The Whole Package, by Premier Packaging

Know those sealed see-through plastic packages around products that are hard to open? That’s thermoforming, one of the specialties of Acuity Packaging Logistics Sourcing—both a vendor and a customer for Premier. Steve James, Vice President of Sales, discusses packaging that we’ve all experienced but given little thought, how Acuity and Premier work together, and why Premier’s such a good fit: “ Sm...

As a color commentator for sports radio, Max Godby knows how to paint a colorful story. At Premier, he helps establish our pricing strategy and provides our supply chain specialists with information about why our products could be the best fit for customers. Max also talks about his days as an offensive lineman for the University of Kentucky and why a 7500-calorie-a-day diet is not as much fun as...

Heather Updike, one of Premier’s two digital graphic designers, talks about using computer-aided design (CAD) to create the specific packaging our customers want. She enjoys the “origami aspect” of her work, trying to imagine how a design created on a flat 2-D screen will come together like multiple puzzle pieces. She also discusses where package design is headed.

Since her promotion earlier this year, Director of Customer Service Amiee Leslie has been hard at work. At Premier, the customer truly comes first and Amiee discusses how and why. She also talks about automation we have put into place to make handling customer orders more streamlined. Plus, Host Billy Watkins asks about competition between our East and West Coast Customer Service teams.

Premier’s bin box systems improve warehouse organization and increase picking and stowing speeds. Premier was a pioneer in the category, and Bin Box Program Manager Tony Givan talks about the program’s evolution and growth. Today, we have designed thousands of bin box solutions for customers. Tony also remembers Premier’s early days and childhood experiences with host Billy Watkins.

Premier has a vibrant, growing presence in Canada, servicing customers from coast to coast. Toronto-based Supply Chain Specialists Sam Ferrier and Bianca DeVito talk about the opportunities of the Canadian market—such as sustainable packaging needed because of the country’s push against plastic—and the ways Premier can help customers up north. They also discuss the intricacies of poutine.

As Premier’s Regional Operations Manager for the Ohio Valley, Mitch Payne sometimes gets calls about burst pipes, leaky roofs, and even “acts of God” affecting our facilities. He responds calmly, setting the standard for those who work for him. Here Mitch reflects on leadership, changes in warehousing since he started in 1992, and how you ensure you can find something in a building that can hold 2...

Is Styrofoam biodegradable or compostable? How should you dispose of your average pizza box? In this illuminating episode, Premier’s Sustainability Manager Mackenzie Crigger and Sustainability Specialist Adara Schneider talk about their front-line experiences in the sustainability field. They give us tips on how the average person should handle the packaging coming into their home: Reduce, re-use,...

At Premier’s 2022 national sales meeting, we assembled a giant Premier logo from 8,000 to 10,000 Lego “bricks.” The team-building exercise was created by Dayton-based Brixilated, whose specially designed Lego models help organizations tell their story. CEO/Founder Adam Mullins talks about Brixilated’s own story as well as Premier’s role in making the company’s richly designed kits.

Despite starting during the pandemic, Warehouse Lead Tim Weathers loves his job at Premier—from operating electric forklifts in our state-of-the-art Corporate Distribution Center to conversations with his coworkers and folks in other departments. He and host Billy Watkins discuss what it’s like to drive a forklift all day, the advantages of electric forklifts over propane ones, and how quickly Tim...

In 10 years, Simpsonville-based sunglass company Shady Rays has grown from two brothers filling orders in their parents’ living room to days when their company fills 10,000 online orders per shift. Premier has played a key role in that dramatic growth, from working with Shady Rays to design its distinctive box to helping automate the company’s fulfillment with a box erector. Chief Operating Office...

Premier’s first-ever Sustainability Report details where we are environmentally and our efforts to become more sustainable, such as targeting zero waste in our manufacturing plants by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. Sustainability Manager Mackenzie Crigger joins host Billy Watkins to discuss how we’re gathering sustainability data, what we’re doing well, and what we’re working to impro...

Packaging’s everywhere in our society—so much so that most of us don’t notice it. But Tom Mason does. The Packaging Design Manager-East Coast for Premier talks about the “plethora of solutions” we offer in packaging design, graphics, and testing for our customers. Tom discusses the special equipment in our Louisville Design Lab, trends in packaging, and how today’s packages are designed to protect...

Premier Packaging has played an important role in the explosive growth of Dan-O’s Seasoning through online sales of its low-sodium, all-natural seasoning. Tyler Watson and Jon Hayes of Dan-O’s talk about the company’s growth, what’s next, and why they like working with Premier: “You’re curious about your customers, and we think that’s so important because we are too … I really like your mantra abo...

Premier’s Purchasing Manager Paul Lococo juggles such challenges as inventory space, inflation, and supply chain issues while trying to anticipate demand for the thousands of items we sell to our customers. Paul talks about the impact of the pandemic and the Dallas freeze of 2021 on his job, as well as lessons learned from 27 years in the meat business. At Premier 17 years, he doesn’t anticipating...

Automation Specialist Shawn Edwards discusses the importance of automation in addressing labor issues, efficiency, and safety. Depending on the situation, automating can be as simple as switching from a hand tape gun to a case sealer, so it’s important our sales representatives know their customers’ needs and pain points. Shawn is also “wowed” by new developments in automation.

Louisville nonprofit Love the Hungry has a mission of providing nutrient-rich meals to young children suffering from malnutrition in 30 countries globally. Cofounder Dale Oelker discusses the organization’s work, its science-based meals, and Premier’s involvement. We designed and make the sturdy, colorful box that safely transports the meals in areas plagued by war and natural disasters, and our v...

Premier is in the forefront of packaging companies using tech tools like Sales Force to make our customer relationships more efficient and rewarding for both parties, according to Randi Yancey, Manager of Sales Technology. Randi also discusses her own career path and how Premier’s inclusive hiring and promoting practices have resulted in us having a higher percentage of women in IT than many compa...

In Jessica Lincoln’s 12 years with Premier, the company has grown from one manufacturing plant with 200 employees to six plants with 1200 employees. Jessica, Manager, HR – Operations, discusses how we remain competitive in attracting new workers, from our sense of community to our benefits and possibilities for advancement. We also learn about host Billy Watkins’ unusual fashion choice during his...

Host Billy Watkins interviews Sustainability Manager Mackenzie Crigger, who will fill in from time to time as guest host of The Whole Package. Mackenzie talks about how living in Japan inspired her to shift her career focus to sustainability. In the same way, she talks about Premier’s changes to make our products and our operations more sustainable.