PFFC - April 2008 - (Page 64)

EXPERIENCE SPEAKS uWhat is the biggest threat to the converting industry right now? Overcapacity is driving companies to make poor decisions on pricing, taking on business that is not profitable but fills their asset base with work. This is leading to degradation in profit margins. uDo you have a personal motto or mantra? I have two little girls I read to every night. I recently came across this quote that I took the time to reflect on and write down: “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”—Dr. Seuss Solve the challenge of your own limitations by surrounding yourself with the most intelligent people you can find…and listen to them. uHow do you handle a difficult customer? We work very hard at taking away whatever objections they are having and leaving them only with satisfaction. uAre there specific uWhat keeps you up at night with regard to your business? I sleep great! uWhat do you know uRyan Madigan uChief Operating Officer of Master Packaging uManagement style | Flexible uHobbies | An active lifestyle—running, exercise, weights, golf, etc. uHow did you get into the converting business? I joined the family business. My father is my mentor, business partner, and best friend. uWhat are you most proud of in your business? We managed the transition from a small business to a large business without any negative effect on our personal relationships with each other or our families. uWhat is the key to uWhat is the key to retaining good employees? Hire the right people to start with. Put employees first; customers will reap the benefits in the end. Encourage leadership and creativity. Retain an open line of communcation. Put forth obtainable, reward-based objectives. Remove any bad apples. challenges in your region to finding good employees? The cost of living in Tampa is higher than other areas of the country. We often lose prospective candidates once they realize how expensive it is to live here. uWhat advice would you give someone starting out in this business? From Day One, dress, act, and perform to the level you want to be rather than the level you are at. now that you wish you had known when you started out? As we have grown, we better understand how much working capital and equipment reinvestment is required to grow a business of our size in today’s environment. Looking back, we would have raised more money and done it far sooner. uWhat is the best advice you ever got? Regarding marriage, it’s better to be happy than right. About Master Packaging u6932 S. Manhattan Ave.,Tampa, FL 33616; 813-837-1575 uwww.masterpackaging.com uFounded 1960 u1 plant, 150 employees uSpecialty | Flexible packaging growing a business in a bad economy? Hit singles and swing at the pitches that you can hit. How did you get into the converting business? Share your perspective. Write to yolanda.simonsis@penton.com. 64 | APRIL 2008 WWW.PFFC-ONLINE.COM http://www.masterpackaging.com http://WWW.PFFC-ONLINE.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of PFFC - April 2008

PFFC - April 2008 Table of Contents First Glance Calendar of Events From the Editor Web Lines Process Management News Clips Narrow Web & Label Reporter Narrow Web & Label What’s New Products Carton & Box Reporter Carton & Box What’s New Products Green Converting Pouchmaking Show Preview Flexible Packaging Gravure Printing What's New Products Services Directory Classifieds Marketplace Equipment Buyers & Sellers Advertisers Index Experience Speaks

PFFC - April 2008

For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.