Rich Eisenberg grew up in New York during the Apollo era—a time of big dreams and even bigger questions. One specific event from 1969 always stayed with him: the sight of the Cuyahoga River catching fire. Seeing a river go up in flames sparked a lifelong focus on protecting the environment and a genuine drive to help people.
As the youngest of six kids, Rich learned early on how to work with others, take the lead, and roll with the punches. He brought that grit into the business world, starting as a sales trainee at just 16 years old and eventually opening Interstate Products, Inc. (IPI) in Sarasota, Florida, back in 1996.
When the internet started changing how we buy and sell, Rich moved IPI quickly into digital marketing and e-commerce. He adopted and learned how to build websites, and work within search engines.Today, IPI works with major industries all over the map, including railroads, oil companies, airports, real estate organizations, the U.S. military, and emergency response teams. By building out IPI’s international shipping and export program, Rich created a supply network that reaches around the world.
IPI has been active in the Middle East since the early 2000s. During the first Iraq war, besides providing Containment Berms as well as water and fuel bladders, the Military reached out to see if the company could recommend a specialized coating to protect equipment from the harsh sand, and Rich's team provided on the spot technical information. When the oil spill in the Gulf happened, Interstate was right there providing cleanup materials and specialty custom tanks. When the tsunami hit Japan, Rich was on the phone walking coordinators through different water bladder options and applications to help store contaminated waters. Whether they end up supplying a product or simply sharing their expertise to guide a solution, they always try to help. It is a very unique way to run a company.
A Focus on Action
For Rich, business and life are about getting things done, not just having a title. At the company, the spirit is action counts more than titles. Since the early 2000s, he and the IPI team have been on the front lines of major disasters. Starting with Hurricane Katrina, they’ve sent out fuel bladders, water tanks, and spill berms to the places that need them most. From the 2010 Gulf Oil Spill to Hurricane Harvey and the major storms that hit Florida and the Carolinas, Rich has stepped in to manage overnight emergency shipments himself or expedited shipments on a regular basis.
This work reaches far outside the U.S. as well. During 2025 Hurricane Melissa, IPI teamed up with relief groups to help get local services back on their feet.
“The large Onion Tank and the smaller 500-gallon bladders from Interstate Products have been a total lifeline,” says Deika Morrison, Director of Operations for GEM Caribbean (Global Empowerment Mission) in 2026. “They are essential for clean water and making sure hospital work can continue.”
Whether he’s personally offloading and moving thousands of cases of disinfectant for clients during the pandemic, or coordinating deliveries of specialized white glove delivery safety cabinets so Social Security offices could store sanitizers properly and stay open, Rich is always hands-on. When manufacturing rules changed rapidly during COVID, he worked directly with facilities to find the right storage setups to keep them safe and in full compliance. Instead of staying inside, Rich and the IPI team were on the move, delivering critical decontamination products and adapting instantly to the emergency.
This commitment to staying ahead of the curve is why IPI keeps looking for better ways to serve customers. Rich has continually pushed for better digital support tools, helping the company earn a 4.8-star rating from over 4,500 real reviews. IPI was also one of the first in their field to introduce a live chat button in 2018 before it became widely accepted on their website to provide instant, real-time help.
Innovation and Real Trust
To help customers keep up with changing rules, Rich in 2026 became an individual member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). This gives him a direct look at new safety codes for handling flammable liquids and lithium battery storage. Plus, IPI’s membership in the Spill Control Association of America (SCAA) keeps the whole team up to speed on new laws and better containment methods.
With decades of experience, an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, and membership in the Chamber of Commerce, Rich Eisenberg and his team are always a phone call away.
"At Interstate Products, we’re more than just a supplier. We’re a partner in safety. We use our years of experience to find the right solution for every job. We love helping people, and if that ever stops working, then we would need to come up with a different plan.” — Rich Eisenberg.
What Clients Have to Say
Check out our Google Business Profile for more stories like these:
• On Disaster Relief: "Rich Eisenberg deserves a lot of credit for donating a water tank to the Jamaica United Relief Assn. (JURA). His leadership shows how a business can make a real difference when resources are tight." — Len J. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• On Expert Advice & Savings: "I talked to Rich and, after asking a few questions, he pointed me toward a product that fit my project better, was in stock, and cost half as much! He cared more about getting me what I actually needed than just making a sale." — Michael H. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• On Compliance & Support: "Rich reached out while I was on the IPI site. He sent over all the data I needed to get our sites up to code and helped manage shipping to several different states. He is always responsive." — Rebecca⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
• On Expert Advice & Savings: "I give Interstate products 5 out of 5-star rating. I was recently involved in a project that required extra-large, custom made portable secondary containment. I found that Rich was very knowledgeable on a variety of containment materials and applications. He took the time to educate me on all the available options and helped me design the perfect containment solution to fit my needs. Throughout the entire process he was very responsive and accommodating. Interstate Products delivered a very high-quality product and was able to exceed expectations on lead time. Even after the sale customer service was outstanding! What more could you ask for?"—Josh D. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"At Interstate Products, we’re more than just a supplier. We’re a partner in safety. We use our years of experience to find the right solution for every job. We love helping people, and if that ever stops working, then we would need to come up with a different plan.” — Rich Eisenberg, Founder
Plus, IPI’s membership in the Spill Control Association of America (SCAA) keeps the whole team up to speed on new laws and better containment methods. Interstate utilizes a deep network that includes many of the large brands in safety, facilities and material management. They combine that with specialized custom shops to create a deep supply of product solution solutions and application experiences.
Check out our Google Business Profile to view all our reviews and more like these!
