11 minute read
TOMORROW’S TAKE
mentoring programs, valuable mentoring was still happening. “As a kitchen manager at Robert Morris University School of Culinary Arts, I had a wonderful supervisor that spent a lot of time teaching me the ‘why’ behind certain processes,” she says, “including me on particular projects and helping me learn to communicate more effectively with the chefs and faculty we worked with. At Corrugated Supplies, my supervisor is a fantastic mentor as well. He takes the time to help me think through how to solve certain problems, gives suggestions for improving my communication and clarity, and keeps me engaged with projects that help me learn and develop my skill sets.”
In addition, she says, “My co-workers are very knowledgeable and are happy to share information about their processes, best practices, and advice.”
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Avoiding the Pitfalls
For companies overseeing their own mentoring initiatives, Ellis has some words of caution. “Not every successful professional makes a successful mentor,” he says. “Folks who are called upon to mentor are usually pretty busy; otherwise, no one would be interested in them. So, they have to be particularly motivated to want to mentor and invest the time and energy required. They also need to want to share the knowledge and insight they have without feeling like they’re giving away their secrets or putting their own careers at risk.”
It is also important that mentors understand the differences between mentoring and, say, teaching or a collegial friendship. Effective mentoring relationships are unlike these other relationships in that they work best when information and guidance flow one way. “Other relationships are supposed to be mutual,” he says, with a natural give-and-take that flows between parties.
That’s not the case when it comes to mentoring. “With mentoring, the mentor is there to support the mentee. As a mentor, you might divulge something about yourself—just like a coach or therapist might—but you never forget that you’re there for the sake of the one you’re mentoring.”
Because of the nuances involved in managing this kind of relationship, Ellis believes it can be helpful to bring in a third party to work with mentors and mentees. “In part, that’s what I do for a living—and it’s a significant part of my work with AICC’s EL program,” he says. “I’m not trying to lead the relationship. I just want the participants to consider things they might not have thought about if they’ve never been involved in mentoring before. If they haven’t mentored somebody or been mentored themselves, they don’t know what can go wrong, how to establish boundaries, and what will help it to be effective.”
Empowering Future Leaders
Malone believes one of the best things mentors can do is to share their vision with the people they mentor and provide opportunities to become more involved. “Include mentees in meetings, projects, and tours whenever possible, so they can listen,” she says. “Just being involved and observing the way particular discussions or projects are handled goes such a long way and helps mold their own skill set. Also, it’s key to listen to their goals and interests and identify ways to help incorporate those within their job function.”
For those seeking to get the most from being mentored, she advises, “Listen, take notes, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to ask to get involved. The worst answer you can get is no, and I think you’d be surprised at how rarely that happens. At the end of the day, initiative is what will set you apart. If you are willing to listen and learn, you will see a lot of value out of mentoring.”
In the end, mentoring—no matter how it’s accomplished—can be a valuable differentiator for any boxmaker. “Retaining good talent is a challenge,” says Malone. “Empowering your young professionals to learn more about the industry, participate in industry networking and training events, and expand their network will be a win both for the employee and your company.”
For information on the AICC Emerging Leaders program, visit www. aiccbox.org/page/leader.
Robert Bittner is a Michigan-based freelance journalist and a frequent BoxScore contributor.
AICC looks to its Emerging Leaders for insight into how to attract and retain workers
By Steve Young
Arecurring theme has been repeated in our industry in the first half of this year: “I can’t find workers for my production floor.” Indeed, in a survey of AICC members conducted last November, 51% of respondents reported having six to 10 vacant positions in their companies, while another 25% reported 11 or more openings. In an industry seeing demand for its products grow by more than 5% year over year, the scarcity of workers is straining the ability to keep up with customer demands and on-time deliveries.
According to the Manufacturing Institute, an arm of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), as of June 30, there were 851,000 unfilled manufacturing jobs in the United States. What’s more, the institute projected that between 2021 and 2030, 4.1 million manufacturing jobs will become available, but only 2.1 million will be filled at current employment rates. These alarming statistics are provoking serious soul-searching in both boardrooms and lunchrooms around the country and prompting many people in the box business to ask, “What can the corrugated industry do to attract and retain more workers?”
To help answer this question, BoxScore turned to representatives of AICC’s Emerging Leaders (EL) group to get their take on how to address this issue. After all, if the Manufacturing Institute’s figures are correct, it is our industry’s up-and-coming leaders who, in the years ahead, will be at the forefront of recruiting workers to our industry and implementing company culture and policy to retain them. We asked a series of questions to establish a simple premise: The corrugated and related paper-based packaging industries are interesting and necessary to our distribution system, and they provide stable, rewarding career paths for those who work in them. If this is true, what should the industry be doing to entice more workers, and how will we retain them?
Here are the questions and responses we received.
Chase Haddon, Packaging-Atlanta Jordan Dawson, Harris Packaging
Alex Cohen, Acme Corrugated Box Co. Lauren Frisch, Wasatch Container
Tom Murphy, Reliable Container Brock Welch, Welch Packaging
Andrew Bell, Packaging Express Drew Breier, Jamestown Container Cos.
Why do you like working in the corrugated/folding carton/rigid box industry?
Jordan Dawson, customer service representative at Harris Packaging in Haltom City, Texas, says, “I love how there is always something new to learn. It seems like every day there is something new that I learn, whether it’s a new style of box, a finishing process, or even machine capabilities.”
Chase Haddon agrees. He’s in sales service at Packaging-Atlanta in Canton, Georgia, and says, “It is a very interesting industry, and not one day is ever the same. The opportunities are endless.” He also likes that he’s working in a family business: “I also get to work alongside my family, which, of course, has its ups and downs, but it keeps things fun!”
