Who does that?

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Can you name one corrugated converting facility that nearly tripled its sales over the past 5-6 years in what some have called the worst economy since the Great Depression? By the way, this growth did not come through plant consolidations or through big national account business.

It came from a 125,000-square-foot plant in Raleigh that was built in 1982, with 62 employees (11 temporary) and purchased by Pratt Industries in 1992. The plant is one of Pratt Industries Converting Division locations. Pratt is made up of 6 different divisions in the United States: Recycled, Mill, Corrugated, Converting, Display and Clean Energy.

My visit to Pratt began with a call to TAPPI member Roger Dooley of Stafford Cutting Dies, which supplies rotary and flatbed cutting dies as well as other tooling and training to the corrugated industry

I asked Roger, who's been with Stafford for 5 years, if he had some time to meet with me during my recent visits to North Carolina. He said that he could do better than that and asked me if I would like to tour one of his favorite customer's plants – the Pratt facility. Stafford, which was formed in 1991, has steadily added new capacity and equipment nearly every year since then. They have experienced sales growth of 30% over the past 2 years and currently employ 56 people. They already have 6 new hires in 2011.

Now back to Pratt. What a great group of people. They spent a great deal of time with me showing me around and telling me about the Pratt philosophy. Mike Keepers, General Manager, Jeff Bunner, Sales Manager, Brandt Gunther, Designer, Scott Strong, Technical Representative/Design and Tracy Stallings, Production Manager, all made me feel right at home during my visit. It is very easy to see why their business has grown so much with their Can-Do attitudes.

Mike Keepers shared the following about this plant: "Our service and quality are what set us apart. We've found our niche and focus on what we're good at. We don't try to be all things to all people. For instance we have the unique ability to manufacture a 2"x2"x2" blank to make a 6" box - one of the many different sizes we get out the door on a daily basis. We also offer 72-hour turn around as well as next-day releases. Plus, we use our own mills for 95% of our paper, and have narrowed our basis weights and can meet ECT with lighter grades. But the bottom line is our people. They really do make the difference. You cannot forget that your internal people are as important as the external people you deal with on a regular basis. This is something the entire Pratt company believes in. I'm proud to be a part of a Family Train that is on the right track and ahead of the curve."

For more information about Pratt go to www.prattindustries.com

For more information about Stafford go to www.gostafford.com

There are two types of people in our industry, TAPPI members and those who should be.

Until next time............ Larry