Peachtree Packaging & Display CEO and President Chad Wagner recently participated in an expert panel exploring entrepreneurship strategies for packaging manufacturers. Wagner joined five other C-suite packaging executives at The Independent Packaging Association’s spring meeting, which also marked its 50th anniversary.
Held in Palm Desert, California, the panel was moderated by Joe Morelli, vice president of sales and marketing at Huston Patterson and Lewisburg Printing Co., and Jeff Pallini, CEO of Fosber America Inc. Panelists included Wagner, plus from President Container Group Co-President Larry Grossbard and Co-President Richard Grossbard, and from Akers Packaging Service Group, CEO Bill Akers, Chairman Jim Akers, and Managing Director Andrew Akers.
Wagner discussed his career at Peachtree Packaging & Display, which began when he was 16, sweeping the floors. Despite his humble beginnings, he had an important mentor, former co-owner Terry Roof, who recruited him. Five years after starting at Peachtree, he felt he understood the business and the opportunities its merit-based organizational structure offered.
“The company was built in a way that allowed all of the key employees or the star performers to be shareholders there. It wasn’t a given; that was earned…So I set my sights on that very early on, worked very hard, hoped an opportunity would come along…and ultimately it did,” said Wagner.
Developing his relationships with other shareholders was also key in Wagner’s ascension as Peachtree’s CEO and his vision for growing the company. “One stick is weak, and a bundle is not. I felt like if we could gather in a line, that group, maybe a second generation of ownership could be born out of that.”
In 2016, Wagner, along with shareholders Vice President of Sales Ed Davis and Vice President Andy Auchmuty, had the opportunity to purchase the company. They had a vision for what Peachtree could be, but it required significant new investments in infrastructure. Since 2016, Peachtree has purchased two state-of-the-art printers to enhance its capabilities: a Gopfert 5-Color Dual-Die Cutting Press and a Barberan Jetmaster 2.0 Digital Press.
“The two gentlemen I aligned myself with were salesmen there as well. We were all in the sales field, and all of us had opportunities inside some of our biggest customers that we couldn’t capitalize on. What we saw in Peachtree was a great company full of hardworking people, but it lacked in equipment capacity…so our business plan was to try to advance the capabilities of the equipment when we bought the business and advance the systems behind the new equipment. I think that it’s an easy way for everyone to understand to grow your business…land and expand.”
Wagner also said hiring or contracting with experienced consultants to advise them during the changes was critical. Those key players helped Peachtree optimize its manufacturing equipment and processes while providing essential business analytics to measure their progress and performance.
Wagner also says active participation in industry groups like the AICC helped fuel the company’s success. “I’ve met countless people and have built great relationships, and the business is very cooperative. People have been willing to open doors, and we’ve learned a lot.”
Reflecting on his career and the eight years since he took over the direction of Peachtree, Wagner offered this advice to aspiring leaders in any industry. He said if you find something that is a fit, and you want to succeed, you have to jump in both feet first and be fearless. “I think the biggest thing I’ve learned so far is that you have to be willing to look in the mirror, and you have to be willing to evolve because things change. And with change, if you don’t evolve, you’ll get left behind quickly.”
For more information, visit www.peachtreepackaging.com.