From Beginning to Today - A Brief History of C.L. Smith in St. Louis

1975

C.L. Smith is founded as a full-line container distributor of rigid packaging based in St. Louis, Missouri. Even then, C.L “Bud” Smith’s vision was simple and straight forward: treat customers like friends and provide them with the best products, best prices and best service in the industry.

1988

As the container division grows, Mr. Smith sees a new customer need. His same container customers need smaller runs, shorter lead times, size options and greater customization from their existing bottle manufactures; options customers are not currently receiving.
Named in memory of Mr. Smith’s late wife, “Lyons” Blow Molding was launched as an extrusion blow molder with goal of giving customer’s greater flexibility, more variety, and solid performance reliability when manufacturing plastic bottles. Companies quickly see the value in using Lyons Blow Molding as a turn-key manufacturer to design, manufacture, package and deliver smaller run, HDPE custom mold plastic bottles.

Hazardous Materials Packaging +
Manufacturing and Distribution =
Turn-Key Solutions

2005

Known for the industry’s highest quality standards, Lyons Blow Molding expands and moves to its current state-of-the-art facility in Berkeley, Missouri.

Continuing a reputation for reliability, responsiveness and top-notch customer service, Mr. Smith continues to re-invest back in the business. As both a Distributor and Manufacture, the decision was made to leverage our expertise, product inventory and purchasing power to provide customers more solutions in the specialty packaging arena. HAZPlus® , C.L.Smith’s hazardous materials packaging division begins, complete with on-site UN Certified Package Testing Lab. Customers realize the cost savings and project coordination benefit with C.L. Smith’s unified approach to serve all their manufacturing, distribution and hazardous materials packaging needs.

Distribution & Expansion

2012

We expanded our logistics footprint with a new 100,000 square foot warehouse located one block from Lyons Blow Molding manufacturing facility. This fully equipped Distribution Center offers more product inventory, customer storage and eventual production lines.

2014

Growth in the Midwest market continues along with the onset of more stringent environmental and regulatory requirements for the food industry–the need for a Food Safe manufacturing facility was identified, and a 73,000 square foot facility, located one block away from our existing Lyons Blow Molding plant, was purchased in order to meet the need of the changing market. Renovation began and within a year our newly purchased building was engineered into a world class Food Safe manufacturing facility.

2015

By March 2015, the new Lyons Blow Molding – Plant 2 production operation startup began, and initiatives were underway with regards to achieving our food safe manufacturing certification bench-marked to GFSI specifications. On June 17, 2015, Lyons Blow Molding – Plant 2 manufacturing facility achieved its IFS PACsecure certification.

As an IFS PACSecure food certified manufacturer, our customers have the added advantage of smaller runs, shorter lead times, flexible cavitation, creative options, and UN performance oriented bottles for hard-to-hold products that meet both rigorous food safe and hazardous material regulations standards. With over 73,000 square feet of GFSI accredited rigid bottle manufacturing, we provide a fully compliant product based on HAACP and GMP standards.

Our Journey Continues

C.L. Smith and its Family of Solutions continue to grow and evolve. We are continually expanding our service offerings to meet customer needs, becoming more efficient through Lean Management principles throughout our entire organization and advocating for Sustainable packaging. As a manufacturer, packaging container distributor, custom packaging designer, and a hazmat certifier, C.L. Smith Company truly is “All in For You” because you’re relying on us!