Manufacturing

• General Description
• Equipment Description
• Environmental Safety
• FDA Compliance and Kosher Status
• Plant Maintenance and Calibration

General Description

The high tech facility forms the foundation of North Coast Container Corp.'s superior manufacturing process. Since its inception in 1983, North Coast has continually invested in new technology to deliver the highest quality steel drum in the industry.

The manufacturing facility, located in Cleveland, Ohio, occupies 120,000 square feet under one roof. Since the company was founded in 1983, the plant has undergone regular modernization to achieve two strategic goals: equipment redundancy and technology innovation. By maintaining multiple forming lines, North Coast assures customers of uninterrupted service. The equipment redundancy also supports our quality policy and preventative maintenance best practices.

Equipment Description

The installation of a Stamco (www.gen-world.com) high-speed cut-to-length line equipped with slitter was completed in 1997. Following in 1998, an Atlanta Grotnes (www.grotnes.com) complete hydraulic vertical forming line was installed. The new forming line has the additional capability to expand and work harden the steel used in production. Expanding and work hardening allows us to use a thinner millimeter decimal thickness steel that is cost effective without compromising quality. The new forming line enables North Coast to offer regular and "W" style hoops along with the ISO "containerizable" full open head drum.

The success of the new forming line was followed by the addition of a third in-line seamer. The addition of the high speed seamer to the production line enhanced the consistency and integrity of the seven ply seam.

Two 250-ton blanking presses are in operation to manufacture open-head container covers, tight-head container heads, and container bottoms. A metal stamping press (www.toledopress.com) which features a quick-change die set accomplishes regulatory embossing requirements. Multiple state-of-the-art fitting presses with versatile quick-change conversion automatically insert customer specified fittings.

State-of-the-art heated airless painting systems from Kremlin (www.ekremlin.com) enable the plant to apply various interior linings and exterior color. A variety of linings are able to be applied: rust inhibitors, phenolic, epoxy phenolic, and modified-phenolic. Virtually any color or combination of colors can be applied to the drum exterior. Silk screening is also available for branding and labeling requirements.

Environmental Safety

Attention to environmental compliance is practiced throughout the plant. Working in concert with the Ohio and Federal EPA, we continue to incorporate safe manufacturing processes. Rigorous testing throughout the plant ensures safety for our employees, neighbors and the environment.

FDA Compliance and Kosher Status

North Coast manufactures drum specifications that are FDA (www.fda.gov) compliant for steel shipping containers. These FDA and USP (www.usp.org) grade "white room" drums employ various interior lining specifications: rust inhibitors, phenolic, epoxy phenolic, and/or modified phenolic which make them safe for food and pharmaceutical use. As part of our documented Quality Policy, the linings are continually tested for proper cure & compliance.

All materials used in the manufacture of steel drums by North Coast also conform to orthodox dietary restrictions imposed by many religious groups.

Plant Maintenance/Calibration

Incorporated into our Quality Policy, North Coast maintains a regular preventative maintenance and calibration schedule. Our dedicated maintenance crew is "on-the-job" at all times. During manufacturing shifts, we are testing to make sure drums are manufactured to meet customer specification and governmental regulations. Regular preventative maintenance protects the plant equipment and assures reliability and continuity of supply. North Coast's best practices showcase our commitment to being the long term industry leader.