Who Knew? Travels with Larry July 29, 2011
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 Who knew that a town, with a population of 1,675, whose tag line is "The Northwoods is our backyard" located on Long Lake, in the great state of Wisconsin, is home to one of the best known names in today's worldwide corrugated and folding carton machinery industries?
 MarquipWardUnited, (a TAPPI Sustaining member for 55 years) three solid names combined into one company, is a leading manufacturer of corrugated equipment from starch kitchens to stackers, rotary die cutters and flexo folder gluers and sheeters for the folding carton industries.
"By uniting some of the most recognized names in the industry-Marquip, Ward, United, VortX Apollo and Curioni-we bring customers the most complete range of advanced corrugated, sheeting, and finishing solutions available on the market." According to Timothy Sullivan, CEO of MarquipWardUnited.
In addition to the Phillips, WI location, MarquipWardUnited also operates manufacturing facilities in Baltimore, MD, Milton, PA, Bedford, UK, Budapest, Hungary, and Lodi, Italy.
MarquipWardUnited is one of nine divisions who make up the family of Barry-Wehmiller Companies. BWC has sales of approximately $1.3 billion and a team of 5,400 associates.
Eric Fletty and I were invited by Miles Fletcher, Corrugating Sales Manager, long term TAPPI Member and a leader on TAPPI's Corrugating Division Council, to come and witness the MarquipWardUnited difference firsthand.
The agenda, that Miles prepared, was as advertised. A Red Carpet Welcome was an understatement. Phillips, WI is not an easy place to get to so the MWU team goes all out to make it worth your while. A rotating team of employees actually give you a Red Carpet Welcome from the moment that you arrive. MWU owns several custom cabins and a lodge to house and feed even the most challenging taste. From a pontoon boat ride on Long Lake to a gourmet dinner (prepared by a local chef), they work very hard to make you feel at home.
 
The TEAM Concept can be seen throughout their entire plant and offices.
Some of the other team members who helped us on our visit were; Randy Lorenz-President, of the Americas, John Walter-VP Operations, Blake Pluemer-VP of Sales USA and Canada, Trish Kempkes- Director of Global Communications, Julie Podmolik-CO Parts Value Stream Leader, Art Burkart – Media Specialist
MWU literally has customer service and field service teams around the world to support their products well after the initial sale. As they like to say, "From Starch to Finish" they are there for you. "We Build Great People Who Do Extraordinary Things."
They offer Corrugating, Finishing, and Sheeting Equipment as well as Aftermarket Support and Financing Options.
Our visit was well worth our time. It was extremely refreshing to see a company who has turned LEAN Manufacturing into a LEAN with People–Centric Leadership to create a culture that touches the lives of people.
 As the owner of a furniture store about an hour outside of Memphis says, "We are worth the Drive", so is a visit to one of Phillips, Wisconsin's best assets, MWU.
Speaking of it's worth the drive...employees are nominated by their peers for excellence in performance and then selected by former SSR winners for an opportunity to drive this Chevrolet SSR for 1 week, all fuel is paid and they receive a ½ day off work. The recognition is priceless.
For more information on MarquipWardUnited visit their website, or follow them at www.allthingspackaging.com.
For more information on joining TAPPI or scheduling a Travels with Larry visit to your company go to www.tappi.org
There are two types of people in our industry; TAPPI members and those who should be.
Until next time...
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