Southern Champion Tray: 1990's - Current
The nineties ushered in a period of change and rapid growth. Chuck began to transition the ownership and day to day management of Southern Champion to John and Bruce. The sales department also saw significant growth in that time through the addition of some key talent. Early in the decade, SCT's market expanded to include the continental United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. With sales growth came the need for additional space. The property adjoining the stock plant was purchased and over 200,000 sq. feet of additional air-conditioned manufacturing space was adjoined. The 90's were a decade of significant investment in both capacity and capability.
Despite the rapid growth in the nineties, one constant for Southern Champion has been the fact that the men and women who are Southern Champion set us apart. We have been fortunate through the years to attract people that truly have a disposition toward service. That shows up in hundreds of small and large ways, but it all translates into customer service, friendly attitudes, and pride in doing a good job. We have experienced people in key positions, many of whom have been part of the company for over 20 years. In fact, we have 4 individuals who have been with the company for over 40 years, and most of them have a ways to go before they retire. The contributions of people like these and so many others at SCT have made the process of growing this company and serving our customers both a joy and a privilege.
The new millennium has seen SCT's market for stock products expand further to include export business beginning in Mexico and continuing worldwide. Today our sales and marketing teams work with the international community to extend our products and brands to business in countries across the globe. Modernization of production facilities and equipment continues with the addition of state of the art printing equipment in sheet-fed and web-fed plants.
Today, our Texas facility primarily serves a regional market with retail packaging and high quality graphics produced on 7 and 6 color offset presses and modern, sheet-fed blankers and die-cutters. In 1997, Southern Champion added to its presence in the sheet-fed carton market with the purchase of Precision Packaging in Chattanooga. And, most recently, in 2004, we furthered our expansion with the acquisition of GMI, Glenmark Industries, a paperboard packaging company formerly based in Indiana. John Zeiser became President in 1993 and today serves as President and CEO. Bruce Zeiser is Vice President and heads the Human Resources function. Chuck maintains an active interest in the business and serves as Chairman of the Board.
A solid foundation has been built, and we have been blessed with good people to carry on what has long been known as a good company to do business with. We still work very hard to maintain that reputation by ensuring good service and consistent quality. With the blessing of the Lord, we hope to see many more years of solid growth. We look forward to the future.
Chuck has six grandchildren, so the possibility of a fourth generation of family involvement exists... but that's a chapter for much later.
The nineties ushered in a period of change and rapid growth. Chuck began to transition the ownership and day to day management of Southern Champion to John and Bruce. The sales department also saw significant growth in that time through the addition of some key talent. Early in the decade, SCT's market expanded to include the continental United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada. With sales growth came the need for additional space. The property adjoining the stock plant was purchased and over 200,000 sq. feet of additional air-conditioned manufacturing space was adjoined. The 90's were a decade of significant investment in both capacity and capability.
Despite the rapid growth in the nineties, one constant for Southern Champion has been the fact that the men and women who are Southern Champion set us apart. We have been fortunate through the years to attract people that truly have a disposition toward service. That shows up in hundreds of small and large ways, but it all translates into customer service, friendly attitudes, and pride in doing a good job. We have experienced people in key positions, many of whom have been part of the company for over 20 years. In fact, we have 4 individuals who have been with the company for over 40 years, and most of them have a ways to go before they retire. The contributions of people like these and so many others at SCT have made the process of growing this company and serving our customers both a joy and a privilege.
The new millennium has seen SCT's market for stock products expand further to include export business beginning in Mexico and continuing worldwide. Today our sales and marketing teams work with the international community to extend our products and brands to business in countries across the globe. Modernization of production facilities and equipment continues with the addition of state of the art printing equipment in sheet-fed and web-fed plants.
Today, our Texas facility primarily serves a regional market with retail packaging and high quality graphics produced on 7 and 6 color offset presses and modern, sheet-fed blankers and die-cutters. In 1997, Southern Champion added to its presence in the sheet-fed carton market with the purchase of Precision Packaging in Chattanooga. And, most recently, in 2004, we furthered our expansion with the acquisition of GMI, Glenmark Industries, a paperboard packaging company formerly based in Indiana. John Zeiser became President in 1993 and today serves as President and CEO. Bruce Zeiser is Vice President and heads the Human Resources function. Chuck maintains an active interest in the business and serves as Chairman of the Board.
A solid foundation has been built, and we have been blessed with good people to carry on what has long been known as a good company to do business with. We still work very hard to maintain that reputation by ensuring good service and consistent quality. With the blessing of the Lord, we hope to see many more years of solid growth. We look forward to the future.
Chuck has six grandchildren, so the possibility of a fourth generation of family involvement exists... but that's a chapter for much later.
