Britain: A Knock at Metal Box

Considering its position as the world's largest producer of metal containers, American Can Co. remains understandably red-faced over its abortive 1929 attempt to set up shop in Britain. That year the company established a British subsidiary—only to meet with an unexpected fate. Joining forces to fend off the challenger, British container companies merged into what came to be known as Metal Box Co. Ltd. and enlisted the technical assistance of American Can's chief U.S. rival, Continental Can Co. The combination proved so powerful that American Can, badly beaten, sold its local...