From Fancy Packaging to Professional Football

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On March 11, 2010, I had the pleasure of touring some of the finest facilities that I have seen in a long time. The company I am referring to employs 3,145 people in the Southwestern United States and Northern Mexico, with projected revenues of $730 million for 2010. Its six Operating Divisions have 17 business segments as follows: High Graphics Corrugated, Brown Box Corrugated, Folding Carton/Label, Foam (extruding and converting), Commercial Products Distribution, Logistics & JIT Services, Retail & Creative Services, Fulfillment, Linerboard Mill, Medium Mill, Coating Operations, Fiber Supply, Converting, IPM, OCC Guard (V board edge protectors), Tooling, and Pallets.

Have you guessed who they are yet?

Our mystery company has two paper mills in Forney, Texas, and a total of 10 Recycling Centers located in Colorado, Arizona, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas. It operates a corrugated and folding carton converting plant and sheet feeder in City of Industry, Calif. It also has four distribution centers and seven converting plants located in Northern Mexico.

The company is a perennial winner in packaging competitions, as well as TAPPI's bi-annual CorrPak Competition, picking up several awards at each competition. (Mike Walker is our contact for entries in packaging competitions, if you are interested.)

This company supplies all United States Postal Service shipping containers west of the Mississippi River. From brown boxes and highly complex graphics to direct printing that looks like a label and UV coatings, this company stands out from the crowd. It is currently 85% integrated, with plans of increasing that percentage in 2010.

Our mystery organization started three green field operations in 2009 and grew by 6.3% that year. How many companies can say such during these uncertain economic times?

Well, if you have not figured who I've been talking about by now, the company is Orange County Container Group (OCCG) LLC.

I was able to tour OCCG's converting plant and Performance Sheets, both located in City of Industry, Calif. Performance Sheets supplies 40% of its output to OCCG, and 60% to outside converters. I will tell you that its quality, customer service, and JIT systems set them apart from many competitors.

My hosts for this tour were Michael Crosson, president of Performance Sheets, and Joe Edwards, process improvement manager. Joe had recently attended a TAPPI corrugated course in Norcross. My hosts from OCCG, who took time away from their very busy schedules were: Greg Hall, president, Packaging Division; Michael Feterik, CEO; David Ortiz, senior vice president, Sales & Marketing; Kevin Feterik, general manager; and Tarek Saduddin, director, Sales & Customer Service.

Oh yes, I nearly forgot the football tie in! Kevin Feterik was a star quarterback for the Brigham Young Cougars from 1996-1999. He then went on to play with the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League and later finished his football career playing in Italy. Did I mention that Michael Feterik owned the Calgary Stampeders when they won the Grey Cup in 2001? Ask him to show you his championship ring! These folks are a very humble group. If you meet them, you have to ask about such successes because they don't bring them up.

If you would like more information on Orange County Container Group LLC, go to www.orangecountycontainer.com.

If you would like more information on TAPPI, please go to www.tappi.org.

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

Until next time - Larry