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Our History

A Maryland Can Company


Founded in 1929, Independent Can Company is a world leader in the manufacturing of specialty metal packaging and metal lithography. Privately held and managed by its principals, we are an American manufacturer with a long history of success that has brought us to the technological forefront in can making. Our growth, both internally and through acquisition, has allowed us to bring new capabilities and products to market. We have highly trained and experienced solution providers in those markets. This growth has been achieved without adding layers of bureaucracy that impede responsiveness. We are the industry leader in capability and capacity due to our continuous investments for the benefit of our customers.

Independent Can Company founded

1929

Joint venture with a Michigan can company to manufacture cans for frozen fruit. As a result, a can plant was built in Ft. Madison, Iowa for the production of cans for the packaging of minerals.

1970s

Acquisition of Quaker Can for the manufacturing of cans for welding electrodes.

1980s

Acquisition of Western Specialty Container, a packaging distribution company near Los Angeles.

1980s

Move from Baltimore to a 17 acre campus in Belcamp, Maryland. Today, it houses 370,000 square feet of manufacturing, printing, office and warehouse facilities.

1985

First stock decorative line of products offered.

1988

Metal lithography introduced.

1990

First shaped decorative tin produced.

1993

First drawn seamless tin produced.

1996

Independent Can celebrates its 75th anniversary.

2004

State of the art 6-color Metal Star 2 press begins operation

2004

Acquisition of Crawford Container located in Conneaut, Ohio.

2006

Acquisition of Bertels Can Company located in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

2007

New state of the art facility in Ft. Madison, Iowa.

2008

Independent Can celebrates its 80th anniversary.

2009

Purchase and installation of Naroska sheet-fed press.

2009

Installation of UV trail coater on 6 color press.

2010

Purchase of new high-speed, energy-efficient coating line.

2011

Addition of two new can lines.

2011

Installation of latest prepress software allowing for the fastest and most accurate art & plate development available.

2011

Installation of state-of-the-art welded fluid can line.

2012

Purchase of new Vandalia, Ohio facility.

2013

Installation of second Naroska sheet-fed press for closures.

2013

Vandalia, Ohio plant began operation in July as second printing facility.

2014

Independent Can celebrates its 85th anniversary.

2014

Manufacturing added to Vandalia facility.

2015

Acquisition of Ball Steeltin Specialty Can Division.

2016

Relocation of Distribution Division to Tolleson, Arizona.

2016

Introduction of Digital Printing Options.

2017

Expanded line of stock seamless tins.

2018

Vandalia, Ohio facility SQF certified.

2018

Belcamp and Baltimore, Maryland facilities SQF certified.

2018

Fort Madison, Iowa facility SQF certified.

2019

Independent Can celebrates its 90th anniversary.

2019

Nine-color Metal Star 3 Printing Line

2022

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