{{Short description|World's largest manufacturer of foam cups and containers}} {{About|the container manufacturer|the shipping company|Dart Container Line}} {{Infobox company | name = Dart Container Corporation | logo = Dart Container logo.png | type = Private | industry = Single-use food service packaging | founded = 1960 | hq_location = Mason, Michigan | num_locations = 45 production, distribution, and office facilities | products = {{plainlist| * Foam food service products * Plastic cups & containers * Paper cups }} | founder = William A. Dart | key_people = Robert C. Dart, CEO | num_employees = 15,000 | revenue = {{Increase}} $3 Billion (2019)<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-nw-nyt-dart-foam-containers-20200210-6yn7lfmwkfbbbegppw7te6tyjy-story.html | title=Foam coffee cups are in trouble as cities and states ban them across the country. But a Michigan company with a factory in Chicago isn't ready to give up | website=Chicago Tribune | date=10 February 2020 }}</ref> | website = [https://dartcontainer.com dartcontainer.com] }}
'''Dart Container Corporation''' is an American manufacturer of disposable food containers. Based in Mason, Michigan, Dart is the world's largest manufacturer of foam cups and containers, producing about as many as all competitors combined. Dart Container is privately held by the Dart family.
In May 2012, Dart acquired Illinois-based Solo Cup Company and now has approximately 15,000 employees and more than 45 production, distribution center, and office locations in eight countries.
==Company history== Dart Manufacturing Company was founded in 1937 by William F. Dart, a son of the founder of Dart National Bank.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last=Shellum |first=Bernie |date=June 29, 1992 |title=As the Dart Flies |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/detroit-free-press-dart-container-family/17379017/ |access-date=May 14, 2024 |website=newspapers.com |publisher=Detroit Free Press |page=11F}}</ref> As a machine shop, it manufactured key rings, steel tape measures, and dog tags for the Department of Defense.<ref name="lans">{{Cite web |last=Whittington |first=Jane |date=January 27, 2013 |title=Dart delivers with innovation |url=http://www.lansingbusinessmonthly.com/articles/165-2005-april/2055-dart-delivers-with-innovation.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130127080026/http://www.lansingbusinessmonthly.com/articles/165-2005-april/2055-dart-delivers-with-innovation.html |archive-date=2013-01-27 |access-date=2012-10-04 |website=Lansing Business Monthly}}</ref> It also created popular toy for kids, called Marble Race.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Our History |url=https://corporate.dartcontainer.com/history/ |access-date=2025-11-18 |website=Dart Corporate |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0" />
His son, William A. Dart, graduated from University of Michigan with three degrees (metallurgy, mathematics, and engineering) and joined joined the family business in the late 1950s. They experimented with and perfected an expandable polystyrene (EPS) molding process, and shipped their first insulated foam cups in April 1960.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="lans" /> They first developed a 6 oz. cup before expanding to 8, 10, and 12 ounces. Dart Container Corporation was incorporated in 1963.<ref name=":1" /> Among Dart's first major clients was Chick-fil-A, Sysco, and US Foods. It also sold to hospitals, schools, and sports stadiums.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |last=Corkery |first=Michael |date=February 10, 2020 |title=Your Foam Coffee Cup Is Fighting for Its Life |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/10/business/dart-foam-recycling.html |access-date=2025-11-21 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
During the 1960s and '70s, Dart expanded to Pennsylvania, Illinois, California, and Texas. It also started making plastic dinnerware and cutlery.<ref name=":1" /> In 1980, it opened a facility in Horse Cave, Kentucky.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Joe |date=July 14, 2014 |title=Dart Container Corporation to expand in Horse Cave, KY |url=https://columbiamagazine.com/index.php?sid=68520 |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=columbiamagazine.com}}</ref> In 1981, the company filed a patent for a more user-friendly lid. It was a plastic disc with a press-down tab that allowed customers to drink while the lid was still on.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kennedy |first=Pagan |date=2013-10-25 |title=Who Made That Coffee Lid? |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/27/magazine/who-made-that-coffee-lid.html |access-date=2025-11-18 |work=The New York Times |language=en}}</ref> Dart opened a facility in Plant City, Florida, in 1983,<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=October 29, 2013 |title=Dart Container to Invest $14 Million in Plant City Expansion |url=https://www.dartcontainer.com/resources/media/news/dart-container-to-invest-14-million-in-plant-city-expansion |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=Dart Container}}</ref> and another in Lodi, California, in 1984.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Lutz |first=Marc Lutz |date=2008-10-28 |title=Designing Dart |url=https://www.lodinews.com/business/article_c9cd96cd-d0bb-58ce-87a7-0f89679cce4b.html |access-date=2025-11-19 |website=Lodinews.com |language=en}}</ref> A facility in Campbellford, Ontario in Canada was opened in 1985.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=September 18, 2014 |title=Dart Cup Ltd./Solo Cup Canada Inc. Now Marketing Under a New Name: Dart Canada |url=https://www.dartcontainer.com/resources/media/news/dart-cup-ltdsolo-cup-canada-inc-now-marketing-under-a-new-name-dart-canada |access-date=2025-11-19 |website=Dart Corporate}}</ref> Kenneth Dart became president in 1986.