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Category Archive: Company Updates

Saint Francisville Mill Expansion in Louisiana

Jul, 2020

H1 Press Machinehttps://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/newsroom/detail/2589

Gov. Edwards, Hood Container Announce $50 Million Mill Expansion

Company to expand paper capacity, retain 306 jobs at West Feliciana Parish mill

Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards and Senior Vice President Wayne Morgan of Hood Container of Louisiana LLC announced the company’s paper mill in West Feliciana Parish will complete a $50 million efficiency upgrade and capacity expansion. With the project, Hood Container will retain 306 existing employees and a $23 million annual payroll at the mill on the Mississippi River, near St. Francisville, Louisiana. The expansion also is expected to support 75 construction jobs.

“Since acquiring this legacy paper mill in West Feliciana Parish, Hood Container has consistently upgraded the quality of its equipment and the efficiency of its manufacturing process,” Gov. Edwards said. “Those investments are also an important investment in people, with Hood Container now reaching the highest employment at the plant since it was closed by an international company more than a decade ago. This represents another important win for our economy in rural Louisiana.”

Hood Container acquired the 61-year-old former Crown Zellerbach and Tembec mill in 2015, after it emerged from federal bankruptcy protection filed by an interim owner. Since the acquisition, Hood has committed more than $100 million in capital investments to upgrade the facilities.

“I am pleased to announce the next step in the re-purposing of the St. Francisville Mill,” said Senior Vice President Wayne Morgan of Hood Container’s Mill Division. “Hood Container thanks the good people of West Feliciana Parish and the State of Louisiana for continuing to support our business and employees during this period of growth in our company.”

The project will increase the efficiency of Hood Container’s pulp-refining operation through the installation of two digester blow-line refiners. The expansion also will include installation of a secondary headbox and additional dryer cans, which will allow increased paper production with better paper quality.

“We welcome Hood Container’s commitment to modernize the St. Francisville paper mill,” said West Feliciana Parish President Kenny Havard. “Manufacturing is important to our economy. Hood Container’s operations stimulate local spending and provide good jobs for West Feliciana families. Through an investment in state-of-the-art technology, this project secures the future of the mill for our area.”

Louisiana Economic Development began discussions about the potential expansion with Hood Container of Louisiana in May 2019. To secure the project, the State of Louisiana offered the company a competitive incentive package that includes a $200,000 Modernization Tax Credit, which will be allocated in equal amounts over a five-year period. Hood Container also is expected to utilize the state’s Industrial Tax Exemption Program.

In addition to linerboard for box packaging, Hood Container’s St. Francisville mill also produces kraft paper. LED estimates the mill’s economic activity yields 479 indirect jobs, for a total of 785 jobs that make Hood Container one of the Capital Region’s most significant economic driver companies.

“Hood Container’s continued investment in its operations is welcome news both for the Capital Region and the wood products sector, a core industry for the region and the state,” said President and CEO Adam Knapp of the Baton Rouge Area Chamber. “Rural businesses like Hood are important drivers in their local economies, and we thank our partners at LED and in West Feliciana for supporting this expansion.

About Hood Container of Louisiana
Hood Container of Louisiana LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hood Companies Inc. Hood Companies is a privately owned, closely held holding company and is the parent to operating subsidiaries involved in the manufacture and distribution of forest and wood products, building and construction materials, and flexible and corrugated packaging products throughout North America. For more information, visit HoodContainerOfLouisiana.com.

HCC proud to partner with ICPF in our new student internship program! 

Jul, 2020

Kelsea PotthastHood Container Corporation welcomes Kelsea Potthast as our newest student sales intern this summer.

Kelsea Potthast, University of Florida (business administration/ marketing major and packaging science minor, May ’21) has acquired a student sales internship this summer at Hood Container Corp. “I am passionate about developing synergy between the engineering principles of corrugated packaging and the innovative marketing strategies of business. The ICPF Student/Executive Dialogue Dinner and ICPF’s Teleconference on the Business of Corrugated Packaging & Displays allowed me to surround myself with students and executives who pursue creative thinking and diverse perspectives. Not only did this ICPF experience introduce me to internship opportunities within the corrugated industry, but it is the first time my interest in combining marketing with packaging science has been encouraged. While many career fairs and networking events try to fit students into a keyhole position, ICPF has given me the professional support and personal confidence to achieve my own goals. Since working with ICPF, I have been elected president of the UF Packaging Club, become the official ICPF student representative at UF, secured a corrugated packaging sales internship through ICPF, and am looking forward to returning to Michigan next year to moderate ICPF’s 2021 Teleconference.” – BOXSCORE July/ August 2020

