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ABOUT US
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HISTORY |
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Founded in 1964 by St. Louis entrepreneur Lester Miller, Contico began its life as an importer and distributor of sanitary maintenance products and equipment. In 1969, expansion into the manufacturing of plastic and metal products, also destined for the sanitary maintenance market, began. For over four decades, products have continually been added to this line. Today our Commercial Products Division sells more than 600 SKUs, through a network of over 6,000 distributors, in the institutional commercial cleaning market.
Contico entered the world of consumer products in the mid-70s, beginning with the custom molding of waste receptacles and exterior window shutters for Sears. Within a few years, our line of consumer products expanded as we developed proprietary Hardware, Houseware, and Lawn & Garden products. Initially, our consumer products were sold through traditional department stores, as well as regional and national hardware chains. As product lines broadened, so did sales! Distribution began in other channels, including mass merchandisers, discounters, and warehouse clubs. In 1974, Contico’s operations expanded into the U.K. What began as an assembly and distribution center, eventually expanded into another manufacturing facility.
In the mid-80s, with the acquisition of John’s International, a manufacturer of metal truck boxes, and the introduction of plastic automotive storage products, distribution expanded to include the automotive supply market. In response to the needs of our customers, we further expanded our product offering by developing a line of plastic hand held toolboxes and bins.
In other parts of the company, expansion continued as the industrial container market was entered. In 1990, collapsible containers and bins were introduced into this market. Commercial paint pails and buckets were also added, to expand the line.
Although operated as a privately held company for several years, in 1969 the company went public, but only remained so for a short time. In 1980, officers of the company repurchased outstanding public shares and Contico was once again privately held. Through 1998, Lester Miller held a major ownership stake, and continued to serve as our Chairman of the Board. In January of 1999, Contico became a limited liability company, when Katy Industries purchased it, and was renamed Contico International L.L.C. In June 2003, the company’s name was again changed to Continental Commercial Products, L.L.C.
Currently, we continue to grow our product offering, and now supply products to the Automotive, Consumer Cleaning, Hardware, Housewares, Military & Law Enforcement, and Sporting Goods markets. In addition to developing new and innovative products, we continue to invest in our manufacturing and distribution operations so that we can better serve our customers in this new century.
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THROUGH THE YEARS IN BRIEF |
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1964 - Contico is founded by St. Louis entrepreneur, Lester Miller
1969 - Manufacturing begins for both plastic and metal consumer products
1969 - Contico becomes a publicly traded company. Revenues are approximately $6 million
1973 - Manufacturing of trigger sprayers begins in response to consumer shift away from aerosol spray cans
1974 - Contico establishes distribution and assembly operation in the United Kingdom
1975 - Contico’s first entry into consumer products begins with custom manufacturing for Sears, Roebuck and Company
1980 - Company officers repurchase all publicly-held shares and become a privately held company again
1982 - John’s International is acquired, and the manufacturing of steel and aluminum truck boxes and related products begins
1983 - Introduction of a new line of hand held plastic tool boxes
1990 - Manufacturing begins on a new line of plastic material handling products, as an alternative to corrugated boxes
1991 - Three U.S. molding plants are expanded by 50%
1993 - European manufacturing operations open in the United Kingdom
1994 - Joint venture agreement with Soomer Allibert (France) for North American material handling business expansion. Major new manufacturing facility is constructed in Springfield, Missouri
1999 - Contico International LLC is sold to Katy Industries Inc.
2000 - Through a recapitalization of Katy Industries Inc., in June 2001, an affiliate of Kohlberg Investor IV, L.P., established control of the business. New management teams at the corporate and various operating levels are installed.
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