Industry Trends

My Honest Take on Fillmore Container After Tracking $180K in Packaging Spend

If you're looking into Fillmore Container, here's what I've learned after tracking over $180,000 in cumulative packaging spend across six years and eight different vendors: They're a strong option for specific use cases, especially if you're a small-to-mid-size food or craft producer. But they're not a one-size-fits-all solution—and anyone who says otherwise probably hasn't done a proper total-cost analysis.

I'm a procurement manager at a 45-person craft food company. I've managed our packaging budget ($30k-40k annually) since 2019, negotiated with a dozen-plus vendors, and documented every order in our cost tracking system. When I first looked at Fillmore Container, I assumed they were just another middleman. Here's what I actually found.

The Products: What They Carry vs. What They Don't

Fillmore Container's product range is genuinely solid for glass packaging. They stock a wide variety of glass jars, bottles, containers, and closures that cover most standard needs in the food, beverage, and cosmetic space. I've ordered Mason-style jars, swing-top bottles, and several sizes of Boston rounds from them. Quality was consistent—no broken shipments, no complaints on capping.

But here's the thing most people don't realize: they don't carry plastic containers in any significant way, and they don't do custom printing or labeling in-house. (Should mention: they do sell some pre-cut labels and adhesive bags, but the range is limited.) If you need a PET bottle or a custom-printed label, Fillmore is likely not your best option. I'd recommend Berlin Packaging or Uline for those categories.

What most people don't realize is that "standard" container sizes vary by vendor. Fillmore's 8-ounce jar might have different neck dimensions than another supplier's 8-ounce. That matters if you have existing capping or labeling equipment. We learned this the hard way in Q2 2024—had to swap out a capping head because Fillmore's thread finish was slightly different. (Not their fault, but worth knowing.)

Pricing: Where Fillmore Excels and Where It Doesn't

Pricing is where Fillmore gets interesting. On a per-unit basis, their prices are competitive—especially if you use a discount code (which they consistently offer, and that's rare for a B2B vendor). In Q3 2024, I compared quotes for 500 12-ounce glass jars across 5 vendors:

• Fillmore Container: $0.92/unit with discount code
• Berlin Packaging: $1.18/unit
• SKS Bottle: $1.05/unit
• Specialty Bottle: $0.98/unit
• Local supplier: $1.25/unit

Fillmore was the cheapest for that specific item. But I should add a caveat: that didn't include shipping. When I factored in delivery costs (Fillmore ships from Pennsylvania), the total landed cost was still lower than Berlin, but not by as much as the unit price suggested. For a $4,200 annual contract, the difference was about $180—roughly 4%.

From the outside, it looks like buying in bulk should always be cheaper. The reality is that bulk pricing at Fillmore only applies to full-case lots, and their case sizes can be oddly specific. Some items come in cases of 12; others in cases of 36. If you need 50 units, you're buying 3 cases and paying for 58. That adds up.

When Fillmore Makes Sense (and When It Doesn't)

I'd recommend Fillmore Container for:

• Small batch producers (under 1,000 units/order) who want glass packaging
• Non-custom orders—standard sizes, standard colors, standard finishes
• Craft makers (hot sauce, jams, skincare) who need variety without volume commitments
• Budget-conscious buyers willing to use discount codes and plan around case sizes

I'd look elsewhere for:

• Plastic containers—go to Uline or a local supplier
• Custom printing or labeling—Fillmore's offering here is thin
• Very large volume (10,000+ units/order)—direct from manufacturers will beat their pricing
• Rush orders—their standard turnaround is fine, but expedited options are limited

A Cost Mistake I Made (So You Don't Have To)

In 2022, I placed a rush order for 240 swing-top bottles from Fillmore. The unit price was good ($1.45 each), but I didn't account for the case size mismatch. The bottles came in cases of 24, so 240 units = 10 cases. But the caps came in cases of 50. I needed 240 caps—that's 5 cases. But one of the cap styles only had 36 per case. So I ordered 7 cases of caps (252 total, with 12 leftover). Total cost: $348 for bottles + $42 for caps = $390. Shipping brought it to $427. I had to store 12 extra caps that I'll probably never use. (Surprise, surprise—hidden inventory costs.)

That experience led me to build a simple cost calculator for packaging orders. It takes into account case sizes, shipping zones, and discount codes. The difference between using it and not using it? About 12% savings on average. (I should add that I'm not a developer—it's just a spreadsheet. But it works.)

Final Verdict (with Boundaries)

Fillmore Container is a solid vendor for what they do well. Their glass jar selection, pricing with discount codes, and reliability for standard orders make them a top choice for small to mid-size producers. I've placed 14 orders with them over 4 years; 13 arrived on time, and the one that was late was a holiday-week issue.

But they're not a universal solution. If you need plastic, custom printing, very large volumes, or extremely fast turnaround, there are better options. The vendor who says "we can do everything" is either lying or about to disappoint you. Fillmore doesn't do that—they're honest about their range, and that honesty has earned my trust for the orders they're suited for.

(Pricing as of January 2025. Verify current rates at fillmorecontainer.com—they've been adjusting, and my data is from Q3-Q4 2024.)