Fabulous Folding Cartons

Vision and Mission

To sustain Thoro's growth and to keep it moving forward, the company is always investing in the future, and a key part of that is the way the company's vision and mission are communicated to every employee. The bonus system—in which all employees share—is based on safety, customer satisfaction and profitability. "This leads to better teamwork and builds a strong sense that we are all here together and have a share in the company's success," says Steiner.

"Customer satisfaction is really important, and everyone understands this," she continues. "Having a good, safe work environment increases productivity because it means less re-work and greater efficiency, which drive customer satisfaction and profitability. This is emphasized in regular departmental meetings that cover operational issues."

Bi-monthly plant-wide meetings, during which the entire operation shuts down for an hour, further build the alliance. Shutting down ensures everyone can attend and hear about matters associated with company operations. To bring in additional knowledge, an outside speaker, such as someone from an insurance company, may speak about safe work practices.

A more whimsical aspect of life at Thoro is the Birthday Wheel. As employees approach their birthday, they can spin this "wheel of chance" to win a variety of prizes including gas cards, gift cards, or Lunch with Jan.

It turns out that having lunch with the boss is the employees' preference. One recent winner was a third-shift staffer, so "lunch" was at a local Denny's—at 1:30 a.m. Steiner says it was a wonderful chance to get a completely different look at her team, and was pleased to see how the commitment and enthusiasm she sees on the day shift is alive and well during the wee hours.

Globally Green

Thoro has a substantial sustainability initiative. Some of Thoro's cosmetics customers are especially supportive, notably those that do not test on animals. Steiner says her company acts as a resource to help customers learn about different materials and how they can achieve the look they are seeking for their folding cartons while being environmentally responsible. "Bottom line–it's the right thing to do," she affirms. "I have three grandkids and I want it to be a good world for them."

"We also tour a lot of students here, from different universities in Europe, Brazil, China, and Japan. They want to see what's happening with business in America. I tell them, 'You are the future leaders in your countries. California has strict air quality management requirements, with tough VOC limits on presses. And our systems are already proven. Take what we do here back with you! You can make a difference!' I hope some of them will."

With her son Macy handling operations, sales, and marketing, Steiner is able to step back a little and take a more global look at the company she has grown and grown up with. "I can see the world a bit differently," she says. "I can look at the best practices of other companies and see how they can be adapted to fit here at Thoro. There's always something new to learn and a better way to do things. And that keeps us moving forward." pP