A “Gaylord box” is a big, strong container. It’s used in many industries to ship and store bulk materials. Many people see these sturdy boxes in warehouses, distribution centers, and stores. But few know the interesting story behind their unique name. This report looks at where the term “Gaylord box” comes from. It also shows how it became a general term for bulk shipping containers.
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The Origin of the Gaylord Name
The name “Gaylord” has an interesting etymology that predates its association with packaging. The surname “Gaylord” comes from the Old French word “gaillard.” This word meant joyful or high-spirited. The term changed over time into a family name from Norman French. Many respected people carried the Gaylord surname, such as politicians, journalists, and artisans.
This surname became linked to large shipping containers. It is tied to a company that led their production and made them popular.
The Original Gaylord Container Company
The company started as “J.C. Bulis.” It mainly sold small wooden shipping boxes.
A significant turning point came in 1920 when Robert Gaylord purchased the company. After the acquisition, the business was renamed “Robert Gaylord, Inc.” Next, it became the “Gaylord Container Corporation.” This company is known for its strong, large shipping container that took its name.
In 1955, Crown Zellerbach from San Francisco purchased Gaylord Container Company. ” This kept the Gaylord name well-known in the industry.
The Modern Gaylord Container Corporation
In July 1985, Sir James Goldsmith took over Crown Zellerbach. By May 1986, this led to the company’s break-up.
During the restructuring, we sold our profitable manufacturing assets to James River Corporation. The container division, less profitable, was renamed “Gaylord Container.” Then, after a short time as a limited partnership, it was sold. In November 1986, it was sold for $260 million. The buyers were Midwest investors Warren Hayford and Marvin Pomerantz.
Pomerantz and Hayford once led Mid-America Packaging. This company owned one kraft paper mill in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. During a downturn in the paper industry, they used aggressive buying tactics. This method helped them take control by buying mills and plants for less.
How “Gaylord” Became a Generic Term
After Temple-Inland bought Gaylord Container Corporation in 2002, the name “Gaylord” remained well-known. This continued even when International Paper took over Temple-Inland in 2012. The name moved beyond its corporate roots. Now, it refers to big, strong shipping containers.
This language change is like how “Kleenex” now means any tissue. It’s also similar to “Realtor” being used for all real estate agents. In the packaging industry, “Gaylord” refers to a large, sturdy corrugated box. It’s often used for bulk shipping and storage, no matter who makes it.
Industry Adoption and Standardization
In the U.S. and Canada, “gaylord” refers mainly to triplewall corrugated pallet boxes. These boxes are usually pallet-sized. They are durable and made from heavy-duty corrugated cardboard.
The term is now common in many industries. This shows how much the Gaylord name is part of shipping and logistics language. Today, people in many fields use this term. This includes manufacturing, food processing, textiles, retail, and more. They may not know where it came from.
Characteristics of Modern Gaylord Boxes
Modern Gaylord boxes have key features that make them essential for logistics:
Construction and Design
Gaylord boxes are made from heavy-duty corrugated cardboard. They have multiple layers, which makes them very strong. This strength allows them to hold a lot of weight. They often have triple-corrugated cardboard walls. The design may change depending on how they will be used.
These boxes go on pallets. This makes it easy to move them with forklifts and pallet jacks. Their square or rectangular shape (though sometimes octagonal) maximizes storage efficiency and stackability.
Versatility and Applications
Gaylord boxes are strong and have a large capacity. This makes them great for transporting and storing many types of materials. They’re commonly used for:
- Bulk materials like grains, powders, and small parts
- Recycled materials and waste collection
- Large quantities of produce or manufactured goods
- Moving and storage applications
- Organization in warehouses and distribution centers
Conclusion
The term “Gaylord box” comes from the Gaylord Container Corporation. The company started making big, sturdy shipping containers in the early to mid-1900s. The name grew beyond its corporate roots due to acquisitions and changes in the industry. Now, it’s a common term for big containers used in shipping and storage.
Brand names can turn into generic terms when they mean the products they stand for.