This transition from a student intern to a professional was fueled by a unique level of investment from Pratt’s leadership. Sean found more than just a supervisor in his General Manager; he found a mentor. This relationship remained a constant even after the internship ended, providing a seamless bridge into his full-time career. It is this culture of responsive leadership—where senior staff are tuned into the growth of the individual—that allowed Sean to build what he calls a "bank of knowledge" that he still pulls from today.

Now serving as a Technical Sales Representative, Sean’s role is the perfect culmination of that early cross-departmental training. His primary responsibility is serving as the Single Point of Contact (SPOC) between Pratt’s manufacturing sites and his customers. It is a position that requires a deep understanding of how every department works together toward a common goal. Because Pratt invested in his training early on, Sean doesn't just manage a supply chain; he manages relationships with the expertise of someone who has seen the process from every angle. His journey from an intern with a specific interest in design to a professional who serves as the vital link between production and the customer is a hallmark of the Pratt Intern Program’s success.

The transition from student to professional can often feel like a leap of faith, but for Ahmea, the landing was softened by the support of Pratt’s leadership. Supervisors and mentors empowered her by providing a deep understanding of the business, rather than just a list of tasks. They encouraged her to ask the "why" behind the "how," providing a bridge that allowed her to move confidently from a learning phase into a leadership mindset. Thanks to this mentorship, she accepted her full time offer ready to navigate an industry and role she knew well.

Reflecting on this growth, Ahmea notes: “Transitioning from an intern to a full-time team member at Pratt has been an incredibly rewarding journey. My internship was well-rounded and hands-on, but what truly resonated with me was the power of data within the organization. The opportunity to float between different departments allowed me to learn operations from all facets of the company, making it a seamless transition into my full-time role.”

Ahmea’s career revolved once again as she transitioned from her role as a CSR into her current position as a Sales Representative. This moves allows her to leverage the technical precision and human connection she developed during her time in customer services.

Because of that early exposure, she stepped into her new position with a deep understanding of how Pratt operates as a whole. As a sales representative, she can now put the knowledge gained in customer service to use to better respond to customer and plant needs, ensuring work flows smoothly while managing high-level expectations. ,

She understands that being a good sales representative isn't just taking orders. They are the connective tissue between the customer’s needs and the plant’s capacity. Every time she processes a complex request or manages an inventory shift, she is turning those early cross-departmental insights into real-world action, proving that at Pratt, an internship is the foundation for a career that moves as fast as the machines themselves.

Tristan began as a temporary associate in the Maintenance department, gaining immediate exposure to the mechanical operations of the plant. This early, hands-on immersion provided a unique foundation for her eventual move into Human Resources, offering a perspective that is rare in the field. Her time working alongside the technical teams built a deep-seated respect for the day-to-day realities of the plant floor, an experience that now informs many of the decisions she makes. When she eventually transitioned into an HR internship, she brought with her a ground-level understanding of the people she was tasked to support, transforming her into a bridge between the workforce and the front office.

A culture of internal mobility and talent recognition turned Tristan’s internship into a springboard for her career. Tristan’s ascent from a college graduate to an HR Generalist, and ultimately to her current role as an HR Manager in Vandalia, OH, was fueled by a combination of mentorship and hands-on training.

“I have gained invaluable, hands-on experience that has furthered my career,” Tristan explains. “I truly enjoy learning about this industry and would not be where I am today without the opportunities provided by Pratt.” This steady growth is testament to Pratt’s supportive culture, which provided the guidance necessary for her to master the complexities of industrial personnel management in just a few short years.

Today, Tristan’s role is central to the health of the facility, where she applies her technical background to the nuances of people operations. Because she knows what it's like to walk into the plant as a temporary associate, she possesses a keen eye for identifying candidates who will thrive in the Pratt culture. She doesn't just look for resumes; she looks for the same drive and curiosity that fueled her own journey. Tristan remains grounded in the gratitude of her beginnings, proving that at Pratt, the path to the manager's office can start anywhere.

Learn more about opportunities for students and graduates. 

The leaders at the Raleigh plant intentionally foster a culture where collaboration is a core part of the daily operation. Jeremy found that his growth accelerated because his supervisors and mentors empowered him with the true ownership of his work, going far beyond standard assignments. This supportive environment provided a vital bridge to his full-time role, offering him a safety net to ask difficult questions while pushing him to lead.

As Jeremy puts it, “Pratt gave me the opportunity to learn, ask questions, and take ownership of real projects. That hands-on experience helped me build confidence, develop new skills, and better understand how my work directly impacts the business.” By the time his internship drew to a close, the transition to a permanent member of the team felt less like a leap into the unknown and more like a natural progression of the work he was already mastering.

Today, as a Sales Representative, Jeremy navigates the competitive landscape of the Carolinas with the poise of a veteran, leveraging the deep industry knowledge he established during his internship. “My internship at Pratt gave me hands-on experience and real responsibility, which made the transition to full-time feel seamless,” he reflects.

Having spent months working in the plant, Jeremy sells the reliability of the teams he knows personally. When meeting a prospective client, he draws on the fundamental insights he gained to demonstrate the synergy between departments, speaking with a depth that goes far beyond a standard script.

“It gave me a full picture of how everything comes together,” Jeremy says, “and helped me better understand how each department plays a role in the overall operation.” That deep-seated knowledge of the inner workings of Pratt is exactly what allows him to build trust with customers, giving him the technical authority that only comes from firsthand experience with the production process.

Leadership’s Commitment to Safety
Safe practices are valued at every level of our operations, from top executives to our frontline employees.

Jimmy Sandford, General Manager at Grand Rapids, MI converting plant shared, “We utilize data tracking initiatives to pinpoint opportunities for improvement. This transparency guides safety-minded decision making and better aligns employees with the desire to eliminate unnecessary risk.”

These types of safety resources help ensure managers have the tools necessary to foster a thriving safety culture.

Randy Whiteaker, General Manager of Humboldt, TN corrugating plant utilizes the “Eyes on Safety” program to keep his employees engaged.

Employees begin their jobs with several days of orientation, followed by an observation-only period on the production floor, gradually taking on more responsibility as they demonstrate proper procedures. Safety guidelines are continuously reinforced through prominent displays in production areas and regular discussions and safety meetings.

“It seems simple, but doing the right thing every day is a huge part of what we believe in at Humboldt and at Pratt across our organization,” said Whiteaker.

“As a plant, we believe talk is cheap and action is everything. While we talk about safety every shift, we believe it is imperative that our folks see us living the safety culture every day. We don’t just enforce it, we live it.”

This approach has paid off greatly for the Humboldt team who received Pratt’s internal Safety Excellence Award that recognizes plants for consistent high safety performance.

Employee Investment in Safety

While our leaders drive safety, employee involvement is key. Each location has a Site Safety Committee made up of employees from various departments within the plant. These committees meet regularly to discuss current safety initiatives, recent incidents and best practices.

Safety Committees help identify necessary training for plant employees, which ranges from role-specific protocols to general plant-wide procedures and vital skills like CPR training. The committees also actively encourage employees to suggest additional training recommendations, keeping our safety education relevant and proactive.

Additionally, our monthly employee newsletter serves as a resource to share best practices, safety improvements and safety awards received for reaching milestones. These efforts, and others, ensure that employees throughout the organization are informed about the latest safety processes and best practices, including the utilization of dock line reflectors and Lockout/Tagout procedures.

Ultimately, safety at Pratt Industries is a deeply embedded value, driven by dedicated leadership and reinforced by every employee. Through continuous training, data-driven insights and proactive communication, we cultivate a culture where safety is paramount for everyone, every single day.

This summer, we spoke to a few of our interns to learn more about their experiences and what drew them to Pratt. Many of our interns shared that they took a position with Pratt to apply their classroom learning to real-world challenges, while others aimed to explore corrugated packaging and sustainability. This mix of goals led to valuable experiences, blending academic knowledge with practical industry insights.

“I wanted to hone in on what I might be interested in doing full time after school,” said Gavin Roby, Industrial Engineering Intern with Pratt Retail in Hebron, KY. “I knew that since Pratt is a large company with multiple divisions, I could gain insight into plenty of different applications of my degree, as well as find what might be more or less appealing to me as a career.”

Ray Toma, Mechanical Engineering Intern at our paper mill in Conyers, GA agreed and noted that he was able to apply what he’s learned in school to the paper making and corrugated packaging processes.

“From a mechanical engineering standpoint, I learned how a paper machine functions, including its air and steam systems and components,” said Toma. “It was interesting to see how each of the engineers in the mill managed their own parts of the system by combining information they gained in school with lessons that they’ve learned working in the mill for so many years. I definitely saw some of what I’m learning in college being used on these machines.”

Olivia Smith, Marketing Intern in Atlanta, GA shared that her experience in the company’s Marketing Department gave her insights into how a relatively small department can work together to support a large organization.

“Being a part of the creative process and marketing team meetings taught me that a team, where everyone’s unique strengths are utilized, leads to greater productivity and creativity,” shared Smith. “When team members work on projects they’re passionate about, it results in better assets and more effective support for other departments. These meetings also taught me a lot about how to successfully work together as a team to get important things done efficiently.”

Maya Slobin, Sustainability and Government Affairs Intern for Pratt Corporate, agreed that gaining more experience in her field was important as she looked for a summer internship. Specifically, she was interested in working for a company focused on corporate sustainability.

“Pratt’s genuine commitment to sustainability inspired me. In a world where greenwashing is becoming increasingly prominent, Pratt’s close-the-loop system and 100% recycled containerboard stood out to me,” said Slobin. “I could tell that this is a company whose efforts were not surface-level. The opportunity to take part in sustainability and government affairs work, including extensive research of Extended Producer Responsibility regulations and the developing legislation related to waste management, gave me the chance to learn from and support a company with inspiring values.”

While gaining hands-on experience in their specific fields was a primary draw for our interns, another significant benefit of our program is the opportunity to explore and understand various roles across the company. This exposure not only helps them appreciate the broader scope of the corrugated packaging industry but also opens doors to career paths they might not have previously considered.

“I learned how interconnected the teams can be,” said Zack Paynter, Sales Support Intern with Pratt Retail in Atlanta, GA. “For example, sometimes I helped the sales team by setting up products in our warehouse, while other days I worked with the cold chain team by tracking orders, deliveries, and other metrics. No two days were the same!”

Jeremy Deller, Process Improvement Intern with Pratt Converting in Greenville, SC shared a similar experience to Paynter, noting, “Learning all the different aspects of the company has been extremely interesting. I have been able to spend a few days with members of our design, customer service, scheduling, sales and production teams to gain insights into their roles. I’ve enjoyed learning how each of these teams work together to produce corrugated packaging.”

“Working in the corrugated packaging industry and specifically interning at Pratt is an experience unlike any other,” said Kyle Colton, Mechanical Engineering Intern, Pratt Retail, Vandalia, OH. “There are many different departments throughout the company with positions from sales to engineering that really allow you to get a wide range of professional experiences.”

Emily Manuel, Office Intern at our paper mill in Wapakoneta, OH agreed, noting, “I would definitely recommend an internship at Pratt. The program is built to foster growth and prepare you for a successful career.”

“We must know where every project is at any given time to keep things moving efficiently,” says Brandy Hilley, customer service manager at our corrugator in Conyers, GA. “Our customers and team members rely on us.”

The responsibilities of local customer service teams are vast and include operational and customer specific knowledge. The role is integrated into the full process, from order entry and manufacturing to delivery, so that customer service representatives are able to be advocates for their customers, helping to ensure accuracy, timeliness and an overall satisfactory experience.

“I check on my customer orders as soon as I walk in each day and know exactly where they are in our plant,” says Abby Fjeldberg, a representative at our Albert Lea, MN plant. “If I get a shipping question, I usually don’t have to go ask the shipping manager. I already know the answer because they’ve kept me updated on the status.”

“One of the things that really makes us stand out is the speed to customers in everything we do,” says Chaise Brackey, another Albert Lea representative. “Whether that is producing cartons or boxes or responding to emails, speed to customers, being responsive and proactively communicating, is a top priority.”

Customer service teams attribute their proximity to the production floor and operational team members to their ability to respond quickly and accurately to customers.

“We are able to be very nimble in processing orders and responding to customer requests,” says Ashleigh Markham, customer service manager at Pratt’s Rockwall, TX location. “I am located in the building where the boxes are being made and can literally walk into the plant and discuss an order with a member of any team from design to shipping. I do not have to work through layers of people and phone calls to get answers.”

Another top priority for teams is to understand their customers’ goals and to create a collaborative relationship where they can offer proactive solutions.