“Relevance” resonates with Brock Welch of Welch Packaging in Elkhart, Indiana. “As the world innovates, consumer patterns shift more toward e-commerce; we’re still working in a relevant industry and one that will be required,” he says.
Tom Murphy, director of marketing at Reliable Container in Addison, Illinois, says, “It is an ‘under the radar’ industry; I would go so far as to say that it’s an ‘eccentric’ industry, which fits my personality.” Murphy laments that “not too many outside the industry understand or appreciate [the process] that [delivers] a package to your front door. To the normal citizen, boxes are ubiquitous, but the packaging industry is invisible.”
At Acme Corrugated Box Co. in Hatboro, Pennsylvania, Alex Cohen appreciates the family nature of the business and the environmental advantages of paper-based packaging: “For me, corrugated was the family industry. I believe my passion revolves more around the idea of manufacturing in general; taking relatively basic and sustainable raw materials and then turning them into a profitable product is very rewarding and thought-provoking to see.”
Stable, rewarding careers are what animate Lauren Frisch’s excitement about working in the box business. “I love working in the corrugated box industry due to the endless career opportunities. Any position within the business—finance, design, manufacturing, sales, marketing, and executive leadership—are all available in the packaging industry,” she says. Frisch, who is general manager of Wasatch Container’s Box Essentials division in North Salt Lake, Utah, also serves as an EL delegate on AICC’s board of directors. She cites the satisfaction of seeing a packaging project through from beginning to end: “The excitement of producing packaging from the initial design phase, seeing it being manufactured through your plant, then physically seeing it in the grocery store is one of the most rewarding aspects of my personal job.”
Drew Breier, account manager for Jamestown Container Cos.’ Cleveland division in Macedonia, Ohio, likes the diversity of business within the industry. “One of my favorite parts of this industry is seeing and learning all the other industries we serve and are vendors for. Sometimes it amazes me the customers we serve,” he says.
Finally, as senior account executive at Packaging Express in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Andrew Bell likes the people aspect of the business. “You can’t sell a box over the phone! I enjoy meeting with our customers and colleagues in person every day,” he says.
What do you wish everyone knew about our industry?
If the corrugated and paperboard industries are largely “under the radar,” as Murphy explains, what would our group of AICC members want others to know about it?
EMERGING LEADERS
The EmergingLeaders (ELs) program isa seriesoftraining, networkingand leadership opportunities, designedtoprovide ambitious young professionals withthe opportunities they needtobecomereliablefutureleaders intheir company and the industry.
Who is an
Emerging Leader?
ELs are lessthan 5years old and are employedbyanAICC memberorassociate member company. These are young professionals thatmay benew to the industryorare looking for networking, mentoring and professional development opportunities withother top talentinthe industry.
Thisisa well-respected program withinthe AICC, thatintroducesELs toa vast network ofindustry professionals, while developinga deeper understanding ofthe industryand offeringELs opportunities tolearn and growtheir leadershipskills.
Gain Valuable E perien e
Eachyear, ELs are invited to attenda "fieldtrip" ina new location, which includesplant tours, networkingeventsand trainings. Quarterly C-suite webinars, eventsand trainings are offered in-person and virtually ata minimal e pense (normally lessthan $500per year). Participation isbased off youravailabilty and budget. Professional
Development
Our Mission
To encourage, engage, and support young professionals in the paper and packaging industry as they find their voice, grow their network, and develop vital skills to create value within their industry, company and career.
Interested in joining? Visit us at AICCbox.org/Leader for more informaton!
“I wish everyone knew that manufacturing is sexy!” says Cassi Malone, customer service manager at Corrugated Supplies in Bedford Park, Illinois. “I’m kidding, but really, while manufacturing and the corrugated industry can get a reputation for being ‘stale’ or an ‘old boys club,’ that is changing. Young professionals, both men and women, are rising up and bringing new technology, ideas, and management styles with them and are looking to foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and growth.” Malone, who also serves as an EL delegate on AICC’s board of directors, praises the stability of the industry: “Even though other industries such as hospitality and technology can seem enticing, manufacturing offers a stability that was especially evident throughout the pandemic. With the e-commerce boom, corrugated packaging is essential!”
Frisch, for her part, says, “Manufacturing is financially rewarding! You can have a phenomenal career and work-life balance in the packaging manufacturing industry. It is always changing and progressing as an industry, as new technologies and machines are always being invented to make our plants more innovative and efficient.”
Cohen also appreciates the role plant automation plays in making the industry an interesting place to build a career: “I wish more people knew about the intricacy of making a box. How far the industry has come in terms of technology is quite amazing. If you walked through a plant 20 years ago, it was a much more manual process on all fronts. Today, so long as the owners are willing to innovate, the advancements are there: automatic pre-feeders, robotic load-formers, safety-blue mesh conveyors, high-rack automatic work-in-process systems, etc.”
“I wish everyone knew how much work, time, and effort goes into packaging,” says Haddon. “I don’t think everyone realizes that packaging is a science and how much goes on behind the scenes to produce a good-looking product, even if it is recycled after a one-time use.”
Welch thinks the diversity of the industry’s products is little understood among the industry’s customers and consumers. “The different facets of our industry make it ‘diverse,’” he says. “From supply chain challenges to the more attractive aspects of single-face laminating, litho labels, and POP displays, to digital printing, our industry is very diverse and broad in scope.”
—Chase Haddon, sales service, Packaging Atlanta
