I get asked a lot by friends and referrals on how to determine a good box maker employer and a bad box maker employer. Paperboard packaging companies are truly the least attractive places to work inside. Why? the answer is simple: packaging owners like to keep the money close to the lobby. I have walked through many independent manufacturers in the United States and Canada, and have seen a wide spectrum of the good, bad, and the ugly. You could not pay me enough to work in some of these factories.

I remember one time walking through a box packaging manufacturer in El Paso, Texas, and the owner was so proud of his achievements, and was looking forward to showing his operation – his trophy. The lobby was gorgeous and very welcoming, but when I walked through the door to production I could not believe the chaos I witnessed on the floor: clutter, junk, trash, and total disorganization – sloppy! The factory lights were so dim it was too dark and dismal. As you got closer to the building walls it was pitch black – you could not see. The only bright lighted area to find direction was at the printing press console. Saving on utility costs was obviously high on the list. The owner only sparred bare minimum for the factory employees. There was no main pathway or flow through the factory. The highlight of the tour was the owner’s office with a full wide wall of video monitors facing the owner’s desk, and a beautiful connecting private bathroom. Absolutely pathetic! I felt so sorry for those employees.

If you’re looking to work for a particular paperboard box manufacturer, and you’re not sure if this is the right choice or meets your standards, the fastest and most reliable way of learning about the true character of the ownership and how they care for their employees and invest in the workplace, DO THIS:

Walk to the farthest men’s restroom on the property or way back of the building, take a peak inside the last restroom for men, look at the walls, flooring, inside of the door stalls, overall condition, and tell me what you see.

This will tell you everything about the owner(s) character, interests, priorities, integrity, the workers hired, and the trained management they support. This tells you how much the ownership invests in their employees and their working environment. It says everything you need to know. If you see a trashy, disgusting, half working men’s restroom with writings and etchings on the walls, maybe some porno magazine pics, and partial or no supply of toilet paper and amenities, its time to leave and don’t look back. Think hard about this. The floor supervisors have no requirements, no discipline, minimum standards, and they focus only on the product. Their standards are too low, and not a concern from the ownership. The filth and odor should clearly tell you, the owner’s interests are elsewhere and are priority. Do not let anyone tell you differently. I’ve seen too many of these working conditions. Good management with integrity will enforce the discipline, rules and procedures to maintain a healthy and rich environment that motivates and provides the comfort to each man and woman employee, and for them to excel and beat the cost estimate for each job order. Ha! It’s true.

If you find a clean, and professional restroom like you see in a high-end restaurant that’s safe, comfortable and has no gross paraphernalia and graffiti, and is well maintained, you found a good employer with integrity, leadership, embedding inspiration to it’s team and selflessness. That’s gold.

One other way to learn about the true character and interests of a selfish and self-centered box owner… if you drive up to the front of the office building, and you see the owner’s Mercedes, Porsche, or his pride and joy being detailed by mobile car washer in the front or the side of the building around the other employee’s cars, that says it all. Makes me want to puke.

It’s time take a bathroom break, friend, and look for the true colors.