“We really get to know our customers and to understand their business needs,” said Nikki Pinkerton, manager of the customer service team in Park City, KS. “This familiarity builds a sense of trust that they can rely on us to produce their products as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Brackey agrees, “We’ve had a number of customers who have been with us for years. They appreciate the quality and sustainability of our products, but they also value the personal relationships that we have. They know that they can call me directly with questions, concerns or new requests, and our team will work our hardest to get them the answers and products they need.”

According to Payton Buck, a representative from Rockwall, TX, having relationships with customers helps the team anticipate new product needs, questions they may have and other issues before they occur.

“I really enjoy the relationships that I’ve built with my customers,“ said Buck. “It helps me to stay one step ahead of what they may need and keeps things moving smoothly and efficiently.”

Molly Jones, a representative in Rockwall, TX, sums up the role well, “Our focus is to continually improve what we do so that our customers receive top quality packaging in an efficient manner.”

In this series, we feature employees who began as interns and now have thriving careers at Pratt. Each shares his or her insights and advice on interning with as well as transitioning from student to professional.

Packaging designers at Pratt Industries bring to life a variety of custom packaging solutions for a number of industries including consumer goods, e-commerce, food and beverage, automotive, agriculture, retailers and many others. Amelia Bullins got a first-hand glimpse into the creative and functional projects that our packaging designers create every day during her internship with Pratt Retail in Atlanta.

Bullins shared that when she was applying for internships she was worried she may not get the hands-on experience that she desired. However, when she joined Pratt, she was able to jump in and take on projects of her own, creating structural and branded displays and packaging used by various customers.

“I had the opportunity to work with my creative director on a project to optimize quarter pallet designs for moving supplies for one of our clients,” said Bullins. “It was really interesting to take part in transforming an idea and working through the steps of getting it into stores.”

When Bullins graduated, she received an offer to join the Pratt Retail team as a full time designer. She says that working with the same team made the transition a relatively seamless one. Her team brought her into new projects slowly, allowing her to ask questions and understand job expectations.

“I work with a talented group of people who help me learn every day,” said Bullins. “It’s exciting to be able to jump into new projects that allow me to enhance my skills and grow professionally.”

Bullins also credits her internship with helping her realize that the corrugated packaging industry is one in which she wants to build her career. Before her internship, she wasn’t sure of where to begin, noting that she sent out numerous resumes and applications to a variety of companies in the area. She started to get discouraged, until she came across the opening for an internship at Pratt right around the end of the semester. Her advice to other interns or recent graduates is to not give up when applying.

“Do not get discouraged if it takes a little while to find the right internship,” said Bullins. “Sometimes it can be a numbers game, so send out as many resumes or applications as you can. I did and found a great opportunity at Pratt that ultimately turned into a full-time position.”

In this series, we feature employees who began as interns and now have thriving careers at Pratt. Each shares his or her insights and advice on interning with as well as transitioning from student to professional.

Drew Poland, William Bottcher and Nick Fields, are current members of Pratt’s sales team who interned with the company as college students. They say that the experiences they had as summer interns greatly shaped their career paths – both in the sales field and at Pratt. While each of their internships were in specific fields of study, they had the opportunity to shadow Pratt employees in all of the departments at the plant. This rotation provided them with a full working knowledge of Pratt’s production process which is essential to understand in a sales-related role.

“As an intern, shadowing coworkers in each department really helped me understand the process of making our corrugated packaging,” shares William Bottcher, sales representative in our Atlanta, GA converting plant. “I did everything from working on the production floor to assisting packaging designers and shipping out finished products. I’ve been able to use those experiences when I’m meeting with customers to answer their questions and explain the products we provide.”

Fields, a sales representative at our Henderson, KY corrugating plant agrees.

“My internship was in packaging design, but I was able to join the sales teams on some of their customer calls which introduced me to building relationships and a different side of the business,” said Fields. “I realized that while I liked packaging design, I enjoyed the sales process and collaborating with our customers a bit more. Doing what I do now, I get to enjoy the best of both worlds.”

Poland, Bottcher and Fields all credited the experiences they had during their internships with why they pursued careers at Pratt.

“It was a big deal to me that a company would offer me a full-time position before heading into my senior year,” said Poland. “I knew that they were invested in helping me succeed, so I accepted the offer and have never looked back.”

They all share that while their internships helped them in their roles on the sales team, there were some things that they had to learn by doing. Managing an entire territory of customers, building a full book of business and cold-calling on customers were just a few of the new skills that each said they had to learn.

“Cold calling on customers was definitely new to me,” said Poland. “I quickly overcame any fears I had about it because I’d set goals for myself. Early on, I worked as hard as I could to make as many customer visits as possible in a day and it worked. It was amazing for me to see the results that you can get when you put your head down and work hard.”

Bottcher agreed with Poland on hard work and initiative being the key to success, noting “Pratt is unique in that our leadership really lets sales representatives manage their territories and client lists as if they are our own small businesses with goals and objectives. I’m not micromanaged, but instead, I’m empowered to try new things and grow my customer list in a way that works for me, my customers and ultimately, the company.”

Since joining Pratt, all three have experienced professional growth opportunities through promotions and educational offerings. Poland is now the sales manager at our converting plant in Nashville, TN where he manages a team of salespeople while supporting the plant’s customer service and design teams. Bottcher and Fields both work at two of Pratt’s newer facilities and look forward to potentially advancing to management roles in the future.

“Pratt, as a company, devotes time and resources into developing their employees and facilities to make it a wonderful place to work,” said Fields. “It’s exciting to work for a company that puts its people first while also continually investing in facilities with new technologies and machines.”

All agree that interning at Pratt can pave the way for a future career. They share that while Pratt is a large company, it has a small feel to it with leaders who encourage building relationships with others and who encourage growth opportunities for employees and interns alike.

“Our internships are a great way to get your feet wet and be immersed in real life tasks that help us run our facilities,” said Poland. “And after internships, we offer some of the best career opportunities in sales right out of school. With a little hard work paired with the tools that Pratt provides sales people, the opportunities are endless.”

Outreach to Students

Throughout the year, we visit high schools, technical institutions, colleges and universities across the country to educate students about the benefits of a career in the corrugated packaging industry.

Several of our locations have special relations and job placement programs with local school districts. Our Regional Manufacturing and Innovation Center in Cedar Hill, Texas sponsors a training and development program in collaboration with the city and school district.

Pratt’s corrugating team in Lewisburg, Ohio attended a community career fair at a nearby high school to educate students about career opportunities and benefits, including tuition reimbursement.

Tuition Reimbursement

Many of our new employees begin on the production floor as high school graduates, unsure of what their career paths may be. Over time, they realize they want to pursue their college degree for personal reasons or to continue to grow their careers.

Pratt encourages employees to complete their college or graduate degrees while they work with the help of our tuition reimbursement program.

“I graduated in May 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety & Health because of the Pratt Tuition Reimbursement Program,” shared Rebecca Carpenter, Safety Coordinator for Pratt Recycling in Denton, TX. “This seemed impossible before I became a part of the Pratt Recycling team. Thanks to this program, I have achieved one of my major educational goals.”

Internships & Co-ops

While Pratt has established several relationships with well-known packaging programs including those at Clemson University, Virginia Tech and Michigan State among others, we recruit interns and co-op students from across the nation with wide-ranging degrees of study.

Students receive hands-on experience within their fields of study, working alongside experienced Pratt employees to apply the skills and knowledge gained in the classroom to real-world scenarios. “I was given a lot of responsibility and freedom to try new things as an intern. It was surprising at first,” said Ashley Cox, a sales intern with Pratt’s Retail Specialty Division. “But then I realized that this is how Pratt’s team encourages creativity and provides real life work experiences.

Internships typically take place during summer months, while the co-op program takes place during the school year, allowing participants to work as a full time Pratt employee earning college credit.

“It’s exciting to see the growth in our internship and co-op program over the last few years. We now have students working in almost every segment of the business,” said Laurie Dyches, Director of Training and Development for Pratt U. “We bring them together several times over the summer, including at our summit in Atlanta where they are able to enjoy time together, network with Pratt leadership – including lunch with Global CEO, Brian McPheely – and present projects that they’ve worked on.”

Training Future Leaders

Pratt provides a number of hands-on training opportunities to current employees through Pratt U. These programs cover a wide range of skills including communication, collaboration, leadership and work/life balance. Many are tailored to specific production roles so that employees can apply what they learn directly to their job responsibilities.

“We develop our training programs to help employees build their skills and grow in their careers,” said Artie Louszko, Director of Training and Development for Pratt U. “The training our employees receive through our programs allows them to keep pace with the latest industry advancements, machinery improvements and technology.”

Additionally, Pratt has developed programs that enable employees to take the next step in their careers. New supervisors have the opportunity to participate in a one-year program that guides them on how to manage a team, ensure operational excellence and foster growth for themselves and their employees.

Pratt recently launched a Leadership Development Program. The one-year program helps employees with leadership experience to understand Pratt’s business operations, offering participants a unique opportunity to be immersed in a manufacturing environment while gaining hands-on leadership experience.

“I’m excited to be a part of the Leadership Development Program at Pratt,” says Kyle May, a program participant. “In my short time here, I’ve learned that company leaders are really open and accepting of new ideas and provide the necessary tools and training to help you succeed. And, with it being manufacturing, it offers a stable, reliable career with infinite room to grow.”

Another leadership program recently launched is the Pratt Industries’ Masters of Business & Leadership. Partnering with the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School, the five month program helps enable and empower employees to strengthen their leadership skills and grow both professionally and personally.

One of Pratt’s guiding principles is to provide an environment where our people are empowered to learn, grow and thrive. Through various community outreach and education programs and internal training and leadership classes, Pratt hopes to help the future leaders of our industry unbox their full potential.

“Pratt Recycling partners with organizations, businesses, institutions and communities to annually recover more than 3 million tons of paper and other recyclables, diverting this material from landfills” says Shawn State, President of Pratt Recycling, Inc. “We receive material from every major metro area east of Oklahoma City, including: Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Miami, Nashville, New York City, Orlando, and others.”

In addition to recovering recycled materials, Pratt works closely with municipalities and other organizations to help educate the community on the importance of landfill diversion through recycling.

In Texas, the city of Denton’s Sustainable School’s Program teamed up with Pratt’s local recycling team to create an outdoor mural for their facility. Through a local competition, school-age children were challenged to submit artwork ideas with themes reflecting: Denton, recycling, sustainability or the environment. Winners were invited to work with local artists, city officials, volunteers and Pratt employees to paint their artwork on the facility, creating a beautiful mural with a great sustainability message.

Pratt’s ongoing partnership with the city of Denton, and their joint educational and community outreach programs, were recognized in 2022 by the State of Texas Alliance for Recycling with the Exceptional Recycling Partnership Award.

“This state-wide award helps us show how a strong partnership between municipalities and private companies is sustainable and also beneficial to both entities,” says Zachary Godbee, Denton Recycling Plant Manager.

Pratt Recycling also has a long, collaborative relationship with the Department of Sanitation New York City (DSNY). A few years ago, Pratt teamed up with the DSNY, the Manhattan Borough President’s Office and the Manhattan Solid Waste Advisory Board to create the Manhattan Paper Challenge. The challenge analyzed different districts within the city to see which district had the best rates for recycling. The community boards which achieved the highest rate increase in paper recycling were awarded quarterly as well as a grand prize at the end of the year-long challenge. The winning districts received a cash award to donate to a non-profit organization of their choice.

The challenge brought a greater sense of community awareness to the importance of recycling and helped further strengthen the positive partnership Pratt has with DSNY and the borough of Manhattan.

Similarly, Pratt has a long standing relationship with the city of Savannah, GA, assisting in their municipal recycling efforts and sustainable business practices for the last 15 years. In addition to collecting recovered materials in the city, Pratt’s recycling team provides a variety of educational resources on the practice of recycling, sustainable purchasing and reducing contaminants in the waste stream. To raise awareness and help educate the community, Pratt participates in the local speaker’s circuit, including lunch and learn sessions at businesses and attending community events. The success of the partnership has encouraged the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce to join Pratt and the city to expand these educational programs and outreach to their members.

Pratt Recycling is proud to partner with organizations, communities and industry associations to create awareness about the importance of recycling and to implement strategic recovery programs. Through these partnerships and collective efforts, we are able to annually divert more than 3 million tons of paper and other recyclable material from landfills across the nation. Pratt then uses the recovered fiber from old corrugated containers (OCC) and mixed paper products to manufacture our 100% recycled containerboard and corrugated packaging solutions.

“While Pratt Paper Mills use the paper based products,” says State, “the non-paper recyclables–including PET and HDPE plastics, steel cans and aluminum–are sold to other manufacturers who use this recycled material in their products.”