HCC Burbank: Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Pallet Display takes home 2020 SHOP! Bronze OMA Award

Jun, 2020

HCC Burbank took home another award for their Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 Pallet Display. It was an OMA Award Bronze Winner at the 2020 SHOP! Awards. This display was entered in the Club Store category and was designed for Microsoft. They developed a pallet solution that not only improved the Costco Member Warehouse experience but also dramatically reducing the freight costs for the Surface pallet program.

costco display microsoft surface laptop

2020 SHOP! Award OMA Silver Winner: Funko Wetmore Forest Half Pallet Display

Jun, 2020

Award winners HCC Burbank gained an additional Silver OMA Award at the 2020 SHOP! Awards with this Funko Wetmore Forest Half Pallet display. It was entered in the category of Entertainment, Games and Toys and created for Funko.  The team wanted to bring the Wetmore Forest title to life.  Wetmore Forest was created to depict an enchanting forest and encourage exploration and discovery among children, so it was important that the display give a peek into this enchanting world.

 

Game of Thrones The Final Season Walmart WOW display takes home 2020 SHOP! Gold OMA Award

Jun, 2020

This Game of Thrones The Final Season Walmart WOW display was created by our Burbank team and earned them a 2020 SHOP! Gold OMA Award! Designed for HBO Home Entertainment and entered in the Mass Merchandise category, this display was designed to be impactful at retail while immediately conveying it as a recognizable and pop-culture iconic piece familiar to fans of the show. The retail-specific yet theatrical type display was used as a beacon to communicate the home video release as well as an offer and immersive Instore Retail Experience. The experience the display conveyed was very successful and was echoed through numerous social media posts of consumers engaging with the display at retail. Due to fan and consumer demand, Walmart also auctioned off several of the displays with proceeds donated to a charity.  This display was shipped on a single custom full pallet of 54” W x 48” D x 85” T, yet when assembled, grew to 96” W x 48” D x 85” T.

GOT HBO Display in walmart

Hood Container Celebrates Safety

Jun, 2020

Hood Container Celebrates SafetyCelebrating safety at Hood Container! Three of our facilities (Chicago, Asheville, and Greensboro) were awarded the “Safety Excellence Award” from The Corrugated Container Industry. Our Lincolnton facility was also awarded the Hood Companies, Inc. 2019 Safety Award. Congratulations to all these facilities for their efforts in keeping our employees safe!

Welcome Back to Work

Jun, 2020

Hood Container created a “Welcome Back to Work” kit for our clients and prospects. This kit contains ESSENTIAL items for working safely during these unprecedented times. The kit was structurally designed in our Cincinnati office, digitally printed in Nashville, die cut in our Chicago converting facility, and assembled in our Chicago contract packaging facility. The entire project took less than 4 weeks to complete, including sourcing the branded product. If we can show this level of speed to market on this project, imagine what we can do for yours. Call us today!

COVID Panels, Hood Container Solutions

May, 2020

These well designed COVID panels can help with social distancing requirements at your place of business. Artwork will include customer name and logo if provided. These COVID panels are 74” tall and fit to multiple table heights and can easily be placed around open spaces to aid in social distancing. These panels are sustainable, made from recycled materials, and easily disposable.

 

We Are Essential

Mar, 2020

As we continue to make our way through these unknown times we want everyone to know that we are in this together and we are thankful to everyone for all their hard work.

Please watch the video below.

 

Senior Leadership Changes

Jan, 2020

Senior Vice PresidentHood Container Corporation announces that Greg Hall will become the President and Chief Operating Officer for the company, effective January 1st, 2020. Greg replaces Charlie Hodges who is retiring after leading Hood Container since its startup in July 2012.

Hall joined Hood Container in 2019 as Senior Vice President- Converting Division. Prior to joining the company, Greg held key leadership positions with Orange County Container Group and most recently was CEO North America Smurfit Kappa.

“Hodges has been an integral part of Hood Container’s success. His leadership and knowledge of the industry have laid a great foundation for the future of the company. We look forward to having Greg Hall continue to grow and lead Hood Container in the future,” commented Wren Hood, CEO Hood Container.

Hodges retires after nearly 45 years in the Pulp and Paper Industry having worked for Union Camp Corporation, Georgia Pacific Corporation, Port Townsend Paper Company, and most recently Hood Container where he was involved in growing the company from its startup in 2012 to its position today. He will remain with the company in a consulting role to provide for a smooth transition.

Hood Container Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hood Companies, Inc. Hood Companies is a privately owned, closely-held holding company and is the parent to operating subsidiaries involved in the manufacture and distribution of wood products, building and construction materials, and flexible and corrugated packaging products throughout North America.