Caraustar Industries: The world of
work at a paper mill
By DeAnna Sinyard
It all started on July 10, 1938, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Ross Puette
started what would become one of the nation’s most successful paper mills
and paper recycling business -- Caraustar Industries. The company stands upon
a mission to respect their employees and customers and to consistently provide
products that exceed what their competition offers. This "mantra"
has made them millions of dollars in revenue and also made them number one in
recycled paperboard in the United States to date.
Toda,y the business has crossed borders into England and Mexico. At the present
there are 1,600 Caraustar employees in the United States and company income
has climbed from $93.8 million in 1980 to $240 million in the third quarter
of 2002. Thomas V. Brown, President and CEO of the company, has continued to
keep Puette’s dream alive.
One positive aspect of this company’s success is the amount of potential
waste paper that they put to reuse every day. In fact, there is a department
that focuses on one task: Retrieving waste paper and paper products from department
stores, grocery and specialty shops around the metro Charlotte area. This prevents
hundreds of tons of trash from going to the landfill every day. Caraustar uses
only paper that they have recycled themselves to make their famous paper products.
The company is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency and has been
consistent in meeting guidelines, according to one company source.
Not only is Caraustar friendly to the environment, they are friendly to employees.
Competitive wages are offered as well as exceptional benefits and a 401K. There
is always an opportunity for employees to advance in their position and to be
promoted. The healthcare needs of the employees are met by a program that absorbs
most of the healthcare costs to the benefit of the employee. There is a priority
in containing these costs so that employees need not worry about the increasing
price of healthcare.
Safety is also a top priority for Caraustar. Regular meetings are held before
every shift to remind every employee about the importance of safety and how
to perform their job in the safest way possible. The safety statistics are available
on a regular basis for all employees to reference. There are even generous incentives
to encourage employees to put safety first on their priority list.
Carauster also offers a scholarship program for dependents of employees as well
as their grandchildren. This gives the opportunity for an education that Caraustar
recognizes as a necessity in today’s world of competitive employee selection.
Many college students are on the way to a better career because of these scholarships.
Caraustar employees should rest easy knowing the company continues to grow and
increase its revenues. Every employee is considered an important asset to the
company, and everyone has an important job to do, with each job being essential
to the vitality of Caraustar’s success.
A Company that cares so much for its employees is hard to come by, and Caraustar
employs individuals who recognize this and appreciate it. The hiring process
is long and thorough, but the effort ensures a group of employees who will take
pride in their work. A fitness exam and a drug screening are one of the first
steps to employment with Caraustar. For the jobs that require a lot of specific
education and dedication, multiple interviews with different department heads
are necessary. Several reference checks follow. This may seem like a lot of
trouble to get employment, but the inconvenience is well worth being a part
of a company that continues to take care of its employees and provide the best
recycled paper products in the United States.
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Copyright © 2002 by DeAnna Sinyard. All rights reserved.
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