Screw Caps & Lids) Silgan Plastic Specialty Packaging (Shaker Tops & Jars)
A woman working on a machine in a factory.

Industry Resources

Staying cutting edge through industry participation.

Silgan Containers is an active participant in industry events and numerous associations supporting metal food packaging. We are continually engaged in scientific, technical and regulatory research that enhance our ability to deliver state-of-the-art packaging solutions. We also support educational initiatives that promote the many benefits of metal packaging.

American Iron and Steel Institute American Society of Quality California League of Food Processors Can Manufacturers Institute Federation of Environmental Technologists The Food Institute Institute of Food Technologists Institute for Thermal Process Specialists Institute for Thermal Process Specialists International Metal Decorating & Packaging Association MRA-The Management Association Manufacturers Alliance Midwest Food Processors Association National Association for Environmental Management New Jersey Food Processors Plastics Industry Association Produce for a Better Health Foundation Shelf Stable Food Processors Association Society of Human Resource Professionals Sustainable Packaging Coalition The Recycling Partnership Steel and Aluminum Can Recycling Impact Calculator

‘Project Spammy’ Mission Trips to Guatemala

We are a strong supporter of Hormel Foods Project SPAMMY®, a shelf-stable poultry product fortified with vitamins and minerals to help prevent childhood malnutrition in Guatemala. Our yearly donation of over 2 million cans of SPAMMY® gets to 10,000 children.

Silgan employees have joined a group from Hormel Foods on trips to Guatemala. We are grateful for the opportunity to experience first-hand Hormel’s ongoing efforts and the overwhelming needs in Guatemala.

Learn more and support this organization HERE.

Food Drive Match at Silgan's Ft. Madison and Burlington Plants

Our staff in Iowa at the Burlington and Fort Madison plants hold charitable matches for a good cause. In 2019 alone, it yielded over a ton of non-perishable food items.

Ft. Madison’s donation went to the Lee County Food Pantry. They received 981 items for a total weight of 1,110 pounds.

Burlington’s donation went to the Des Moines County Food Bank. They received 1,045 items for a total weight of 1,256 pounds.

We Can Make a Difference

The Mendota Heights, MN regional office, collaborated with Habitat for Humanity on a landscaping project in St. Paul on September 14, 2019. Once built, Habitat Homes in this area receive landscaping design and assistance from professionals and volunteers.

A Silgan cross-functional team led by Daniel Popple dug holes, planted flowers, removed sod, laid mulch, weeded, and mowed the lawn. The homeowner, who has five children and works nights, was grateful for her new, low maintenance yard.

Woodland Hills Support for The Hope of The Valley Rescue Mission

The staff at the Corporate Office in Woodland Hills, CA, participates in the annual canned and perishable food drive for the Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission.

In December 2019, twenty employees and their families volunteered to cook and serve a meal to the hungry and homeless at their shelter in Pacoima, CA. Silgan donated the spaghetti on meat sauce, salad, dressing, garlic bread, and drinks to about 80 individuals. Pacific Coast Producers joined us in this effort by donating the pasta sauce and fruit cups.

Learn more and support this organization HERE.

Woodland HIll's School Supply Drive for The Family Rescue Center

It is a tradition amongst the staff at Woodland Hills, CA, to hold an annual school supply drive to benefit the Family Rescue Center. This organization is located in the San Fernando West Valley, and it serves individuals and families in need by providing food, clothing, medical, vocational training assistance, and referrals.

Silgan’s Estefani Ashbrook, Abby Knight, and Dora Sitar filled over 650 filled backpacks grouped by grade and gender in August 2019.

Learn more and support this organization HERE.