“Pratt is a very fast-paced and goal oriented company which requires teamwork and drive to be successful,” says David Crawford, a general manager at a corrugating plant and who served 5 years in the U.S. Army. “Similarly, the military is a performance based organization with measurable goals and objectives expected to be completed each year for promotion. These similarities make the change in careers for veterans who choose Pratt a bit easier.”

As in the military, Pratt employees rely on one another to work as a team to ensure that our plants operate safely and efficiently, which also helps build close relationships among employees.

“Being in the military gave me a set of core values such as respect, duty, service and integrity that guide me both professionally and personally,” says Warren Donaldson, a warehouse manager and retired U.S. Army. “These values, along with knowing how to work with a team to achieve a common goal, have helped me build relationships and progress in my career at Pratt. I am able to work with a team who respects and works well together…almost like a second family.”

Hoyt Stephens, a production supervisor and retired U.S. Navy, agrees, “Pratt is a great company with good pay and benefits. When employees say that working at Pratt is like working with family, that is not idle talk. Everyone truly cares about one another and works together to achieve success.”

Being a part of a team also means a culture that fosters open communication and new ideas. As a company, Pratt embraces an entrepreneurial spirit that drives our approach to growth and innovation. This spirit of inspiring curiosity and focus on continuous learning and improvement is something that many veterans value, feeling empowered and encouraged to share new ideas and processes with their teammates and leaders.

“The open door policy of my leaders is amazing” says John Malveaux, a safety manager and retired U.S. Marine Corps. “They have embraced my ideas in a way that has helped me grow professionally and has helped our team operate more safely and efficiently.”

In addition to an entrepreneurial culture and team atmosphere, Pratt supports employees through a number of career and professional growth opportunities. Employees may benefit from a variety of on-the-job training sessions and ongoing educational classes and programs through Pratt U.

Pratt has recently introduced a Leadership Development Program, which is a one-year program for employees with leadership experience to help them understand our operations. The program offers participants a unique opportunity to be immersed in a manufacturing environment and gain hands-on leadership experience in corrugating and converting operations.

“I’m excited to be a part of the Leadership Development Program at Pratt,” says Kyle May, a program participant and retired U.S. Army. “In my short time as a part of the program, I’ve learned that company leaders are really open and accepting of new ideas and provide the necessary tools and training to help you succeed. And, with it being manufacturing, it offers a stable, reliable career with infinite room to grow.”

“Pratt helps veterans set a path toward a rewarding career. In my time with the company, I have noticed how Pratt has a people first mentality in all they do,” Malveaux adds. “Pratt is an ideal place for veterans who are looking for a rewarding career that helps you keep the momentum that was instilled in you during your time in the armed forces.”

“This is a very proud day for our company because this investment represents a major part of my recent pledge to the United States Ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy, to invest $5 billion in recycling and clean energy infrastructure in the U.S. over the next 10 years,” said Pratt Executive Chairman, Anthony Pratt.

“This will help reduce landfill, cut methane gas emissions, and create green collar American manufacturing jobs as championed by President Biden.”

Pratt now has assets invested in America to the value of $12 billion and has created 12,000 American green manufacturing jobs.

The Australian-born businessman was joined at the grand opening of the 1.1 million square foot factory by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, and the Australian Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Kevin Rudd.

“We’re honored to open this factory with Governor Beshear and Ambassadors Kennedy and Rudd,” said Pratt.

“When we first met two years ago, I told Governor Beshear we were planning to make this investment in Ohio or Indiana, and that we needed adequate electricity and water to power the paper mill – and he moved mountains to make it happen in Kentucky – so we’re opening this mill today because of Governor Beshear’s leadership. He’s the greatest governor in these United
States of America,” said Pratt.

“I congratulate him for his laser focus on job creation – this factory will employ 325 Kentuckians in well-paying, green-collar, manufacturing jobs at an average wage of around $100,000 per person and takes Pratt Industries’ workforce to over 12,000 Americans in 72 factories spread across more than 25 states, making it the largest Australian employer of Americans,” said Pratt.

The company has also built 6 of the last 8 paper mills in America – all producing only 100% recycled paper. The new paper machine in Henderson, which is more than twice the length of a football field, will produce 1500 tons of 100% recycled paper every day. The paper will then be made into corrugated boxes at Pratt’s converting plants across the country, including the new one on the same site, for iconic American companies.

“We are transforming America’s recycling and manufacturing sectors through these initiatives,” said Pratt. “We’re actually in the landfill avoidance business which is good for greenhouse gas reduction as well because as things decay in the landfill, they produce methane gas which is 84 times worse for climate change than carbon dioxide,” stated Pratt. “So recycling is an important weapon against climate change.”

More than 700 guests attended the opening including Lonnie Ali, Muhammad Ali’s widow and the co-founder of the Ali Center in Louisville, and Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America, the largest charitable organization in the United States. Pratt was honored to announce during his remarks a further donation of $1 million to the organization to help feed those in need.

Pratt typically offers internships during the summer months, aligning with students’ break from academic commitments. The roles available in the program span various disciplines, including engineering, packaging design, accounting, HR, sales and marketing, among others. “It’s exciting to see the growth within these programs,” says Laurie Dyches, Director of Training and Development. “We now have interns serving in almost every division of the business.”

For students, transitioning from the classroom to a professional setting can be intimidating, particularly for those with limited professional experience. However, Pratt aims to provide internships and co-ops that offer challenging yet rewarding insights into industry roles, enabling participants to gain confidence in their abilities. Interns collaborate closely with their supervisors, allowing them to tailor their experiences to leverage their unique strengths and pursue areas of interest.

“I worked with an amazing team and I felt really supported,” says Jane Hilsabeck, marketing intern for Pratt.com, the direct-to-consumer, e-commerce arm of Pratt Industries. “I was able to learn a lot about Pratt and the packaging industry as a whole. It was cool to test some of the concepts I’ve learned about in school and get actual hands-on experience.”

“I was given a lot of responsibility and freedom to try new things as an intern,” said Ashley Cox, a sales intern with Pratt’s Retail Specialty Division. “It was surprising at first, but then I realized that this is how Pratt’s team encourages creativity and provides real work experiences.”

Cox had the opportunity to help create specialized kits for “college moving” and “packing essentials” composed of various Pratt-produced products. Some kits were even tested and available for purchase at a retail location.

The benefits of the internship and co-op programs extend not only to the participants but also to the company. Pratt views these programs as a means to tap into the potential of the new generation and welcome fresh perspectives and innovative ideas from outside sources.

As explained by Kevin Vickers, Regional HR Manager, “Offering internship opportunities allows us to get fresh talent in the door and expose them to the Pratt culture. It also gives the interns an opportunity to help oversee a project which might include planning and scheduling, budgeting, resource allocation, and implementation.”

The program serves as a mutually beneficial relationship which helps to bridge the gap between seasoned professionals and students eager to begin their careers.

“We’ve had an intern in our department for the last two years and they have been great additions to the team,” said Rechelle Gadell, Global Procurement Director. “We give them a variety of projects that help us in our negotiations for all or part of the equipment we purchase for our plants. We really want them to understand the process of making paper and boxes, why we need these items and how the pricing impacts the bottom line.”

After gaining an understanding of the manufacturing process, Gadell’s intern, Sarina Desai, was able to grow in her role. “Through the past two months, I have worked on a variety of projects, from reviewing contracts for major purchases to creating a comprehensive database of Pratt’s assets,” said Desai. “As an engineering student, this role has been a unique opportunity for me to see how my technical background can be useful in a business related role.”

“We like to bring interns on so we can see what the new generation can offer and to also bring some outside thoughts and ideas,” Gaddell added. “I feel like it is also an opportunity for us to show a college student the real impact that supply chain, energy initiatives and inflation can have on something like the packaging of the deliveries they receive.”

The program culminates with an end of summer summit at Pratt’s corporate headquarters in Atlanta which brings together interns across the nation and throughout the organization with executive leaders. This event provides a platform for interns to showcase their projects and learnings, fostering a sense of achievement and growth.

“Our program not only cultivates a thriving workforce for the future but also strengthens the company itself through fresh perspectives and a continuous stream of talent.“ said Courtney Johnson, Director of Recruitment. “We strive at all levels of the company to provide opportunities that encourage growth, confidence, and the development of real-world skills. These opportunities pave the way for the next generation of professionals to make a positive impact in the packaging industry and beyond.”

For more information on Pratt’s internship and co-op program or other career opportunities, visit careers.prattindustries.com.

Pratt Industries provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.

“Designing corrugated packaging solutions has definitely evolved over the years,” says Michael Fay, Design Manager at Pratt Converting in Kansas City, MO. “Because of new technology, equipment and capabilities, designers now have the opportunity to create not only structural packaging designs but also branding and messaging. The creative opportunities in corrugated are endless.”

Some of our packaging designers recently shared what it’s like working for Pratt Industries, the diverse mix of packaging projects they work on and how no two days are exactly the same.

At capacity, the 1.1 million square foot plant – one of the largest and most modern of the company’s 71 factories spread across 25 US states – will provide 375 full-time, high-paying, green-collar manufacturing jobs. That brings Pratt’s total workforce to 11,500.

“We’re very honored to be in Cedar Hill and we’re committed to the great state of Texas – in fact this is our 5th box factory here,” said Anthony Pratt, executive chairman of Pratt Industries.

Pratt said the Cedar Hill Corrugating and Innovation Center brings the company’s statewide workforce to more than 1000, with a total investment of more than $550 million. The company’s total U.S. investment is now more than $10.25 billion.

Pratt will be joined at the opening by U.S. House of Representatives, Jasmine Crockett (D-TX30) and Marc Veasey (D-TX33).

“It’s an honor to open this factory with Reps. Crockett and Veasey and I commend them for their strong leadership in Washington and laser focus on bringing green jobs to Texas,” Pratt said.

The Cedar Hill site will produce retail specialty products as well as corrugated boxes and in-store displays for some of America’s leading companies using the company’s signature 100% recycled containerboard.

“Recycling is an important weapon against climate change because as things decay in landfill they emit methane which is 84 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide,” said Pratt. “So recycling is an important weapon against climate change.”

In addition to bringing new jobs to Cedar Hill, Pratt will also sponsor a training and development program in collaboration with the city and school district.

“This factory will allow the company to grow for years to come, supporting our customers, employees and the community,” said Pratt.

Last year Pratt pledged to invest $5 billion in American recycling and clean energy infrastructure over the next decade.

About Pratt Industries, Inc.
Pratt Industries is America’s 5th largest corrugated packaging company and the world’s largest, privately-held 100% recycled paper and packaging company. Pratt was founded in the U.S. more than 35 years ago and operates manufacturing facilities in more than 25 states. The Georgia-based company operates an extensive Recycling company to supply six of the most modern, cost-effective 100% recycled paper mills in the country, located in: Conyers, Georgia, Staten Island, New York, Valparaiso, Indiana, Shreveport, Louisiana, Wapakoneta, Ohio and Henderson, Kentucky opening in fall of 2023. For more information, please visit PrattIndustries.com.

As Pratt now looks to open its largest, most technologically advanced and environmentally friendly mill to date, it continues to drive its green mission through an impressive growth strategy and commitment.

Late last year, Pratt pledged to invest $5 billion in U.S. recycling and clean energy infrastructure to create 5,000 American manufacturing jobs over the next 10 years. The Henderson, KY mill, which expects to produce more than 1,500 tons of recycled paper daily, saving the equivalent of 25,000 trees a day, is part of that investment, as is the 700,000 square-foot corrugator plant adjacent to the mill. The $500 million investment is one of the biggest economic development achievements in western Kentucky in the past 25 years.

Pratt’s new regional manufacturing and innovation center in Cedar Hill, TX expects to open later this year and combines a state-of-the-art corrugator plant, with a mega-sheet plant and retail manufacturing facility to occupy an impressive one million square feet.

“The value of our investment in American recycling and clean infrastructure is already over $10 billion,” stated Anthony. “In America, steady growth is forever and we are honored to have built five out of the last seven paper mills, all 100% recycled.”

While Pratt’s paper mills produce 100% recycled containerboard used by Pratt’s corrugators to make sheets containing up to 100% recycled material, Pratt Recycling works hard to deliver feed stock to those mills.

“We annually recover more than 3 million tons of paper and other recyclables, diverting this material from landfills,” said Shawn State, President of Pratt Recycling, Inc., a Pratt Industries’ business. “The paper based products we recover supply our paper mills with the recovered fiber to produce new containerboard. It’s a true circular economy.”

