Manufacturers of steel containers

For over 60 years The Metal Drum Company have been manufacturing steel containers for the petro-chemical, resin and paint, dye stuff and construction industries. Our products range in size from 5 to 210 litres. Find out more about us here.

We operate exacting and thorough quality systems at both of our sites and these are approved in accordance with standard BS EN ISO 9001.

Open Top Drums

above 70 litres capacity

Our open top drums are manufactured to British Standards and some of these meet the requirements of UN Group 1 Solids or UN Group II Liquids.

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Large Tight Head Drums

above 70 litres capacity

The tight head drum is a convenient container for transporting liquids. We manufacture them to British Standards and meet the performance requirements of UN Groups I, II or III.

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Powder Lacquered Drums

from 205 litres capacity

The powder lacquer plant installed at Metal Drum was the first in the UK and only the second in Europe.

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Small Tight Head Drums

below 70 litres capacity

These drums are for carrying liquids, they are manufactured to British Standards and many meet the requirements for UN Group I and II.

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Kegs

below 70 litres capacity

A keg is a small open top drum that is a suitable container for transporting powders, pastes and semi-solids such as dye stuffs.

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Interrupted Chimb Drums

below 70 litres capacity

The interrupted chimb drum (IC) is a tight head drum with a specially designed self-draining top to prevent the accumulation of liquids. It is frequently used for liquids, fertilisers, edible oils and chemicals.

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BS EN ISO 9001 Certification #Q10399

Drums certified for the carriage of hazardous goods

Awarded Bronze by Ecovadis for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) 2019

About The Metal Drum Company

The Metal Drum Company is a family business, founded by Tommy Rawle in the 1950s and now run by his grandson.

In 1961 the company bought the engineering workshops of Chilton colliery in County Durham and installed production lines to manufacture large steel barrels.

In 1966 we widened our range by purchasing a drum manufacturing company in Hull. This factory has since moved sites but is still making smaller containers from 5 to 60 litres to this day.

Our size, flexibility and independence mean that we're able to respond quickly to a diverse range of customer requirements.

Through even the most challenging of times we've been able to maintain a strong operation in a competitive marketplace due to the quality of our products and service.