In 10 years, Simpsonville-based sunglass company Shady Rays has grown from two brothers filling orders in their parents’ living room to days when their company fills 10,000 online orders per shift. Premier has played a key role in that dramatic growth, from working with Shady Rays to design its distinctive box to helping automate the company’s fulfillment with a box erector. Chief Operating Officer Dan Ratterman sees Premier as a continuing partner in Shady Rays success: “You all are coming along for the ride.”

Premier’s first-ever Sustainability Report details where we are environmentally and our efforts to become more sustainable, such as targeting zero waste in our manufacturing plants by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. Sustainability Manager Mackenzie Crigger joins host Billy Watkins to discuss how we’re gathering sustainability data, what we’re doing well, and what we’re working to improve.

Packaging’s everywhere in our society—so much so that most of us don’t notice it. But Tom Mason does. The Packaging Design Manager-East Coast for Premier talks about the “plethora of solutions” we offer in packaging design, graphics, and testing for our customers. Tom discusses the special equipment in our Louisville Design Lab, trends in packaging, and how today’s packages are designed to protect and promote the products inside with the minimum material needed.

Premier Packaging has played an important role in the explosive growth of Dan-O’s Seasoning through online sales of its low-sodium, all-natural seasoning. Tyler Watson and Jon Hayes of Dan-O’s talk about the company’s growth, what’s next, and why they like working with Premier: “You’re curious about your customers, and we think that’s so important because we are too … I really like your mantra about finding the why in a relationship.”

Premier’s Purchasing Manager Paul Lococo juggles such challenges as inventory space, inflation, and supply chain issues while trying to anticipate demand for the thousands of items we sell to our customers. Paul talks about the impact of the pandemic and the Dallas freeze of 2021 on his job, as well as lessons learned from 27 years in the meat business. At Premier 17 years, he doesn’t anticipating retiring: “I might cut my hours back to 40,” he jokes.

Automation Specialist Shawn Edwards discusses the importance of automation in addressing labor issues, efficiency, and safety. Depending on the situation, automating can be as simple as switching from a hand tape gun to a case sealer, so it’s important our sales representatives know their customers’ needs and pain points. Shawn is also “wowed” by new developments in automation.

Louisville nonprofit Love the Hungry has a mission of providing nutrient-rich meals to young children suffering from malnutrition in 30 countries globally. Cofounder Dale Oelker discusses the organization’s work, its science-based meals, and Premier’s involvement. We designed and make the sturdy, colorful box that safely transports the meals in areas plagued by war and natural disasters, and our volunteers recently packaged the 8 millionth Love the Hungry meal.

Premier is in the forefront of packaging companies using tech tools like Sales Force to make our customer relationships more efficient and rewarding for both parties, according to Randi Yancey, Manager of Sales Technology. Randi also discusses her own career path and how Premier’s inclusive hiring and promoting practices have resulted in us having a higher percentage of women in IT than many companies.

In Jessica Lincoln’s 12 years with Premier, the company has grown from one manufacturing plant with 200 employees to six plants with 1200 employees. Jessica, Manager, HR – Operations, discusses how we remain competitive in attracting new workers, from our sense of community to our benefits and possibilities for advancement. We also learn about host Billy Watkins’ unusual fashion choice during his own interview.

Host Billy Watkins interviews Sustainability Manager Mackenzie Crigger, who will fill in from time to time as guest host of The Whole Package. Mackenzie talks about how living in Japan inspired her to shift her career focus to sustainability. In the same way, she talks about Premier’s changes to make our products and our operations more sustainable.