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=September 9, 2000 |title=His Cup Runneth Over |url=https://www.floridatrend.com/article/13112/his-cup-runneth-over/ |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=Florida Trend}}</ref> In 1996, the company expanded to Mexico, opening a facility in Atlacumulco.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atlacomulco, Mexico |url=https://corporate.dartcontainer.com/location/atlacomulco-mexico/ |access-date=2025-11-19 |website=Dart Corporate |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2006, Family Business Magazine ranked Dart Container 137th in its listing of family companies, with an estimated $1.1 billion in sales, and 4,950 employees.<ref>{{Cite web |title=America's 150 largest family businesses |url=http://www.familybusinessmagazine.com:80/top150.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20090408053651/http://www.familybusinessmagazine.com:80/top150.html |archive-date=2009-04-08 |access-date=2025-11-19 |website=Family Business Magazine}}</ref> In 2007, Dart opened a facility in Tijuana, Mexico. At the time, the company had 7,500 employees and 16 million square feet of plant space worldwide.<ref name=":1" />
In March 2012, Dart expanded its operations to Brazil when it acquired a facility in Pindamonhangaba.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 6, 2012 |title=U.S. Foodservice Container Company Acquires Brazil Production Facility |url=https://www.dartcontainer.com/resources/media/news/dart-container-acquires-brazil-production-facility |access-date=2025-11-18 |website=www.dartcontainer.com}}</ref> Dart Container purchased Solo Cup Company in May 2012 in a deal valued at approximately $1 billion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-03-22 |title=Solo Cup Sold To Michigan Company - CBS Chicago |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/solo-cup-sold-to-michigan-company/ |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |last2= |date=March 23, 2012 |title=Dart Container to Acquire Solo Cup |url=https://cspdailynews.com/general-merchandise/dart-container-acquire-solo-cup |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=CSP Daily News |language=en}}</ref> The iconic Solo red cup was slated to remain under the Solo name.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 22, 2012 |title=Dart Container buys red Solo Cup maker for $1B |url=https://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/manufacturing/story/2012-03-22/solo-cup-dart-container-purchase/53704060/1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322212855/https://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/manufacturing/story/2012-03-22/solo-cup-dart-container-purchase/53704060/1 |archive-date=2012-03-22 |access-date=2025-11-17 |work=USATODAY.COM}}</ref> Following the acquisition, Dart consolidated its operations in Canada, forming Dart Canada in 2014. At the time, the subsidiary employed 380 people and had facilities in Toronto and Campbellford, a corporate office in Toronto, and a Mississauga warehouse.<ref name=":3" /> It also completed a $60 million expansion project that updated its headquarters and opened a new distribution center in the same complex.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holveck |first=Brandon |date=October 31, 2014 |title=Solo cup manufacturer will open distribution center in Delaware this fall |url=https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2020/06/08/solo-cup-manufacturer-open-distribution-center-delaware-fall/3133430001/ |access-date=2025-11-19 |website=The News Journal |language=en-US}}</ref>
By 2013, Dart had 14,000 employees across 45 locations in 12 U.S. states and eight countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, Argentina, and Australia.<ref name="lans" /><ref name=":5" /> That year, New York City passed a The company closed its Augusta, Georgia paper cup factory in 2019, citing a lack in demand. Production was then moved to Toronto.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Press |first=Associated |date=November 29, 2017 |title=Dart Container closing paper cup plant in Georgia because of drop in demand |url=https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/money/business/2017/11/29/dart-container-closing-paper-cup-plant-georgia-because-drop-demand/907998001/ |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=Lansing State Journal |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cline |first=Damon |date=August 6, 2020 |title=Local investors buy former Dart cup factory |url=https://www.augustachronicle.com/story/business/2020/08/06/local-investors-buy-former-dart-cup-factory/114817268/ |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=The Augusta Chronicle |language=en-US}}</ref> When Maryland banned the use of foam plastics, Dart closed its distribution centers in Hampstead and Havre de Grace.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kelvey |first=Jon |date=2019-08-15 |title=DART Container company to close Hampstead, Havre de Grace warehouses in 2020 |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2019/08/15/dart-container-company-to-close-hampstead-havre-de-grace-warehouses-in-2020/ |access-date=2025-11-19 |website=Baltimore Sun |language=en-US}}</ref> Operations were relocated to New Castle, Delaware.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holveck |first=Brandon |date=June 8, 2020 |title=Solo cup manufacturer will open distribution center in Delaware this fall |url=https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2020/06/08/solo-cup-manufacturer-open-distribution-center-delaware-fall/3133430001/ |access-date=2025-11-19 |website=The News Journal |language=en-US}}</ref>
