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Optimizing Your Supply Chain with Efficient Packaging Choices
Vertical Integration
Since acquiring Rand-Whitney from his father-in-law in 1968, Robert Kraft and the Kraft family have had a vision of being able to control the manufacturing process from paper production through distribution. We became vertically integrated with the singular mission of providing unmatched product quality for our customers. Being able to remain agile in our support means being able to quickly adjust all layers of our manufacturing process.
Benefits of Vertical Integration
Efficiency and Reduced Dependency
Through our complete control of the supply chain, we have reduced dependency on outside vendors. This makes our jobs easier but more importantly it provides our customers with a partner that can serve them quickly. We don’t need to wait on long lead times from outside vendors. Our divisions being aligned towards one goal means we move quickly and efficiently to bring our customers’ vision from concept to reality.
Quality Control
By maintaining control over paper production, corrugation, converting and distribution we are able to personally ensure that proper care is taken every step of the way. Any issues that arise are immediately dealt with as we closely monitor our product and service to ensure we meet the highest quality standards.
Stability
We believe your packaging partner should be a source of stability. There are many outside disruptions to any business, we want to make sure we’re never one of them. A vertically integrated supply chain helps us maintain constant service when other companies are facing turbulent supply chain conditions.
Providing Every Level of Service
Physical Commodities Trading
At the highest level of our supply chain is International Forest Products (IFP). This division was opened in 1972. IFP operates as the sales and logistics arm of different raw material manufacturers all over the world. They buy and sell paper, wood, pulp and more in over 90 countries. It is ranked as the 7th largest U.S. exporter. They help ensure access to different material we may need and act as the logistics arm for our mill system.
Paper Mill System
The second level of our vertical integration is paper production. Quality starts with the paper you use. Being able to maintain and adjust to fit our customers needs is crucial. It’s also crucial to offering our customers supply chain stability. Rand-Whitney Containerboard, our recycled liner mill in Connecticut, manufactures paper using recycled waste water and powers most of its equipment using a cogeneration system that uses its own steam heat to generate power. We have a total of 5 paper mills across the United States.
Packaging Manufacturing
The final stage is packaging manufacturing. Rand-Whitney uses a network of corrugator and sheet plants to service customers across the country. Using our own corrugators, we maintain the high degree of quality that we demand of ourselves through our sheet production. Uniform sheet quality is key to being able to sustain packaging production with minimal defects. We convert packaging in 30+ locations across the country. Customers can count on Rand-Whitney to provide a high degree of service whether they are operating locally or nationally.
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