Industry Trends

Why Fillmore Container Is Still My Go-To After 6 Years of Procurement (Even in 2025)

Look, I'm not gonna pretend Fillmore Container is perfect. No vendor is. But after six years of tracking every single invoice in our procurement system—analyzing $180,000 in cumulative spending across packaging, containers, and supplies—I keep coming back to them. And in 2025, with the industry shifting under our feet, that says something.

Here's the thing: Fillmore Container isn't the cheapest option, and it's not the most premium. But for the vast majority of small to mid-scale producers—food, beverage, cosmetics, craft makers—they strike a balance that's hard to beat. Five years ago, I might have told you to chase the lowest quote. But what was best practice in 2020 may not apply in 2025.

The Problem With Chasing 'Cheap'

I went back and forth between Fillmore and a newer, cheaper vendor for about two weeks back in 2022. The new vendor offered 18% lower pricing on glass jars. On paper, it was a no-brainer. But my gut said something was off.

Turns out, my gut was right. The cheaper vendor's lids didn't seal properly. We lost a batch of product—about $1,200 worth—to spoilage. The 'cheap' option resulted in a $1,200 redo when quality failed. Fillmore's lids had never given me that problem.

In my opinion, that's the core of procurement in 2025: total cost of ownership (TCO), not the sticker price. I'd argue that anyone still shopping solely on unit cost is leaving money on the table—and risking their product quality.

What Fillmore Container Actually Does Well

I know their pricing is competitive because I've checked. But what matters more to me is what you don't see on the price sheet.

1. The Variety Is Real

When I need a specific thing—a 12-ounce amber glass Boston round with a polycone cap, for example—Fillmore usually has it in stock. For a procurement manager, that's gold. It means I don't have to wait weeks for a special order or hunt across five different sites. Their product range is genuinely wide, and the inventory depth is better than most competitors I've dealt with.

2. The Bulk Pricing Works (If You Use the Code)

One thing that's caught my attention: Fillmore Container's discount code system. Plenty of their customers know about it, but a surprising number of B2B buyers don't. When I audit our 2023 spending, I found we saved about 8% annually just by remembering to apply the fillmore container discount code at checkout. That's not a huge margin, but it adds up when you're ordering quarterly supplies for a 50-person production facility.

Are they the absolute cheapest for bulk? No. But after comparing quotes for a $4,200 annual contract across three vendors in Q2 2024, Fillmore came in at a TCO that was 6% higher than the cheapest option but 11% lower in hidden costs. The cheapest vendor charged for shipping and handling; Fillmore didn't. Those 'hidden fees' are exactly what I watch for.

3. They're Consistent (Which Is Underrated)

Consistency is what keeps me coming back. I know that if I order a specific size of Fillmore container jar today, the same jar delivered in six months will match. That sounds basic, but I've had vendor switches fail because the 'same' jar was slightly different in weight or finish. For a cosmetic maker, that's a branding nightmare.

The Elephant in the Room: 'Does the Industry Still Need Fillmore?'

Some people ask me: 'Isn't packaging a commodity now? Can't you just get it from anywhere?' I get why people say that—the market has more options than ever. But here's the reality: the packaging industry in 2025 is not a commodity play for most B2B buyers.

The fundamentals haven't changed, but the execution has transformed. You still need a vendor who can deliver the right container, with the right seal, at the right time. Fillmore does that. They're not the flashy new startup; they're the reliable workhorse. And for a procurement manager who's been burned by 'disruptive' vendors before, that's worth its weight in saved headaches.

The One Thing I'd Change

To be fair, Fillmore isn't ideal for everyone. If you need custom labeling or specialized tamper-evident packaging, you might need to look elsewhere or use Fillmore as a base supplier plus a specialist for the custom work. I've run into this myself: their standard labeling options are fine for many, but if you need something specific—say, custom shrink sleeves with a complex design—they're not the best fit.

Part of me wishes they'd expand that service. Another part gets why they don't: staying focused on their core container and closure business is probably what keeps their quality and pricing competitive.

The Verdict for 2025

So, is Fillmore Container still worth it? In my opinion, yes—especially if you're a small to mid-sized producer who values consistency, variety, and a fair price over chasing the absolute cheapest quote.

I've learned the hard way that the cheapest option rarely is. And the premium options often have premium prices that aren't justified for standard packaging needs. Fillmore sits in that sweet spot where quality meets affordability. That's why, after six years and $180,000 in packaging spending, I still recommend them to other procurement managers.

Just don't forget the discount code. Every little bit helps when you're running a production budget.