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Our History

Since 1939, we have filled billions of aerosol cans for
thousands of customers.

A Retrospective of Our History

1939

PLZ Corp dates back to 1939 with the founding of Plaze Incorporated by John Ferring III with the invention of Plastic Auto Glaze Polish, the “magical” auto polish in a shaker can. This ‘magical’ car polish was known as Plaze, named after its ingredients including a plastic, a resin, and a glaze.

PLZ history manufacturing facility compare/contrast
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Pioneers of the
First Aerosol
Glass Cleaner

1947

In 1947, the U.S. Government grants Plaze Inc. one of the first licenses to manufacture aerosol products. Another company to receive one of the first aerosol licenses was Claire Manufacturing which would later become part of the PLZ Corp family.

Sprayway, a Claire Manufacturing brand, introduces Sprayway Glass Cleaner, the first aerosol glass cleaner for the consumer market.

 

A New Technology

1948

After World War II, Ferring saw the market potential for the new, emerging aerosol technology. In true entrepreneurial spirit, John Ferring used this new aerosol technology to develop and create the first aerosol car polish out of his Plastic Auto Glaze Polish and named it Plastel. Each can of Plastel car polish was made one at a time.

black and white photo demonstrating sprayway glass cleaner on vehicle windshield

Sprayway Demonstrators – 1947

woman applying lipstick in front of mirror

Sprayway Store Display – 1947

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Change of Course

1952

In the early 1950s, in addition to developing Plaze brand products, the company began focusing on being a contract filler. As the contract filling business grew, their needs did as well. Plaze outgrew their original facility and built a plant in the Watson Industrial Park in St. Louis where the company continued to manufacture products until 1993 when all operations moved to Plaze’s ten-acre St. Clair, Missouri location.

A New Chapter

1978

A new chapter in Plaze history began in 1978 when John Ferring IV began shepherding the company with just 12 employees producing 3.3 million cans. Ferring aggressively looked for new business opportunities and over the next eight years, successfully brought in new customers that spurred the growth of the company, including Midco Products (Gumout), The Clayton Corporation (Touch ‘N Foam), Parway (Vegalene), Masterchem (Kilz) and Heartland (Spot Shot).

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Plz Aeroscience Corporation logo

PLZ Holding Corp Formed

2005

To remain competitive in a changing market, Plaze acquired Claire Manufacturing and Sprayway Inc. and formed PLZ Holding Corporation. PLZ also formed the Retail Division in 2005 marketing its World’s Best Cleaner and developing a full line of high-quality cleaning products for the home under the brand Sprayway.  The acquisition was critical to the future of the company and resulted in reaching 96.5 million cans. In just 25 years, the company grew from producing 3 million cans to 100 million annually.

Generic shaping spray bottles

A Billion Cans Produced

2010

In 2010, 60 years after filling the first Plastel Auto Glaze Polish can by hand, PLZ reached a billion cans mark. PLZ Holding Corporation is renamed PLZ Aeroscience with the acquisition of CPC Aeroscience. CPC continues to serve niche markets, particularly the industrial maintenance, specialty, and heavy-duty industrial maintenance markets with products such as industrial lubricants, safety solvents, and greases.

An Aerosol and Liquid Manufacturing Leader

2018

Between 2010-2018 PLZ acquired several companies, including Camie-Campbell, K-G Spray-Pak, Maid Brands, Assured Packaging, Apollo Technologies, Follmer Development, Par-way Tryson, and Penray. Granite Packaging and Shield Packaging of California joined the PLZ family of companies, strengthening the company’s presence and capabilities in custom products for the Personal Care, Hair Care, Food, and OTC Drug markets. Today, PLZ is a recognized leader in the aerosol industry providing expertise in contract filling for national and international companies.

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A New Identity

2022

PLZ refreshed its brand to better reflect its position as a market leader. From PLZ Aeroscience to PLZ Corp. This new logo and name will unite our brand with the PLZ vision statement – to become the partner of choice. The logo will still feature our PLZ blue and have the old PLZ feel, but with a twist to reflect our more modern, innovative, and sophisticated identity.

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