Pratt Recycling’s close-the-loop program offers customers a waste recovery service and the opportunity to create a circular journey for their product packaging, which may contribute to organizational sustainability and landfill avoidance goals.

“Sustainability is always part of the package at Pratt because sustainability was built into the foundation of the company from the beginning,” said Cathy Foley, Executive Vice President of Industry Relations and Supply Chain. “The basis of what we do is take used material that would otherwise go to a landfill and harvest that material to make new, sustainable packaging solutions that protect, transport and drive sales for our customers.”

To learn more about Pratt Industries, our green mission and how sustainability is always part of the package, please visit PrattIndustries.com.

Stronger Together

Increasingly, women can be found on manufacturing production floors across the country. Of the roughly 15.8 million manufacturing workers in the U.S., thirty percent are women¹. We spoke to one all-female crew at Pratt’s Corrugator in Valparaiso, IN.

Lorraine Wagner, Erika Wanderski and Erica Ciastko, have become an integral part of the third shift at Pratt’s Valparaiso plant. Together, they coordinate an entire production process, from setting up the equipment to loading corrugated board into the machine, stacking and finishing the product for shipping. The team works together to ensure that each order is completed to the proper specifications and quality expectations.

“We take pride in the packaging that we produce,” said Ciastko, machine pre-feeder. “To make sure that customers receive high quality products, we work closely with one another to ensure that each step in the process is done correctly.”

“It truly is a team effort among the three of us,” added stacker operator, Wanderski. “All I have to do is ask for help, and Erica or Lorraine are there for me. It makes work so much better when you enjoy the people on your team and the work that you do.”

“I decided to work for Pratt after researching the company and learning about what it was like to work here,” said Wagner, machine operator. “Everything that I’d heard was true. I’ve been able to grow in my career with the company and learn new things every day. My team makes working at Pratt even that much more enjoyable. We’re like a family.”

Leading the Way

As plant managers, shift supervisors, customer service managers, sales managers and more, women are integral members of the management teams across Pratt. Sofia Ghrayeb, plant manager at Pratt’s Houston Recycling facility, is responsible for coordinating all of the daily operations of her facility.

“For me, no two days are exactly the same, which keeps my job interesting,” said Ghrayeb. “I manage everything from our safety training and employee hiring to coordinating facility maintenance and assisting our procurement team with materials to ensure that we are meeting the needs of our recycling customers. These varied responsibilities allow me to continuously learn new things and expand my skills.”

Ghrayeb shares that she continuously strives to focus on employee safety and engagement, ensuring her employees have all of the resources, training and support that they need to be successful in their jobs.

“I want to make sure that I continue to run a safe and efficient operation,” Ghrayeb adds. “Long term, I want to continue growing within Pratt. I really enjoy the culture and the people that I get to learn from and work with every day.”²

Employee Resource Groups

In addition to support from co-workers and plant leaders, Pratt recognizes the need for individuals in similar roles to share ideas with one another. One such employee resource group is the Sales Women of Pratt (SWOP) which connects saleswomen from across the company. Group members can reach out to one another to discuss new sales practices, brainstorm solutions for customer needs and provide support and guidance across a number of topics.

“I was completely new to corrugated packaging when I joined Pratt two years ago. Having the guidance and resources provided by SWOP members has been invaluable,” said Chloe Wolfe, Sales Representative for Pratt Converting in Grand Rapids, MI. “My fellow SWOP members are willing to impart their knowledge to me and others. I know that I can go to them with virtually any packaging question and within hours or even minutes, I will have multiple suggestions to help me. It’s energizing to be a part of such a dynamic group of women.”

Karen Wright, a founding member of SWOP and current SWOP planning committee member, shared that the group has nearly tripled in membership since it began eight years ago and regularly plays an important role in the organization’s holistic sales efforts.

“The group is truly amazing,” Wright shared. “The networking and support that group members provide one another is invaluable. It has become a tangible tool to help us be successful in our sales efforts across the organization.”

The contributions made by SWOP have been recognized by leaders of the company as well. The group is serving as a blueprint for the creation of similar resource groups for other job functions. The goal of these groups is to assist and encourage employee success and to promote career longevity and growth.

More Than a Job

Time and again, women throughout the organization have noted that working at Pratt has afforded them the opportunities they wanted and needed throughout various life and career stages.

“Pratt Industries is more than a place of employment to me,” shared Allison Jepsen, operations manager at Pratt Corrugating in Rockwall, TX. “When I came to work for Pratt, I was a young mother who needed to provide for my children. Pratt afforded me the stability to do just that and also gave me a work family who supports one another through the good and bad times.”

“When I meet women considering a career in manufacturing and with Pratt, I encourage them to pursue it because it has given me so many opportunities,” said Sherry Huber, quality manager for Pratt Corrugating in Lewisburg, OH. “From learning new skills to enabling me to raise my family and send my kids to college, Pratt has supported me and my goals.”

To learn more about joining the Pratt team, visit Careers.PrattIndustries.com.

1 Thomas Insights: Women In Industry: By the Numbers
2 ISRI Article: MRF Operator from Pratt Industries Shares Safety Goals and Processes

Healthy Lifestyles Can Contribute to HSAs and More

A key component of Pratt’s overall employee benefits program is to empower employees to be advocates for their own health and wellness. To do this, Pratt offers a holistic approach to wellness through our healthy lifestyles program – a wellness program that uses online tools to track physical activities, maintain a nutritious diet, improve sleep, and reduce stress based on personal goals.

“Our employees love our Healthy Lifestyles program and actively participate, “ said Mysti Starr Richardson, Director of Human Resources at Pratt Industries. “We really encourage our employees to participate because it benefits them in several ways. They have access to a variety of resources that help them plan and meet personal wellness goals. By reaching these goals, they get healthier and also gain program points which can result in contributions to their health savings accounts.”

Pratt also offers reimbursement for approved fitness expenses that may promote a healthy lifestyle. Approved expenses may include joining a gym, using a personal trainer, participating in a weight management program (such as Weight Watchers) and purchasing a wearable fitness tracker.

Getting Active

Promoting consistent physical activity is a cornerstone of Pratt’s Healthy Lifestyles program which encourages employees to get moving as a way to get healthy. Wearing an activity or fitness tracker, which may be an approved reimbursable expense, employees track their steps and active minutes. Their daily metrics are uploaded to an online wellness platform where employees can set personal activity goals and monitor their progress. By meeting set milestones, employees receive points which can result in up to $1,200 annually being contributed to their HSA.

“I enjoy the activity challenges or competitions that we can create in the Healthy Lifestyles program,” said Sean McGrath, a Divisional Controller for Pratt. “I like friendly competitions, so I try to start challenges among my team about once a month. They give me a little extra motivation to get out of my chair and move. Instead of being satisfied with 7,000 steps, I might go for an extra walk just to move up in the standings. I gain in my health and have fun with my co-workers, so it’s a win-win!”

Eating Better

Regular activity paired with a nutritious diet go hand-in-hand to enhance a person’s overall health. As part of the healthy lifestyles program, employees can complete an online nutrition assessment which creates a personalized nutrition profile and guide complete with meal planning resources, healthy recipes and tips for limiting unhealthy food choices.

“The personalized nutrition guide and meal planning tools really helped me incorporate more nutritious foods in my diet,” said Marcy Peeler, Marketing Manager. “The recipes are so good that even my kids enjoy them. Our entire family is now eating much healthier.”

Capturing Restful Sleep

Good, restful sleep is an important part of a person’s physical and mental health. Pratt’s wellness program incorporates a variety of resources to help employees capture restful sleep. Similar to the nutritional assessment, employees can complete a confidential, online questionnaire to assess their current sleep habits. That assessment, paired with sleep tracking from a fitness tracker, provides a customized sleep guide. This guide provides tips on everything from removing distractions such as phones and electronic devices to calming techniques to try before going to bed each night.

Managing Stress

Providing tools to help manage stress is a key tenet of the Healthy Lifestyles program which provides a series of daily tips to help reduce stress. Additionally, Pratt offers a robust employee assistance program that includes access to a network of counselors and therapists available for confidential stress management and other sessions.

“We strive to provide resources to our employees that will help them keep their health and wellness top of mind,” said Richardson. “We continue to enhance our offerings each year to ensure that the program is something that truly makes a difference in the lives of our employees.”

To learn more about Pratt’s healthy lifestyles program and other benefits, visit Careers.PrattIndustries.com.

PUTTING SAFETY FIRST DURING THE WORK DAY AND BEYOND

One of Pratt’s guiding principles is to put safety first. Bryon Rowan, Sr., a truck driver for Pratt Logistics in Wapakoneta, OH is helping to make sure safety is a community wide priority. As a member of the Shelby County Ohio Amateur Radio Emergency Services of Ohio and an Assistant Skywarn Coordinator, Rowan generously gives his time to provide first-hand weather spotting observations for the National Weather Service during severe weather events. His activities help to ensure that people within his community and surrounding areas are aware of any dangerous weather situations in a timely manner. Rowan also volunteers in non-emergency situations, such as local parades and events, to help ensure crowd safety and awareness and is a volunteer sound technician for his church. Rowan shared that being an amateur radio operator is rewarding because it allows him to serve his community while doing something he loves.

CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE CHILDREN CAN LEARN, GROW AND THRIVE

Pratt strives to create an environment where our people are empowered to learn, grow and thrive and several employees take an active role to help children within their community have the same opportunity. Joseph Hoofnagle, shipping manager for Pratt Corrugating in Springfield, OH shares his love of baseball and the importance of teamwork as a volunteer little league coach. While Hoofnagle admits that keeping a group of young children focused on learning can be challenging, he says it is worth it when he sees them start to understand, enjoy the game and grow as individuals as well as a team.

Danny Taylor, a truck driver for Pratt Logistics in Shreveport, LA recently created an after-school program called Targeting Young Men (TYM). The program gives local children a safe environment in which to learn, connect and grow, helping them to turn challenging situations into new opportunities and teaching them how to set positive goals for the future.

Robert Yaw, a truck driver with Pratt Converting in Albert Lea, MN helps to bring holiday cheer, and good behavior, to his community all year long by playing Santa Claus at local events and parties. Yaw even shows up as Santa during unexpected times of the year, such as the annual Boat Parade in July, to remind children that Santa is watching and to spread a little holiday magic even in the off season. And sometimes, Mrs. Claus, Yaw’s wife, joins in the fun, too.

SEEING A NEED AND TAKING ACTION

Pratt’s entrepreneurial culture empowers our employees to pursue continuous improvement and to take action for the betterment of our organization, people and customers. James Grasse, a truck driver for Pratt Logistics in Rockwall, TX extends this principle to take action in his community when he sees a need. From contributing to local food banks and senior centers to providing air conditioning units and portable generators for families, Grasse continuously finds ways to give to his community and those who need a little extra help throughout the year.

From mentorships to food and toy drives to ensuring safety and fun for their families, friends and neighbors, Pratt employees across the nation are actively involved in the communities in which they live and work. The above stories, as well as the photos in the gallery below, are just a snapshot of the many ways that our employees give back to their local communities.

Pratt Conyers, GA

This holiday season, several divisions based out of Pratt’s Conyers, GA campus worked together to collect toys for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Employees from Pratt’s Corrugating, Pratt Specialty Sheets, Retail Specialty, Clean Energy and Paper Mill divisions donated new, unopened toys for children spending the holidays in the hospital.

Pratt Corrugating – Springfield, OH

This year, the Pratt Springfield Corrugating team continued the annual tradition of supporting their local Second Harvest Food Bank by packing 150 boxes of food for area senior citizens. The boxes are filled with 40 pounds of nutritious food and distributed to seniors throughout several local counties by Second Harvest Food Bank who works to alleviate hunger in the Ohio Tri-county area.

Pratt Retail Specialty – Carlisle, PA

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness month in October, Pratt Retail Specialty in Carlisle, PA hosted a number of events to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. Many of the employees also participated in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk of South Central PA held in Harrisburg, PA.

Pratt Paper Mill and Corrugating – Wapakoneta, OH

Our paper mill and corrugator in Wapakoneta, OH recently donated to Keep Ohio Beautiful to establish a new pocket park in downtown Wapakoneta Legacy Parkplatz. Pratt Industry employees partnered with Keep Ohio Beautiful and other community volunteers to plant 108 trees and shrubs surrounding the park’s monuments and parking lot.

Pratt Retail Specialty – Wapakoneta, OH

Pratt Retail Specialty in Wapakoneta, OH took part in the town’s annual Halloween parade distributing nearly 170 pounds of candy – donated by Pratt employees – to residents along the parade route. The Pratt employees dressed up as characters from Disney’s Toy Story, and the float was designed as a hometown nod to the Neil Armstrong Air and Space Museum and made of moving boxes manufactured by the Wapakoneta Retail Specialty facility.