In February 2020, Dart eliminated 6% of its administrative and sales workforce.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 11, 2020 |title=Dart Container lays off 65 workers from mid-Michigan headquarters, more across the company |url=https://www.wlns.com/news/local/dart-container-lays-off-65-workers-from-mid-michigan-headquarters-more-across-the-company/ |access-date=November 20, 2025 |website=WLNS 6 News}}</ref> During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Dart produced thousands of plastic face shields for health care workers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lehr |first=Sarah |date=April 18, 2020 |title=Dart Container will donate 5,000 to 10,000 face shields to Sparrow Hospital |url=https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/2020/04/18/dart-container-donate-5-000-10-000-face-shields-sparrow/5158875002/ |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=Lansing State Journal |language=en-US}}</ref> In March 2023, the company announced the closure of its Tumwater facility in Washington.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stusser |first=Danny |date=2023-03-02 |title=Dart manufacturing plant in Tumwater to close soon |url=https://www.thejoltnews.com/stories/dart-manufacturing-plant-in-tumwater-to-close-soon,9622 |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=The JOLT News Organization |language=en}}</ref> Its Urbana, Illinois facility was shut down at the end of the year, affecting 135 jobs.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pressey |first=Debra |date=2023-08-25 |title=Dart Container closing Urbana plant by end of year; 135 jobs to be lost |url=https://www.news-gazette.com/business/employment/dart-container-closing-urbana-plant-by-end-of-year-135-jobs-to-be-lost/article_51bd0a33-27ab-5f72-8d72-af8a3c60ce72.html |access-date=2025-11-18 |website=The News-Gazette |language=en}}</ref> Dart eliminated 250 corporate jobs, including 160 from its Mason headquarters, in September 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Jim |date=2024-09-25 |title=Dart slashing corporate jobs to save money |url=https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/dart-slashing-corporate-jobs-save-money |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=Plastics News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sardar |first=Jam |date=2024-09-20 |title=Dart Container lays off 160 from Mason headquarters |url=https://www.wlns.com/top-stories/dart-container-lays-off-160-from-mason-headquarters/ |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=WLNS 6 News |language=en-US}}</ref> It closed two plants and eliminated 175 jobs in California the following month in connection to the state's ban on expanded polystyrene.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Jim |date=2024-10-25 |title=Dart blaming new law for closure of two California plants |url=https://www.plasticsnews.com/news/dart-blaming-new-law-closure-two-california-plants |access-date=2025-11-17 |website=Plastics News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Pyzyk |first=Katie |date=November 5, 2024 |title=Layoffs tick up in October, led by International Paper and O-I Glass |url=https://www.packagingdive.com/news/october-layoffs-international-paper-oi-ppc/731198/ |access-date=2025-11-20 |website=Packaging Dive |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Operations== Dart Container Corporation is vertically integrated, allowing the company to reduce costs. Dart produces its own polystyrene resin, builds the machinery that processes the raw materials, manufactures its own ink and packaging film, and transports the finished products on trucks it owns.<ref name="lans" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4" />
Since the 1990s, Dart has also handled its own recycling efforts through foam recycling densifiers and collection programs.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Caliendo |first=Heather |date=August 7, 2013 |title=All eyes on polystyrene foam packaging |url=https://www.plasticstoday.com/packaging/all-eyes-on-polystyrene-foam-packaging |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241208163751/https://www.plasticstoday.com/packaging/all-eyes-on-polystyrene-foam-packaging |archive-date=2024-12-08 |access-date=2025-11-20 |work=Plastics Today |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Parrish |first=Michael |date=1990-11-11 |title=Polystyrene Foam Just Wants a Little Respect From Environmentalists : Packaging: Makers of the useful but ecologically unpopular white material are trying new methods of recycling to help improve the product's image. |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-11-11-fi-6321-story.html |access-date=2025-11-21 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Karidis |first=Arlene |date=December 2, 2015 |title=Dart Container launches 24/7, free foam recycling in Dallas |url=https://www.wastedive.com/news/dart-container-launches-247-free-foam-recycling-in-dallas/410103/ |access-date=2025-11-21 |website=Waste Dive |language=en-US}}</ref> The foam products are heated and compressed, then shipped off to be reused as building material.<ref name=":2" /> The company has also established independent facilities to handle the cleaning and recycling of used products.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Corporation |first=Dart Container |date=June 24, 2011 |title=Dart Container Unveils New Wash & Dry Center and Underscores Commitment to Increasing Foam Recycling Efforts Throughout the State |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dart-container-unveils-new-wash--dry-center-and-underscores-commitment-to-increasing-foam-recycling-efforts-throughout-the-state-124512448.html |access-date=2025-11-19 |website=www.prnewswire.