Packaging Unlimited Named Industry of the Year

CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY

Packaging Unlimited is located at 261 Broadway Ave.

County Judge ExecutiveJim Henderson presents General Manager

Jeff Holman with Industry of the Year Award.

Packaging Unlimited Employees have established a long list of sales and operational records within the plant. The people are the business

for Packaging Unlimited.

Packaging Unlimited produces packaging that protects shipments from every industry. Things from

automotive components, moon pies and pool tables are all covered with

corrugated packaging.

Packaging Unlimited was named Industry of the Year by the Franklin-Simpson Industrial

Authority Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at the organization’s annual awards luncheon held at Kentucky Downs. Packaging Unlimited manufactures a wide range of industrial packaging, including standard brown corrugated boxes, boxes that are lined with partitions, foam or wood and high-end display packaging.

Packaging Unlimited started out in 1975 with 20,000 square feet of rented space and two paying customers. They have now grown to over 1.7 million square feet of offi ce, manufacturing, contract packaging and warehouse space in fi ve cities in Kentucky and North Carolina.

Packaging Unlimited began operating in 1997. Two years later, Simpson County Judge Executive Jim Henderson was elected into offi ce. Henderson has watched the business grow over the past two decades. “It’s been a pleasure to watch the business development of Packaging Unlimited over these past 18 years. They’ve demonstrated what it takes to be successful in the very competitive packaging market. I’m proud of Jeff’s commitment to this venture in our community. He & Packaging Unlimited have created economic opportunity for our citizens and region, while being innovative in fi nding new and effi cient ways to grow their business. They are a true example of the best of the American free enterprise system and I’m glad to have them as a part of the Simpson County community,” Henderson said.

Franklin houses 173,000 sq. ft. at their location on Broadway Ave. The Franklin location opened their doors in 1997. Recent capital improvements at the Franklin plant include four new machine centers at a cost of well over two million dollars. It now employs over 50 employees, including four full-time route dedicated employees that work for it’s own fl eet line. Owning their own fl eet line is one of the many things that separates them from the competition. Other companies sub-contract their transportation needs, whereas Packaging Unlimited operates its own McClosky Trucking Organization. The Franklin team just added their fourth full-time driver to their Franklin fl eet line. This allows for one-on-one personal contact with clients that would not otherwise be possible. It also allows for turn-on-a-dime fl exibility with routes to allow individualized service. The packaging industry was hit hard by the recession, and nationally performance was negatively affected in 2009. Industry wide, growth has remained fl at due to threats from off shore manufacturing and competition from plastic and other packaging materials. Packaging Unlimited, however, has experienced exponential growth.

They have doubled their sales in the last fi ve years, and attribute part of that growth to the very city that houses them. A list of some of their best clients is evidence of that. Packaging Unlimited remains very grateful to its customers most of whom are in the surrounding areas.

The growth of Packaging Unlimited has also been accomplished with support of many local vendors. Franklin Water Department, W.R.E.C.C., Arney Industrial Services, Bluegrass Tire & Truck Repair, Franklin Pallet, Goodrum Pallet. Guaranteed Sealing and Striping and Yokeley Machine Company are just a few local vendors whom have been instrumental partners in the success of the business. Employees at Packaging Unlimited are also valued as one of the integral keys to success. Being responsive to customer needs can be very challenging yet the employees at Packaging Unlimited always rise to the challenge.

Dennis Griffi n, Executive Director of Industrial Authority of Franklin-Simpson said, “Packaging Unlimited has been successful in business because they run their fi ve different facilities as if everyone employed were family. That begins at the corporate level beginning with the owner and founder Bob Hanekamp. The Franklin plant General Manager, Jeff Holman, is an excellent representative for the local facility. He along with Plant Manager, Jeff Shrull, have a close working relationship with their employees. The productivity in Franklin from the fi fty employed in the manufacturing part of the business is some of the best in the industry. It is that personal touch that has made Packaging Unlimited so successful in Franklin.”

Packaging Unlimited owns its own fl eet line. Dedicated delivery drivers are instrumental in maintaining client-focused service.