Pratt Corporate – Atlanta, GA

Pratt employees, including Executive Global Chairman Anthony Pratt, recently volunteered with teams from HelloFresh, and Second Helpings Atlanta to pack 1,000 meals for people in need as a part of the Meals with Meaning Atlanta program. The program, which began in August 2021, has donated more than 500,000 meals to families facing food insecurity in Atlanta.

Anthony Pratt made the pledge – his largest ever commitment – to Caroline Kennedy, the U.S. Ambassador to Australia, at a recent black tie event in Sydney.

“Pratt Industries is proud to already be the largest Australian employer of Americans – providing 11,000 well-paying, green-collar jobs in more than 70 factories across the nation,” Pratt said.

Part of the new commitment is already taking shape in Henderson, KY, where the company is building its 6th, 100% recycled paper mill. An investment of $500 million, the mill is one of the biggest economic development achievements in Western Kentucky in the past 25 years.

Pratt is also building a 700,000 square-foot corrugator plant adjacent to the mill. The combined project expects to bring more than 300 full time jobs to the area and more than 700 jobs for the construction phase.

Earlier this year, Pratt announced plans to open a regional manufacturing and innovation center in Cedar Hill, TX, outside of Dallas, where it will occupy one million square feet and invest more than $200 million in equipment and building improvements. The company also plans to employ 150 full time workers at the new facility.

In October, Pratt officially opened its $200 million corrugator plant in Park City, KS, outside of Wichita. The one million square-foot facility is expected to create 300 full time jobs.

“The value of our investment in American recycling and clean energy infrastructure is already now over $10 billion,” Anthony said. “In America, steady growth is forever and we are honored to have built five out of the last seven paper mills, all 100% recycled.”

Anthony said recycling was an important weapon against climate change “because as things decay in landfill they emit methane, which is 84 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 25-year period. As a result, landfills emit more greenhouse gases than global aviation.”

Pratt Industries also believes in investing profits back into the business, its people and the communities it serves, helping to make it one of the fastest growing companies in the industry. “We reinvest our profits in new factories, new machinery, high-tech robotics and artificial intelligence, and our people,” said Anthony.

About Pratt Industries

Pratt is America’s 5th largest corrugated packaging company and the world’s largest, privately-held 100% recycled paper and packaging company, with plants in 25 states and a manufacturing footprint stretching from New York to California.

Pratt employs veterans in a variety of roles throughout our organization, including within our Human Resources (HR) teams. These HR leaders provide valuable guidance to both our current veteran employees and those transitioning from military to civilian work. Below are tips from former military, now current Pratt, HR professionals to help others who are facing this transition.

Plan Ahead and Use Available Resources

The U.S. military provides a number of resources for service men and women as they are preparing to transition out. Many of these resources are available well in advance of veterans’ separations from the military and serve to prepare them for their post-military career. An example is the DOD SkillBridge program which allows service members to gain experience in the civilian workforce through industry training, apprenticeships or internships during the last 180 days of their service. Offered through their military installation, service men and women should contact their unit commander to learn more about the program.

The military Transition Assistance Program is another resource which provides a variety of tools, services and skill-building training to equip veterans with skills and resources they may want to obtain before departing. Resources include courses on college and vocational education, resume building and employment search processes amongst others.

“Begin planning for your transition a year or more in advance,” suggests Hugo Hinojosa, Master Sergeant, U.S. Army Retired and Human Resources Manager at Pratt’s Rockwall, TX corrugating plant. “During that time, think about the career you would like to enter and try to find courses while you’re in the military that can set you up for success. For example, I participated in the manufacturing track of the U.S. Army’s Career Skills program as I was making my transition. The experience opened my eyes to opportunities within the manufacturing world that I didn’t know existed.”

Network and Make Connections

In addition to taking advantage of available resources and training, attending job fair events and networking within the civilian workforce can be extremely valuable. Job fairs can take place on military installations or in the larger community and allow candidates to meet with potential employers and make connections that could result in interviews and job offers.

“Network as much as you can,” says Hinojosa. “Attend the career fairs and stay in contact with the people you meet. I connected with several people on LinkedIn after I met them at events on base. Those connections resulted in invitations to interviews. I wouldn’t have had those opportunities if I hadn’t networked and been open to meeting new people.”

Abbigail San Soucie, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Retired and Human Resources Manager at Pratt’s corrugating facility in Beloit, WI agrees. She regularly works with local veterans’ organizations as a career advisor for transitioning veterans. “Reach out to your veteran community. There are groups, associations and Veteran Affairs locations throughout the country who can provide a variety of career resources,” says San Soucie. “These organizations can also connect you with other retired veterans, like me, who can serve as mentors through the transition process and beyond.”

A number of organizations feature career fairs and networking events for veterans including: Hiring Our Heroes, Military.com, and RecruitMilitary.com.

Translate Military Terminology into Civilian Skill Sets

Many of the skills and experiences in the military can be directly applied to careers in the private sector; however, the terminology used may be slightly different. To alleviate any confusion about professional skills, candidates should refrain from using military terminology which may not be understood by a civilian hiring manager. Instead, include more commonly used civilian words and phrases. Enlist the help of veteran mentors to help with this, as well as to help tailor your resume to fit the job description to which you are applying.

“When I began applying for positions, I took the key words from the job description and used them to describe what I did during my military service,” says Ian Lack, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Retired and Human Resources Generalist at Pratt’s Grand Rapids, MI converting plant. “By doing this, I was able to get through the screening process and make it to in-person interviews.”

Robert Pearson, Master Sergeant, U.S. Air Force Retired and Human Resources Manager at Pratt’s converting plant in Wichita, KS agrees, “Try not to use statements such as ‘I managed 550 sorties per month.’ A civilian shipping manager who is unfamiliar with military terminology will not understand what this means. Instead, use a statement such as ‘I managed the movement of 50 tons of cargo per month to locations throughout the U.S.’ By wording your skills in this way, it alerts the hiring manager to the fact that you have experience in shipping and logistics.”

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides a Veterans Employment Toolkit, which includes resources to assist in job searches, resume building and interviews, as well as a listing of upcoming career events.

HOLD TRUE TO LESSONS LEARNED WHILE SERVING

All of our HR Managers agreed that the best piece of advice is to hold true to the lessons learned in the military and strive to translate those lessons to the civilian world. While transitioning from military to civilian life can be difficult, remembering the lessons learned about leadership, teamwork, adaptability, discipline, and patience will make the transition much easier.

“Stay true to yourself and the core values that were instilled in you while in the military,” advises Pearson. “Keep that integrity, the work ethic, professionalism and apply it to all that you do. But remember that others may not understand the experiences that you’ve had, so be patient with them. If you do that, you’ll be extremely successful in your career.”

“Being in the military sets you up for success,” adds Michael Mendelsohn, Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps Retired and Divisional Human Resources Manager for Pratt’s Paper Mill Division. “Take the best of what you’ve learned from the military – the discipline, teamwork, the commitment to success – and apply that to your civilian career and you’ll go far.”

To learn more about career opportunities at Pratt Industries that may fit your skill set, visit Careers.PrattIndustries.com and enter a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) code into the search bar. Our applicant tracking system (ATS) will translate your MOS code into job functions and responsibilities that match open positions within our organization.

1. U.S. Department of Labor – Veteran’s Employment and Training Service: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/vets/programs/tap

Pratt Industries provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.

September is Hunger Action Month and with rising food costs and food insecurity continuing to affect local communities, HelloFresh, Pratt Industries and SHA pledge to continue the Meals with Meaning program through 2023. Meals with Meaning meal kits are packed each week by Second Helpings Atlanta volunteers and distributed every Wednesday at various pick-up locations throughout the City with the support from the Mayor’s Office of International and Immigrant Affairs, Atlanta City Council and City Councilman Michael Julian Bond. Individuals are encouraged to check
https://secondhelpingsatlanta.org/mealswithmeaningatlanta/ or Council Member Michael Julian Bond’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/michaeljulianbond) for information regarding distribution.

“We’re thrilled to reach this important milestone in the Meals with Meaning program, but recognize the need to continue providing meaningful assistance to the Atlanta community through fresh food donations,” said Uwe Voss, CEO of HelloFresh US. “We believe that everyone should have access to healthy and nutritious food and are thankful to Pratt Industries, Second Helping Atlanta and the City of Atlanta for their partnership and generosity in helping combat food insecurity through the Meals with Meaning program.”

“Food doesn’t get the attention it deserves. It is a source of health in the most basic sense and there is no better cause than doing right and feeding everyone. The Meals with Meaning program addresses this urgent need and we are proud to partner with HelloFresh, Second Helpings Atlanta and the City of Atlanta to address food insecurity in the Atlanta community,” said Anthony Pratt, Executive Global Chairman, Pratt Industries.

“This partnership has enabled us to feed thousands of food insecure families who might not otherwise have access to fresh, nutritious food,” said Andrea Jaron, executive director of Second Helpings Atlanta. “The collective impact of Meals With Meaning ensures that families don’t have to choose between paying a bill or putting food on the table. We couldn’t do it without our partners, or the support of our volunteers who convene in our warehouse every week to do the heavy lifting.”

“Thanks to the generosity of these incredible partners, our city has come together to feed thousands of families every week,” said Councilman Michael Julian Bond. “Meals With Meaning helps remove the burden of wondering where the next meal will come from and has given dignity and security to those who need it the most.”

To learn more about the partnership and ways to volunteer, please visit www.secondhelpingsatlanta.org.

“Food doesn’t get the attention it deserves,” says Anthony Pratt. “It is a source of health in the most basic sense and there is no better cause than doing right and feeding everyone.” This sentiment encouraged Pratt to join forces with HelloFresh in August of 2021 to launch the Meals with Meaning program to fight food insecurity in the Atlanta community.

Meals with Meaning Surpasses Expectations

This September, Pratt Industries and HelloFresh will achieve a donation milestone of 500,000 meals distributed to Atlanta residents facing food insecurity through the Meals with Meaning program, surpassing the original commitment to distribute more than 400,000 meals to the Atlanta community through 2022.

In August 2021, Pratt Industries committed to support HelloFresh’s efforts to provide access to fresh, nutritious food through the Meals with Meaning Atlanta program. Through the initiative, 8,000 meals per week are packed and distributed by food rescue organization Second Helpings Atlanta.

With fresh ingredients provided by HelloFresh and Pratt Industries, each meal kit consists of a step-by-step recipe card and all of the produce and proteins needed to make 4 hearty and nourishing meals. The meal kit ingredients can also be used to create any dish the recipient would like based on their individual cooking styles.

The Second Helpings Atlanta volunteers pack the kits weekly, which are then made available at various locations throughout the city with support from the Atlanta City Council. As part of the ongoing program, The Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Officials also helps distribute meal kits to its local network of properties making it easier than ever for the community to have access to fresh food.

“Pratt Industries is honored to partner with HelloFresh, Second Helpings Atlanta and the City of Atlanta to provide more than 400,000 meals annually to those in need in the Atlanta area,” said Anthony Pratt.

HelloFresh, which operates a distribution and fulfillment facility in Newnan, GA, is the leader in delivering delicious ingredients and easy-to-follow recipes to households worldwide. To celebrate the 500,000 meal donation milestone, HelloFresh and Second Helpings Atlanta, along with the City of Atlanta, will be recognizing Pratt Industries at a special packing and distribution event at the Second Helpings Atlanta facility in September.

Expanding the Conversation with the WSJ Global Food Forum

In addition to working with local communities, such as Atlanta, to fight food insecurity, Pratt was integral in launching a global food platform as a founding sponsor of the Wall Street Journal Global Food Forum in 2016.

In June, participants from around the world gathered in person and virtually to hold the 8th forum for headline-making conversations on the forces shaping new frontiers in food.

“We want to shine a spotlight on America’s food industry to identify how it can grow, invest and generate even more quality jobs for the nation,” said Anthony Pratt in speaking about the inaugural forum in 2016. “We propose starting a national conversation, including industry, government and civil society.”

The WSJ Global Food Forum annually tackles critical issues facing the food industry including sustainability—from seed research to farming practices to packaging to consumption—fighting food insecurity and job creation among others.

Continuing the Fight

From local food drives to starting global conversations, Pratt Industries is committed to continuing to raise awareness and take action against food insecurity. This fall, even more exciting news is coming about Pratt’s commitment to take action against hunger, and we cannot wait to share it. Check back here, and stay tuned to Pratt’s social media platforms for news to come.

