Made-in-USA Paint Bucket Manufacturers Report
Objective
Identify and profile manufacturers of paint buckets that are made in the United States, focusing on companies with production capabilities for these specific containers used in the paint and coatings industry.
Investigation Approach
The investigation targeted suppliers meeting three key criteria:
- Product Type: Paint buckets (pails for paint storage and distribution)
- Business Type: Manufacturers with production capabilities
- Location: Based and manufacturing in the USA
Key Findings
The search identified 90 total suppliers in the database, but the results revealed a significant challenge: only 1 company perfectly matched all three criteria. The vast majority of paint bucket manufacturers (86%) are located in China, highlighting the concentration of this manufacturing sector in Asia.
The Primary US Manufacturer
The Cary Company stands out as the definitive US-based paint bucket manufacturer:
- Location: Addison, Illinois
- Established: 1895 (129 years in business)
- Size: 201-300 employees
- Annual Revenue: $53 million
- Core Products: Drums, pails, plastic containers, metal containers, and IBC totes
- Certifications: BBB Accredited Business, Thomas Verified
- Services: Manufacturing, wholesaling, distribution, contract manufacturing, custom design, and reconditioning
- Industries Served: Food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, industrial chemicals, construction
The Cary Company operates multiple warehouses strategically located across the United States to optimize product availability and lead times. With over a century of experience in the packaging and container industry, they offer comprehensive solutions from manufacturing to logistics.
Additional US Suppliers (Partial Matches)
Three other US-based companies appeared in the results but serve different niches:
| Company | Location | Focus | Why Not a Perfect Match |
|---|
| Priority Plastics | Portland, Indiana | HDPE/PET containers, tubs, bottles, specialty containers | Manufactures plastic tubs and containers, but not specifically paint buckets |
| Specialty Equipment | Houston, Texas | Pail fillers, drum fillers, packaging machinery | Manufactures equipment that fills paint buckets, not the buckets themselves |
| Custom Pak Products | Germantown, Wisconsin | Aerosol filling, bottle filling, paint pen filling | Contract packager for paint products, not a bucket manufacturer |
Complete Search Results
The table below shows all suppliers identified in the search, sorted by match score. Note the predominance of Chinese manufacturers and the scarcity of US-based options:
Market Observations
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Manufacturing Concentration: The paint bucket manufacturing industry is heavily concentrated in China, with 85 of 90 identified suppliers based there.
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Limited US Options: Only one true US manufacturer of paint buckets was identified, suggesting significant offshoring in this sector.
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Related Industries: Several US companies operate in adjacent spaces (plastic container manufacturing, filling equipment, contract packaging) but don't specifically manufacture paint buckets.
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Product Categories: Paint buckets fall under HS Code 3923 (plastic containers) and 7310 (metal containers), which helped identify relevant suppliers.
Recommendation
For sourcing paint buckets made in the USA, The Cary Company is the primary recommendation. Their long history, comprehensive product range including pails for industrial applications, and established distribution network make them the go-to US manufacturer. However, given the limited domestic manufacturing capacity, businesses may need to consider Chinese manufacturers for larger volumes or specialized designs.