The History of Southern Container Corporation
For Sheila Vick, a high school job became a lasting legacy, unfolding right here in Wilson, North Carolina—the heart of Southern Container Corporation’s history. From its humble beginnings, the family-owned packaging company has grown into a leader in agricultural packaging innovations.
A Legacy in Agricultural Packaging
Founded in 1958 by James Wright Wiggins and Korean War flying ace Dolphin D. Overton, Southern Container Corporation began by shipping wood tobacco hogsheads, a large barrel used to store and transport tobacco. The company quickly became a dominant supplier of hogsheads, serving both domestic and international tobacco processing plants. In fact, Southern Container remains the only hogshead manufacturer in the United States. During this time, Wilson, NC was known as "the world’s greatest tobacco market," and Southern Container’s company history became intertwined with the region’s agricultural roots.
The Growth of Southern Container Corporation
In 1962, a 17-year-old Wilson County native named Sheila Vick joined the company as a part-time receptionist. Little did she know that her role would evolve into one of great leadership. In 1979, Sheila took over the ownership and management of Southern Container, making it a family-run packaging company. Now, nearly 45 years later, Sheila Vick continues to lead Southern Container Corporation, a long-standing packaging company with a legacy of growth and innovation.
Innovating Agricultural Packaging Solutions
As the company expanded, so did its product line. Southern Container began producing packaging for a variety of agricultural products, including sweet potatoes, bulk produce bins, and the game-changing “Busket.”
The agricultural packaging history of Southern Container reflects the company’s commitment to providing high-quality solutions to growers and packers not only in the U.S. but also in regions like Central America, South America, Canada, and Europe.
In 2014, Sheila Vick saw a problem many farmers faced: the need for a durable, vented container to store produce while allowing proper airflow. The solution? The Busket, a unique, durable container made from polypropylene. The Busket has since become one of Southern Container’s most successful products, with 1.7 million units sold each year.
A Legacy of Commitment to Agriculture
Southern Container understands the importance of agriculture to North Carolina’s economy. In fact, agribusiness, like Southern Container Corporation, contributes nearly $92 billion to the state’s economy—representing one-sixth of North Carolina’s overall income. This longstanding commitment to agricultural packaging innovation is why Southern Container remains a trusted partner to farms across the country and beyond.
From its history of Southern Container’s humble beginnings to its evolution into a packaging company legacy, Southern Container has been built on a foundation of hard work, integrity, and a deep commitment to agricultural progress.
