The ratings on Consolidated Container Company LLC are supported by the company's fair business risk profile as a producer of rigid plastic containers for a variety of consumer products, including dairy, water, foods, beverages, household and agricultural chemicals, and motor oil. Significant market shares in several categories, strategically located facilities (including numerous operations on site at customers' plants), and long-established relationships with key market customers provide some barriers to entry in this highly fragmented and competitive industry. End markets are mostly stable, but product diversity is limited and customer concentration is high. Recently, the company has faced unforeseen technical challenges, higher start-up costs, and resultant customer claim settlements related to new product introductions, through the second half of 2001. In
