Below please find an important message from the Fibre Box Association. We wanted to include it in our blog this month because it contains so much valuable information regarding our industry and how we are helping to serve the greater good during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please take a look and reach out to us with any questions, concerns or upcoming projects you may have.
We know things are changing rapidly, and our project team stands uniquely poised to help you as you make changes to how you are bringing products to market.
Thanks, always for your attention.
Thank You For Making Boxes
Apr 23, 2020
At the onset of the novel coronavirus, when we first heard about the pandemic that causes COVID-19, we also learned about the meaning of “Stay at Home” orders and what was deemed “Essential Businesses”.
As the Guidance on Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce was rolled out by the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), both federal and state governments and the rest of us quickly learned that nothing safely moves food and other consumer products, medical and pharmaceutical products, tissue and hygiene products and more as effectively or efficiently as a corrugated cardboard box. From point A to point B, corrugated boxes are specifically engineered to protect and cushion products along their journey. Simply put, corrugated cardboard packaging is the backbone of the American supply chain.
To keep the flow of products moving to market, the corrugated industry was recognized as “essential”. The US corrugated packaging industry is a $35.2 billion manufacturing sector. There are 1,183 box plants operating in nearly 1,000 cities and towns across America. The corrugated industry provides employment and benefits to more than 100,000 Americans. The industry makes packaging that is essential to our everyday lives from renewable and recyclable resources. In fact, more than 95 percent of all goods consumed in North America are packaged and transported in corrugated packaging and close to 40 percent of all corrugated packaging produced annually is used to package food and beverages.
Disruption in the availability of these goods would cause significant hardships to consumers across the country who depend on steady and stable supplies.
Box manufacturers have stepped up to the challenge. They have increased production of corrugated cardboard boxes to keep transport packaging flowing to other makers of essential products including packaging for food and other consumer products, medical and pharmaceutical products, tissue and hygiene products and more. Corrugated cardboard boxes are essential to supporting online purchases of goods being delivered directly to homes.
For this ongoing work, the Fibre Box Association (FBA) salutes all of the front-line employees in the corrugated industry. To our member companies’ teams and our industry’s suppliers, we are grateful for your dedication and commitment to your jobs and for making corrugated packaging. We extend a heartfelt thank you for the work you are doing to keep the supply chain moving.
And we are not alone in recognizing your daily achievements. FBA has been posting our thanks to social media platforms and we’re getting comments back.
On LinkedIn, we heard from Amy who said, “Thanks to all that keep our box plants running!!!!”, from Rhea who said, “100% agree! Thank you so much to everyone working around the clock to keep products flowing to our marketplace.” and Bill who said, “Shout out to all the workers in corrugated sheet and converting plants! #choosecorrugated.
On Facebook, we heard from Susan who said, “Amazing how people are discovering the things that are really vital during times like these. There are a lot of professions that had been marginalized for years and are now the heroes along with the medical providers. We all need to remember this after it is all over. Every job has value.”, from Carly Jo who said, “Thank you! We thanked the delivery people many times, but these manufacturers are making the boxes and products that continue to keep us safe.” and from many others across these platforms and Twitter who just said “Thank you!”
Now, we want to hear from you too. Is there someone you want to thank? A team member, a supervisor, a customer service representative, a truck driver, a supplier, or one of your customers? Is there someone who has stood out for their support, encouragement or thoughtfulness during this difficult time? Did they go the extra mile or did they make it easier for you to do your job?
FBA is working on a thank you project for the corrugated industry and wants to hear your story. Send us a quick sentence of thanks or a picture of you working through this pandemic. Show us how the corrugated industry keeps products moving, so we can share the industry’s story with the world. Send your submissions to csalaverria@fibrebox.org or me at rkenyon@fibrebox.org.
Thank you for all that you do.
Stay healthy and safe,
Rachel