1 Source: USDA Economic Research Service – Food Security in the U.S.

Tenured, Customer-Focused Team

Pratt’s tenured team of logistics experts helps ensure products flow smoothly from Pratt facilities to customers, providing delivery transparency, proactive communications and a reachable point of contact in times of need. The team is also able to match outbound loads with assets generated on inbound deliveries to create operational efficiencies.

“Our logistics team is an essential part of Pratt’s vertically integrated supply chain, and that includes Pratt’s holistic service model and high expectations for a positive customer experience,” says Danielle Roszko, President of Supply Chain and Logistics. “When Pratt drivers drop off finished product, this may be one of the last interactions a customer has with Pratt until the next order. This makes the driver an important part of the customer experience. Our drivers take pride in this and are dedicated to living up to the Pratt promise of exceptional service throughout the entire buying cycle, including delivery.”

Contributing to Pratt’s integrated service model is driver retention and consistency. According to Scott Belt, Director of Recruiting for the logistics division, Pratt’s internal structure provides a family type atmosphere which blends comradery with stability and creates an environment of team dedication, personal security and loyalty to Pratt and to our customers. “The result is a driver retention rate which is significantly higher than the industry average,” says Belt.

Dedicated, Agile Fleet

To support Pratt’s expansive network of box plants and their customers, Pratt Logistics operates a dedicated fleet and services team, including drivers, dispatchers, support staff, log logistics managers and yard service. Additionally, a flexible fleet supports the Recycling and Mills divisions and may be used to supplement dedicated services to Pratt’s other divisions as needed.

“We have a flexible business model that allows us to optimize our tractors, trailers and drivers to best service our internal Pratt customers and their customers,” says Tom Olshefski, Vice President of Operations. “We manage the drivers, vehicles and schedules, and we have a dedicated, experienced team who knows how to create operational efficiencies to get more from the fleet.”

This agile approach helps to ensure Pratt’s customers receive consistent, reliable service even during times of supply chain disruption and transportation shortages. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, Pratt Logistics was able to continue serving customers and keep supply chains moving.

“To stay agile, we have drop trailer, or drop-n-hook, capabilities,” says Olshefski, “allowing us to drop off one load and hook to a different one. This gives our customers more flexibility with their teams. We can also service trailers overnight.”

Utilizing slip-seat operations, where multiple drivers may operate a single tractor, Pratt is able to extend service hours, and optimize driver and tractor availability. A mandated maintenance schedule and advanced onboard technology helps ensure driver safety and reliable service.

Pursuit of Technological Advancements

Pratt Logistics’ vehicles are equipped with GPS tracking and onboard computers and the average age of vehicles in the fleet is less than 5 years’ old.

Pratt prides itself on state-of-the-art facilities and innovative solutions to customer needs, so it’s no surprise that the Logistics team continually pursues technological innovations, including advancements in transportation and communications. The division has a dedicated technology innovations team for this purpose.

“We have developed a number of original apps used by our internal team but also some of which are publicly accessible for third party carriers,” says Brian Miedlar, Director of Technology. “The apps allow proof of delivery, including electronic verification through photographs, signed BOL documentation, dock appointment scheduling, delivery and pickup check-ins, and photos for quality checks among other things.”

The innovations team is continually testing new touchpoints and driver engagement to create greater visibility and quality assurance. While Miedlar cannot go into specifics yet, he says there are exciting things happening at Pratt Logistics and looks forward to launching new capabilities soon.

Reliable Partner & Competitive Advantage

Pratt Logistics is a strong player in the trucking and transportation industry. With its tenured, customer-focused team, modern fleet navigated by dedicated drivers and continual pursuit of technological advancements, it is an integral part of Pratt’s vertically integrated supply chain and service model. The team and services offered give Pratt’s customers a competitive advantage and reliable partner for the retailers, distributors and consumers they serve.

Safety as a Value

To encourage the importance of safety being everyone’s responsibility, Pratt taps into its entrepreneurial spirit to promote a strong safety culture for improved employee wellness and productivity. Teams work closely with each other to identify and eliminate hazards and to maximize awareness around best practices and safety protocols. Each location takes ownership of the safety, health and welfare of its people, creating a safety-centric environment and a sense of shared commitment throughout the organization.

According to Corey Roskoski, Divisional Safety Manager at Pratt Specialties, one of the key components to successful ongoing workplace safety is open communication and engagement with employees.

“We are transparent on upcoming and in-progress safety projects and work closely with our employees during implementation. We encourage our employees to speak up about any concerns, so we can quickly address them.”

Roskoski also stresses the importance of creating opportunities for workers to provide feedback and to raise concerns in order to build a positive and successful safety culture.

“We ask employees to provide input into plant changes and upgrades such as new equipment installations. Corrective actions for any incidents are shared and the sites push each other to make sure the true root causes are identified so that hazards can be eliminated.”

Each month, site safety committees identify plant improvement projects and address any incidents. Each site then shares its safety changes and improvements throughout the division so that system wide improvements may be implemented.

As a result, Pratt Specialty has opened several new facilities holding a steady incident rate and has several locations that have not had a recordable incident in the last year.

“We focus on safety as a value through awareness training which helps our employees stay informed, identify unsafe conditions and know how to best react to any unsafe situations,” says Quincy Cohen, Operational Excellence Training & Safety Manager at Pratt Salinas Converting and other satellite locations throughout the state of California.

“It involves every employee, temporary associate, supervisor, manager, office staff, contractor and vendor who work at our location to uphold our continued focus on safety.”

At Pratt Salinas Converting, in order to encourage safety as every employee’s responsibility, the Safety Training Observation Program (STOP) was put in place to encourage employees to proactively prevent incidents and injuries through monitoring and addressing safe and unsafe behaviors. This reminds employees to look out for one another and allows management to focus on leading safety indicators through data collection.

Safety Education

A successful safety program requires ongoing training and education. Training programs provide employees with the knowledge, tools, and skills to play an active role in the health and safety of their work environment.

To reiterate Pratt’s organizational safety motto of “See Something, Say Something, Do Something,” Pratt Recycling created a program which encourages overall safety both at work and at home. Safety topics are provided weekly and employees are encouraged to share the information with family and friends to inspire the practice of safety before, during and after work hours.

The Recycling team also regularly hosts Safety Stand Downs inspired by ISRI Stand Down Day where important safety topics are discussed. Many of the topics covered are addressed annually as refreshers across the division. However, as new topics and ideas arise, safety managers share the information so all can benefit, creating an ongoing source for new safety discussions and best practices.

Pratt Specialty encourages site safety managers to complete either a 10 or 30 hour OSHA course, and Specialities University is a training platform which houses the training requirements for all positions across the division.

At Pratt Salinas Converting, supervisors host weekly training sessions focused on predetermined topics that may be related to safety best practices, potential incidents, recent improvements or refreshers on safety protocols. Monthly plant-wide safety meetings with leadership also allow employees to have an open discussion around any concerns or new ideas.

Celebrating Safety

To further encourage a safe work environment and continued focus on safety as a priority, Pratt recognizes safety success stories at individual locations, across divisions and organization-wide. Safety milestone awards and celebratory events are used to recognize accomplishments and award teams.

Celebrations may include presentation of plaques or award certificates, employee luncheons and small tokens of appreciation. Some locations host steak dinners to commemorate the achievement of safety goals. Pratt encourages locations to set new goals after each celebration to keep teams motivated to maintain their culture of safety and high standards.

Thanks to the dedication of leadership, safety teams and employees across the organization, Pratt Industries continues to promote safety as a top priority, sharing best practices, success stories and a unified commitment.

If you are interested in learning more about Pratt’s safety culture and exploring our open opportunities, please visit the Pratt Careers website here.

Pratt Industries provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.

According to Anthony Pratt, executive global chairman,“Pratt operates under four key principles and one of them is to look after our best people. When we started Pratt more than 30 years ago, we knew that to become a leader in the industry, we would need to recruit and retain top talent; and that is exactly what we strive to do every day.”

To accomplish this, Pratt understands it is important to offer benefits that go beyond the individual employee to encourage family health and community well-being.

EMPLOYEE WELL-BEING

A recent Gallup poll of more than 13,000 U.S. employees found that a majority believe work-life balance and personal well-being are very important.* We agree and have created a suite of benefits and programs to promote the physical, mental and emotional well-being of our employees and their families.

Pratt offers a robust health benefits package that begins on the first of the month after an employee’s hire date. This quick start to medical benefits alleviates many of the stressors employees often have when changing jobs and companies. While many organizations require a waiting period of 30 or more days, Pratt’s medical benefits do not.

Additionally, Pratt offers a Healthy Lifestyles program that incentivizes and encourages healthy choices. Employees may receive reimbursements for a variety of eligible wellness expenses, including gym memberships, fitness apps and health trackers. Employees may also receive company paid contributions to their health savings accounts (HSAs).

“Pratt is a stable company that has afforded me years of job security,” said Mark Schumaker, Supervisor at Pratt Albert Lea, MN Converting. “They truly care about you as an employee and provide excellent benefits and the opportunity to learn new skills.”.

Pratt also recognizes the importance of time off to relax, recharge and spend time with family and friends. Employees are eligible for company paid holidays on their first day of employment and personal paid time off begins after six months of employment.

SAFETY MATTERS

At Pratt, we realize that in order for our employees to be productive, happy and successful, they need a safe environment in which to work. That is why we instill a strong commitment to safety amongst all of our team members, from general managers to hourly employees and throughout all levels of the organization.

However, safety doesn’t stop at work. We regularly encourage safety practices at home through reminders, tips and safety items to be shared, such as sunscreen and first aid travel kits for summer vacations.

“At Pratt, safety is at the core of what we do,” said Ryan Peart, Safety Director. “By following our key principles, we ensure that our organization operates safely and efficiently. More importantly, we ensure that our employees have the ability to work in a safe, productive environment. We also encourage employees to take safety practices home and try to do a few fun things each year to promote safety away from work.”

COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND HEALTH

Pratt understands that complete health and happiness goes beyond our work and personal circles to include the communities in which we live and work. From food, bookbag and toy drives to sponsoring local institutions and non-profits, Pratt employees are excited and inspired by ongoing efforts of leaders and team members to support the local communities they love and the people within who need a little extra help.

“Volunteering has been a life-changing experience for me. It’s an amazing feeling when you know you are helping others in need,” said Sergio Espinal, production lead, at Pratt Staten Island, NY Corrugator. “The greatest part is that Pratt supports volunteering. Our plant held a coat and winter clothes drive for the nonprofit where I volunteer.”

ONE PRATT. ONE TEAM.

Pratt employees often share that while they love the work they do, it is the people of Pratt that make the organization such a wonderful place to work. According to Allison Jepsen, plant manager at Pratt Rockwall, TX Corrugator, “Pratt is more than just a place of employment for me. It is family. Every day, I am surrounded by people who I care about and who care about me.”

“Pratt does a great job of making you feel valued, no matter what your level of position. I have had conversations with senior leaders in my division, where I truly felt heard and valued,” said Jessica Jordan, sales representative at Pratt Richmond, VA Converter. “Having leaders who listen is so important because it encourages everyone to speak up and share their thoughts, which helps our company continue to grow.”

With an ever changing and competitive market place, Pratt Industries strives to provide our employees with a variety of resources that benefit employees, their families and the communities they love. To learn more about opportunities at Pratt, visit Careers.PrattIndustries.com.

*“The Top 6 Things Employees Want In Their Next Job,” Gallup Survey: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/389807/top-things-employees-next-job.aspx

Pratt Industries provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.

ANTHONY PRATT DONATES $2 MILLION TO THE ALI CENTER

In recognition of what would have been Muhammad Ali’s 80th Birthday on January 17, 2022, Anthony Pratt donated $2 Million to the Ali Center to honor Ali’s legacy and further the work and programs at the center. The donation will provide the Ali Center with the resources to expand its reach within the community and create new and impactful initiatives.

“I am extremely grateful for Anthony’s generous donation to the Muhammad Ali Center in honor of Muhammad’s 80th birthday. It is very moving,” said Lonnie Ali, co-founder and vice chair of the Muhammad Ali Center. “When Muhammad and I opened the Center more than sixteen years ago, we envisioned it to be a place where Muhammad’s legacy would provide inspiration to all people to achieve their own personal greatness, whether on-site or virtually. Anthony’s gift will allow the Center to continue its current endeavors while providing resources to expand our reach within our community and far beyond with new and impactful initiatives. Anthony was always a good friend to Muhammad while he was alive. Today, he continues to honor and celebrate Muhammad and his legacy.”