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-07-03 |title=CORONA: Assemblymembers tour Dart Container to view recycling program |url=https://www.pressenterprise.com/2013/07/03/corona-assemblymembers-tour-dart-container-to-view-recycling-program/ |access-date=2025-11-19 |website=Press Enterprise |language=en-US}}</ref> Dart's Recycla-Pak program ran from the late 1990s until 2020, when it was stopped due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, the Next Life Take Back Program was announced as an enhanced replacement.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smalley |first=Megan |date=April 26, 2023 |title=Dart Container launches consumer recycling program |url=https://www.recyclingtoday.com/news/dart-container-launches-take-back-recycling-program-paper-plastic-packaging/ |access-date=2025-11-21 |website=www.recyclingtoday.com}}</ref>
Since the 2010s, Dart has faced increased criticism over the environmental effects of its products. A decrease in polystyrene foam sales has led to the company producing more paper products for Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts. By 2020, foam only made up fifth of the company's total products, and sales of food and beverage containers were flat.<ref name=":6" /> It has also invested in compostable molded fiber as an additional alternative.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 19, 2023 |title=Dart Container Invests in Red Leaf, North America's Alternative Fiber Leader |url=https://www.dartcontainer.com/en-ca/resources/media/news/dart-container-invests-in-red-leaf-north-americas-alternative-fiber-leader |access-date=2025-11-21 |website=Dart Container}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rachal |first=Maria |date=September 13, 2024 |title=Dart delves into dry molded fiber for lids, licensing PulPac tech |url=https://www.packagingdive.com/news/dart-container-pulpac-dry-molded-fiber-scala/726862/ |access-date=2025-11-21 |website=Packaging Dive |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 11, 2024 |title=Dart Container and Pulpac introduce Dry Molded Fiber production in North American market |url=https://packagingeurope.com/news/dart-container-and-pulpac-introduce-dry-molded-fiber-production-in-north-american-market/11860.article |access-date=2025-11-21 |website=Packaging Europe |language=en}}</ref>
== Controversies == The company is owned by brothers Kenneth B. Dart and Robert C. Dart, who renounced their U.S. citizenship in 1994.<ref name=forbes1>{{Cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/forbes/2003/0721/052_print.html |title=Forbes Informer |website=Forbes |access-date=2017-08-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507131814/http://www.forbes.com/forbes/2003/0721/052_print.html |archive-date=2013-05-07 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Kenneth Dart then established a relationship with the nation of Belize, which promptly sought U.S. permission to open a consulate in Sarasota with Dart as its consul.<ref name="LA Times">{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-jun-15-fi-perfin15-story.html |title=The US Cracks Down on Rich Tax Evaders|website=Los Angeles Times |date=15 June 2008 }}</ref> The request was rejected by the State Department, and the brothers eventually moved to the Cayman Islands.<ref name=forbes3>{{cite web |title=The Informer |website=Forbes |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605194805/https://www.forbes.com/forbes/2001/1029/028.html |archive-date=2023-06-05 |url-status=live |url=https://www.forbes.com/forbes/2001/1029/028.html}}</ref> They have several business concerns on the islands, including Dart Enterprises which is a holding company involved in several projects,<ref name=dartent>[http://www.dartenterprises.biz/ Dart Enterprises]</ref> including the Camana Bay town development.<ref name=camanabay>{{Cite web |url=http://www.camanabay.com/about-us/the-team/ |title=Camana Bay - The Team |access-date=2013-08-19 |archive-date=2013-09-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130919014920/http://www.camanabay.com/about-us/the-team/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In 2001, the US Internal Revenue Service said the Dart brothers improperly billed $11.6 million of personal security costs to Dart Container. In U.S. Tax Court, Dart Container argued the money was a valid business expense due to "specific threats and other facts and circumstances". Half the money went for corporate aircraft. The IRS asked for $4 million more for 1996 and 1997 taxes. In 2003, the Internal Revenue Service took the brothers to court, saying they owed an additional $19 million in 1998 and 1999 taxes.<ref name=forbes1 /> In 2002, the Dart brothers and their companies paid $26 million in back taxes.<ref name=forbes1 />
In May 2013, fifty agents of the Argentine tax authority raided the local Dart Container subsidiary Dart Sudamericana SRL on alleged tax evasion charges. The tax authority claimed that the firm imported polystyrene beads at inflated prices, thus avoiding taxable gains through the unfair transfer pricing scheme.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
== External links == {{commons category}} * {{official website|https://www.dartcontainer.com/}}
Category:Companies based in Ingham County, Michigan Category:American companies established in 1937 Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1937 Category:1937 establishments in Michigan Category:Privately held companies based in Michigan Category:Manufacturing companies based in Michigan Category:Packaging companies of the United States