True to its Wisconsin roots, Tosca Limited was founded in 1958 to re-condition 55 gallon cheese barrels for a major food manufacturer.  These returnable containers were used in the closed loop delivery of bulk natural cheese from production plants to cheese processing locations.  Although the cheese barrel was innovative for its time, it was eventually eclipsed by a new concept in process and distribution packaging for the industry- the 640 Cheese Container.  However, with every advance in returnable container technology, new challenges are presented.  And Tosca has been working with the cheese industry to fully realize the potential of the 640 Cheese Container, since its introduction.

The 640 Cheese Container was custom-designed to serve as a manufacturing, storage, and shipping tool that would also aid in processing the finished consumer product.  It was conventional practice in the industry to produce a 40 pound block of cheese, but the 640 Cheese Container facilitated collation; 16 – 40# blocks per container.  Not only are handling and packaging costs reduced by adopting this container, trim waste is substantially decreased at cheese processing facilities, as well.

From the initial launch of the 640 Cheese Container, Tosca was positioned to provide the rigorous sorting, cleaning, wood panel re-waxing, and frame stripping/repainting services required after every use to assure consistent quality, and security for all players in the industry. Tosca actively participated in the development of these Guidelines, and in gaining their eventual approval as Industry Standards by USDA and WDATCP.

View a video clip of the 640's in action! >High Quality (high speed connection) >Streaming  (dial up connection)

Tosca's purchase of 60,000 Cheese Containers in 1994 brought a national solution to availability and quality issues caused by a lack of professional management.  The system Tosca put in place also ensures that each container is compliant with NCI, USDA, and WDATCP regulations.

Today, Tosca Limited owns a fleet of 325,000 640 Cheese Containers, and provides reconditioning services for the 150,000 container fleet owned by a major customer.  The bottom line is this: Tosca owns, rents and reconditions the 'lowest cost for highest value' Approved Container for the cheese industry.  It's a perfect case of delivering the right product, in the right condition, at the right time.  Need we say more?