The Muhammad Ali Center, located in Louisville, Kentucky, seeks to inspire both children and adults to form new commitments in their lives in the areas of personal growth, integrity, and respect for others. Anthony Pratt was a founding patron of the Ali Center and has had a longtime friendship with Lonnie and Muhammad Ali. For more information, visit AliCenter.org.

PRATT ANNOUNCES DONATION TO KENTUCKY TORNADO RELIEF EFFORTS AT GROUNDBREAKING OF HENDERSON PLANT

Anthony Pratt recently donated two million dollars to support Western Kentucky communities to aid tornado relief efforts and fight food insecurity. At the December 16, 2021, groundbreaking of Pratt’s newest 100% recycled paper mill, located in Henderson, Kentucky, Pratt announced that one million dollars was being given to Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund. The relief fund was established by Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear to assist those impacted by the December 2021 tornados and the severe weather that struck area residents. Pratt also announced an additional one million dollars was being donated to Tri State Food Bank who distributes food to nonprofit organizations in 33 counties in the region, including Christian Community Outreach in Henderson, to help fight food insecurity.

Beyond Pratt’s two million-dollar donation to relief efforts, Gov. Beshear suggested that the new Pratt paper mill and corrugated box plant— which he described as the biggest economic development achievement in Western Kentucky in the past 25 years — could be part of the healing of the region. Pratt Industries expects to create more than 320 full time jobs plus an additional 700 jobs during the construction phase of its $500 million investment. Learn more here.

HELLOFRESH AND PRATT INDUSTRIES TEAM UP TO COMBAT FOOD INSECURITY

HelloFresh, the world’s leading meal kit company, and Pratt Industries, America’s 5th largest corrugated packaging company, have teamed up with food rescue organization Second Helpings Atlanta, to provide 8,000 meals per week to those facing food insecurity in Atlanta. Pratt’s sponsorship of the Meals with Meaning initiative began in 2021 to support HelloFresh’s efforts to provide access to fresh, nutritious food to those in need. The goal of the program is to distribute more than 400,000 meals to Atlanta residents through 2022.

Through its Meals with Meaning program, HelloFresh distributed 1.5 million meals in 2021, doubling the program’s overall efforts from 2020 of 750,000 meals distributed. Learn more about the partnership.

Pratt Industries is dedicated to the communities in which we live, work and serve. Our company, leaders and employees strive to regularly donate time, money and resources to a variety of deserving causes and organizations. Learn more about Pratt’s philanthropic efforts here.

TALENT OUTREACH ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES

Throughout the year, our corrugated packaging experts visit college campuses and universities across the country to recruit talent and educate students on careers in the corrugated packaging industry. We do this through in-class seminars, packaging club presentations and networking events. We have established several relationships with well-known packaging programs including those at Clemson University, Virginia Tech and Michigan State.

By collaborating with faculty and students in these settings, students are introduced to what corrugated packaging is, how it is produced and why it is so broadly used across a variety of industries. During these interactions, students are encouraged to exchange ideas with Pratt professionals and gain insight into how the skills they acquire in college apply to real-life work scenarios. These interactions set the stage for students to consider an internship, co-op or even future career with Pratt Industries.

BRINGING CLASSROOM LESSONS TO LIFE

Pratt offers career development opportunities for active employees, through our Maintenance Apprenticeship and Tuition Reimbursement programs, and for students through our College Internship and Co-op programs. Each of these programs allows individuals to use the knowledge gained in the classroom and apply it to real life work situations.

Maintenance Apprenticeship Program

Open to current employees, Pratt’s maintenance technician apprenticeship program is a collaboration with local technical schools to provide a combination of classroom and on-the-job training tailored to the participant’s specific role. Each week, an employee spends a half day in the classroom followed by working their normal shift at one of our participating plants. During their shifts, the employees work closely with onsite coaches to apply the skills learned in the classroom to real life situations.

“The educational opportunities Pratt provides are not only valuable, but make Pratt Industries a great place to build a career.”

Bruno Moritiz, Maintenance, Participant in Maintenance Apprenticeship Program
Pratt Corrugating – Allentown, PA

Participants successfully graduate from the 24-month program after completing their technical school classes and receiving a positive assessment of the mechanical, electrical and troubleshooting skills they have learned. This hybrid approach to training reinforces classroom learning with work experience. These experienced employees, in turn, are able to mentor and educate their fellow employees, enhancing the pipeline of knowledgeable workers and the next generation.

“The Maintenance Apprenticeship program was developed with a twin vision approach. First, to provide our employees and potential new hire candidates career options within Pratt Industries. Secondly, to ensure that our company can stay ahead of the labor demand with a pipeline of skilled technicians. The program provides our employees the advantage to keep pace with the latest industry advancements, machinery improvements and technology,” said Artie Louszko, Director; Pratt U., Pratt Industries.

College Internships and Co-ops

At Pratt, we value the new and innovative perspectives that college students bring to the organization through our internship and co-op programs. As part of these programs, interns receive hands-on experience within their fields of study. Working alongside experienced Pratt employees, students can apply the skills and knowledge gained in the classroom to real-world scenarios. Opportunities are available throughout the country and across a wide-range of disciplines from packaging design and HR to finance and operations. Our internships typically take place during summer break months. Participants in our co-op program do so during the school year and work as a full time Pratt employee earning college credit. Participants in both programs gain insights into the corrugated packaging industry, learn about sustainable business practices and build professional relationships that can help them as they launch their careers.

“My design internship with Pratt Industries has been nothing short of transformative. I have learned so much while working hands-on, applying my classroom knowledge directly to real world design problems. Pratt stayed interested in my growth as a student and as a designer throughout the internship and was a great support system.”

Mckenna Haley, Intern, Western Michigan University
Pratt Converting – Grand Rapids, MI

“I learned about Pratt Industries when I participated in a college co-op program with one of their customers. The relationships that I developed during that experience helped me secure a job with Pratt upon graduation. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to coordinate aspects of Pratt’s internship program, which has been very rewarding. Our goal is to offer interns a structured, educational program with meaningful work and exposure to the entire organization. Our interns bring energy and a fresh perspective, while learning about our corporate culture and the type of work they could do post-graduation,” said Laurie Dyches, Director of Training and Development at Pratt.

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Sometimes employees realize that they desire to further their careers and personal goals by obtaining a degree. Many of our new employees begin on the production floor as high school graduates, unsure of what their career paths may be. Over time, they realize they want to pursue their college degree for personal reasons or to continue to grow their careers. Other employees desire to participate in a graduate program and further their education with a second or advanced degree.

Pratt encourages employees to complete their college or graduate degrees while they work with the help of our tuition reimbursement program. As part of the program, Pratt covers a portion of an employee’s tuition as long as the course selection meets certain eligibility requirements.

“It has been said that an employee who learns is 24 percent more likely to be happy with their job. I can attest to that statement being true. I graduated in May 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety & Health because of the Pratt Tuition Reimbursement Program. This feat almost seemed impossible before I became a part of the Pratt Recycling team. Thanks to this program, I have achieved one of my major educational goals. In October 2021, I began my Master’s degree with the help of the program as well.”

Rebecca Carpenter, Safety Coordinator
Pratt Recycling, Inc. – Denton, TX

One of Pratt’s key principles is to look after our best people. Our numerous talent outreach and development programs allow us to build a pipeline of highly trained and engaged professionals and to continue to invest in our employees throughout their career with Pratt, helping them to achieve both personal and professional aspirations.

To learn more about our talent outreach and development programs and career opportunities with Pratt, visit Careers.PrattIndustries.com or contact Courtney Johnson at cljohnson@prattindustries.com.

Pratt Industries provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.

“Our internship and co-op programs are very special to Pratt,” said Mark Kempa, Executive Vice President of Human Resources. “We have invested a great deal of time and effort to ensure that they will provide relevant professional experience for the students while building on Pratt’s long term commitment to establishing a talent pipeline of young professionals to fill future positions.”

Broad Range of Opportunities

Pratt offers internships and co-ops in a variety of disciplines at locations throughout the country. Internships typically take place during summer break months, while the co-ops occur during the school year allowing participants to work as a full-time Pratt employee earning college credit to fulfill their program requirements. Internships and co-ops are offered across a variety of fields including finance and accounting, chemical and mechanical engineering, human resources, marketing, packaging design and others.

Interns and co-ops are integral parts of their local teams and provide new, valuable insights to the projects on which they work. All program participants are challenged to apply the lessons learned in the classroom to projects that directly impact business operations.

“Our goal is to create a thorough program with meaningful projects that allow interns and co-ops to get real world experience while bringing new ideas to Pratt,” said Laurie Dyches, Director of Pratt U. “The program benefits both the students and Pratt as a company. Many of the solutions that the students bring to the table are implemented by our plants. From this, the students gain confidence and experience within their disciplines and Pratt gains new solutions and insights.”

Projects can range from assisting with steam piping in the paper mills or designing customized packaging for customers to generating creative marketing communications or managing employee recruitment and HR efforts. In a survey completed by recent program participants, more than 90% agreed that the skills they gained during the program were useful and directly applicable to their disciplines.*

“The projects that I worked on during my internship at Pratt were very relevant to my major,” shared Evan Charney, Mechanical Engineering intern at Conyers, GA. “We were able to apply the drawings, calculations and theories that we learned in class directly to our projects in the paper mill to see them come to life.”

Learning from Professionals, Networking with Leaders

Pratt also fosters an open environment where interns and co-ops are encouraged to share their perspectives and interact with employees at all levels of the organization. Many participants shared that their supervisors and coworkers made the experience both educational and enjoyable.

In addition to on the job learning, interns are encouraged to share their experiences with one another through virtual meetings and discussions in collaborative sessions, including at Pratt’s in-person, two-day summit held at the corporate headquarters in Atlanta. At the summit, students present projects they completed during the program to each other and to executive leaders, sharing how their projects were implemented at their specific locations or across the division.

“What makes our program special is that our senior leaders are actively engaged,” said Dyches. “They regularly attend the virtual intern and co-op meetings as well as the end of program summit. During this in person meeting, members of our leadership team attend the presentations, provide feedback and build relationships with participants.”

Developing a Career Path

Through the internship and co-op programs, Pratt is building and growing a talent pipeline of future employees, and more than 85% of surveyed participants agreed that they would be interested in a potential full-time job at Pratt upon graduation.*

“My accounting internship at Pratt resulted in an offer for a full-time position with the company after I graduated,” said Austin Muse, Business Analyst at Pratt Corporate in Atlanta. “In my new role, I am able to work and learn from exceptional leaders who impart valuable lessons that help me grow professionally and personally.”

“Internships and co-ops are most successful when they are mutually beneficial to both the intern and the company providing the internship,” said Kempa. “Our goal is to ensure that our interns and co-ops are exposed to the many challenging, yet rewarding, career opportunities that we have available so that when they are ready to begin their careers, they consider Pratt first.”

To learn more about internship and co-op opportunities with Pratt, visit Careers.PrattIndustries.com and search Intern.

*Source: 2022 Pratt Industries Intern & Co-op Program Survey

Pratt Industries provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.

A few of our many Pratt employee veterans have shared their career stories and advice to veterans new to the civilian workforce in their own words.

Casey Adams
Assistant Mill Chemist
Pratt Paper Mills – Shreveport, LA
U.S. Air Force

“I was in the Air Force for 4 years where I was responsible for maintaining nuclear assets and their launch platforms. I am currently an Assistant Mill Chemist at our paper mill in Shreveport, LA. Because of my experience in the Air Force, I tend to gravitate towards more mechanical or technical forms of employment, and Pratt definitely ticked all the boxes in that regard. Additionally, it was made clear as I was searching for a job, that hiring veterans was a priority for the company.

At Pratt, the style of work and camaraderie between team members creates a familiar environment for anyone recently separating or retiring from military service. If I could offer any advice to veterans transitioning out of service, it would be to find a company or career path that creates an environment that fosters the kind of unit cohesion you see in the various branches of service like Pratt does for me.”

Alec Benny
Production Technician
Pratt Paper Mills – Wapakoneta, OH
U.S. Marine Corps

“Pratt values veterans. I served in the U.S. Marine Corps for five years as an Airframe Mechanic on the F-35B and ended my time in service as a Sergeant ensuring quality maintenance was performed on the aircrafts. In the service, I was able to climb the ladder to new ranks; however, that did not follow me into a civilian job, so I had to start from scratch. Searching for a job was a bit stressful, but Pratt made it easier. Pratt was the first company to call me back while I was looking for a job. They were understanding of me still being on active duty and helped me through the application process while I was out of state. They identified open positions that would provide me with hands-on work, which is what I enjoyed during my military career.

The support that I received during the application process has continued now that I am a Pratt employee. I’ve learned that my leaders and coworkers work together as a team and respect each other and the jobs that we each do. Also, working at Pratt has given me a higher skill set that will help me continue to build my career. For those veterans who are making the transition to a civilian career, I would say start looking for career options early. The military offers transitional readiness classes that can help you decide what you are interested in. Take advantage of those opportunities and search for a company like Pratt who will help you along the way.”

Jeff Gadell
Safety & Quality Operations Coordinator
Pratt Paper Mills – Conyers, GA
U.S. Army

“Being in the military instilled a sense of discipline and teamwork in me that transitioned well to my civilian career with Pratt Industries. The principles and discipline that I acquired in the Army helped me to focus on getting the ‘mission accomplished’ while working on projects. This focus helps me successfully complete many of the safety and quality initiatives that I manage every day.

When I transitioned from the military to Pratt, I learned that it is important to find a company that will support you in continuing your education and bettering yourself. Pratt Industries provides tuition support for full time employees that choose to seek to continue their education in a way that supports the company.”

Hunter Hardesty
Material Handler
Pratt Paper Mills – Wapakoneta, OH
U.S. Army

“After serving for six years as an Artilleryman in the U.S. Army, I knew that I was leaving the service with experience that may not translate to civilian life, and I would likely have to start over completely. As I searched for a new career, Pratt Industries came to the top of my search list because I learned that Pratt is a stable and growing company with a lot of room for growth for their employees.

In just my first six months, they have proven that they truly value their employees. My life as an artilleryman was extremely different from my new job here at Pratt, but I learned to pay attention to detail and that has helped me a lot in my position. It also helps because everyone I’ve worked with in the plant has been very welcoming and happy to answer all my questions. Pratt made my transition from the military to a civilian career easier with a positive work environment and helpful coworkers. Knowing which days I will be working and sleeping in my own bed every night are pretty great too!”

Jay Jones
Shift Coordinator
Pratt Paper Mills – Conyers, GA
U.S. Navy

“My military career taught me how to work in a structured environment as a part of a larger team. It also instilled in me the importance of attention to detail and taking pride in your work. When I left the military, I was searching for a job.
Pratt provided me with that job and helped me turn that job into a career. I remember what the person who interviewed me said when I came in. He told me that he would give any person a chance. It has stuck with me throughout my career here. From that one chance that I was given, Pratt provided me with training that introduced me to the concept of what a paper mill was and the processes that go with it.

When I was in the military, I worked with a great group of people who taught me the importance of teamwork. I’m honored to say that the people I work with at Pratt are just as amazing. They are truly the best at what they accomplish daily. It is a privilege to work with such a talented, hardworking group of people. Similar to what I would share with my coworkers who want to progress in their careers, I would tell veterans leaving the military to research the jobs that you are interested in early. Learn the skills that you need for that career and then begin applying.”

Greg Leidel
Key Account and Safety Manager
Pratt Converting – Albert Lea, MN (Minnesota Corrugated Box)
U.S. Army and U.S. Army National Guard

“I served in the U.S. Army and Army National Guard for 21 years, retiring in 2005 as an Infantry Platoon Sergeant. During that time, I received two Bronze Stars and CIB for service in Afghanistan. While serving in the Army National Guard, I also worked for Minnesota Corrugated Box (MCB), an independent, family owned business that was purchased by Pratt in 2016. The skills that I learned in my military career have provided me with a drive and focus that prepared me for my role at Pratt.

The leaders of Pratt – MCB were…and still are…supportive of their veteran employees. They worked with me to make my transition fully to a civilian career a success. Pratt provides a variety of resources for their teams including on-the-job-training and other career advancement opportunities. The career that I have built in my 30 years with MCB and Pratt is one that I am proud of and built on the foundation that I received in the Army. To those veterans who will be transitioning to civilian life, I would say to be patient. Take your time adjusting and keep your focus as your skills do cross over. If you keep that in mind, you will be successful.”

Ben Morris
Production Engineer
Pratt Paper Mills – Valparaiso, IN
U.S. Army

“I served as a Combat Engineer in the U.S. Army for nine years. When it was time for me to leave the service and pursue a civilian job, I knew that I wanted to find a career in the manufacturing or industrial sectors. I felt that the skills that I’d learned in the Army would translate well to the skills needed in those sectors. Initially, finding a job was difficult because I was searching at a time that jobs were limited and many companies were not hiring. Thankfully, I found an opening at Pratt Industries that met the job requirements that I had in mind for myself.

When I joined Pratt, I immediately appreciated the structure that they provide to their teams. This structure is very similar to what I experienced in the military and keeps us on target to reach the goals that we set. They also provide a great schedule that allows me to spend time with my family and friends. And, as I thought, many of my skills did translate to Pratt Industries, but they also provided me with the opportunity to learn new skills and grow into new roles within the organization. An added bonus is that I get to work with a group of great people who I enjoy. As I think about my career and of those veterans who are leaving the service, I would tell them that when you are looking for a new job, find a company that recognizes and values your worth. I found just that in Pratt.”

Johnathon Nash
Shift Supervisor
Pratt Paper Mills – Shreveport, LA
U.S. Marine Corps

“I was in the Marine Corps for eight years and held a number of different roles. I was deployed to Iraq twice and was able to go to the Marine Expeditionary Unit for my last deployment. After my enlistment, I was an instructor of the Called Battle Skills Training school before being selected for recruitment duty in Ruston, LA for the remainder of my time on active duty. I actually didn’t join Pratt immediately after the military and instead, I went to work in an oil field. After getting laid off, I wanted to find a job in a stable company so that I could build a career. Pratt Industries was that company.

I knew there may not be a big demand for people with infantry skills in the civilian workplace, but I also knew that the leadership experience that I gained in the Marines would help me find a position that I enjoyed. I found just that position at the Pratt Industries paper mill in Shreveport, LA. I’ve been able to transition my leadership skills to my current role and have been successful. I’ve also learned that everyone at Pratt works together as a team and looks out for one another.”

Tyler Riggs
Paper Machine Operator
Pratt Paper Mills – Shreveport, LA
U.S. Marine Corps

“I served in the U.S. Marine Corps as an Infantryman for five years. During that time, I found that I enjoyed projects that required me to work with my hands. When I began looking for a civilian career, I wanted to find a job that fit some of the skills I learned while in the service. Pratt had positions that met those requirements, and I know I have opportunities to advance in the future.

In my role at Pratt, I am learning new skills that I can take with me as I continue in my career. They provide excellent benefits for me and my family. Additionally, working with Pratt, I am now able to spend holidays, birthdays and other important events at home with my family which is something that wasn’t always possible when I was in the service. Transitioning out of the military is definitely a change. My best advice to other veterans joining the civilian workforce is to not forget who you are and what you have done for the greatest country in the world. Your service doesn’t go unnoticed and your brothers and sisters who served with you will always be there if you need them.”

Abbigail San Soucie
HR Manager
Pratt Corrugating – Beloit, WI
U.S. Army

“I served in the U.S. Army from 1991 until I retired in Aug. 2019. During my career in the Army, I served as a Human Resources Specialist, Army Recruiter, and Army Drill Sergeant with a combat deployment to Afghanistan. I got into HR through the U.S. Army, and I absolutely loved helping people and wanted to continue to do HR after I retired. I obtained my BS in HR while serving in the Army.

I chose Pratt because it had a close-knit teamwork feel, which was something I had in the Army and that I wanted in my civilian employer. Pratt continues to have this feel to it. They are always there for you when you need them… and not just for work. They are there for you no matter what it is you are going through or need. I have seen employees here go out of their way to personally and financially help each other. The people around me would do anything for me as I would for them. You don’t find that in the civilian sector very often, so when you do, I recommend that people hang on tight to that company.

I would encourage veterans looking for a civilian career to consider Pratt. When they say they will take care of you – they will! They are one of the only companies I have worked with that truly puts safety first – they don’t just say it and then not back it up. They are honest and transparent with their employees at all levels. They welcome change in an organized manner. This is the only place I have worked outside the Army that has made me feel the same way I did when I was in the Army. I can’t thank Pratt Industries enough for bringing me on board and making me always feel like a team member, not just an employee number!”

Mark Schumaker
Production Supervisor
Pratt Converting – Albert Lea, MN (Minnesota Corrugated Box)
U.S. Marine Corps

“I served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1987 to 1991 as a Scout Sniper. During my years in the service, I learned a number of leadership skills that have served as a foundation for me throughout my career. I joined Pratt Industries, formerly Minnesota Corrugated Box (MCB), in 1999 and have been here ever since. I’ve had the opportunity to progress in a number of different roles that have helped me grow professionally.

Pratt is a stable company that has afforded me years of job security, which does not always occur in other industries. They truly care about you as an employee and provide excellent benefits and opportunities to learn new skills and advance within the company. For any veterans considering how to move forward in their career journey, I’d tell them that your military service has given you knowledge that you can build upon. Using that knowledge, you can do anything that you set your mind to. I’d also tell them if they are looking for an opportunity to learn new skills and make a good living working with great people, they should apply to Pratt!”

Mike Schuster
Manufacturing Manager
Pratt Paper Mills – Valparaiso, IN
U.S. Air Force

“I served 4 years active duty and 1.5 years as a reservist in the U.S. Air Force. When I left the military, I learned that finding a company who would hire someone without a college degree was not easy. Initially, I began working at a county jail, which was a military-style environment. I wanted to find a career that provided the structure that I was used to in a friendly environment, which is what I found at Pratt.

Everyone here at Pratt – employees and managers – work together as a team to reach a goal. My team has helped me grow in my career and taught me a lot about the corrugated business. Despite not having a college degree, Pratt saw my commitment to the military and invested in me to help me grow. Their commitment to me as an employee has given me three promotions in my six and a half year career with Pratt. And, for that, I am very thankful.”

John Small
Production Engineer
Pratt Paper Mills – Valparaiso, IN
U.S. Army

“I served for 11 years as a Cannon Crew Member in the U.S. Army. When I left the military, I knew that I wanted to find a position where I could use the skills I gained in the Army, while also learning new skills to help in my career. I found that position in the Pratt paper mill in Valparaiso as a production engineer.

Being in the military instilled in me a good work ethic and helped me grow as a person and learn new things that I was able to use in my job at Pratt. The company’s corporate culture and my coworkers made it easy to adapt to a civilian career. At Pratt – like when I was in the Army- I am a part of a team who works together to achieve a goal. In my career, I’ve learned to know your worth and never settle for anything less than you know you deserve. At Pratt, I’ve found a company that values me and wants to help me better my future.”

Robert Yaw
Transportation & Logistics Specialist and Truck Driver
Pratt Converting – Albert Lea, MN (Minnesota Corrugated Box)
U.S. Coast Guard

“I retired from the U.S. Coast Guard after serving for 23 years in several roles including as a Helicopter Rescue Swimmer, C-130 Load Master/Drop Master and Aviation Survive Technician Chief Petty Officer. My service afforded me not only the chance to learn new skills, but the ability to travel and live in a number of different states across the country. I met hundreds of military and civilian friends along the way who I am proud to say are still my family all these years later. These opportunities taught me about myself, jobs I was interested in and lessons on how to work with a variety of personalities in different situations.

Because I am used to traveling and meeting people from different places, I knew that I needed a job where I could work outside of a building. Pratt provided me with that opportunity as a Transportation and Logistics Specialist driving our products to other plants and customers throughout the area. In this role, I am never in just one place at one time, and I get to interact with people from all over the area.

Over the years with Pratt, I have learned that making the transition from military to civilian life can take time. I would tell veterans who are making that transition that it is important to be flexible. The civilian workforce and jobs are always changing, but you will find a position that is right for you.”

About Pratt Industries
Pratt is America’s 5th largest corrugated packaging company and the world’s largest, privately-held producer of 100% recycled containerboard, with more than 7,500 highly-skilled, green-collar employees dedicated to the environment and sustainability. Pratt was founded in the USA more than 30 years ago and, since then, has shown dramatic growth with sophisticated manufacturing facilities in more than 25 states.

Pratt operates an extensive recycling company to supply our five state-of-the-art paper mills with recovered fiber. Our mills then supply our corrugators and sheet plants with 100% recycled containerboard which is used to create custom, sustainable packaging and display solutions for our customers. This integrated supply chain, consisting of material recovery facilities, paper mills, corrugators and sheet plants, helps us to pass cost savings on to our customers as well as to support their sustainability goals.

Are you a veteran transitioning into the civilian workplace? Our Careers site can match our open positions with Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes and job titles. Search for your next career now by entering your MOS code or job title into the job function of our Careers search bar. Visit careers.prattindustries.com to apply today.

Pratt Industries provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.