By Chloe Anderson, Human Resources Advisor at Kruger Packaging Elizabethtown
The following op-ed was written by Chloe Anderson, Human Resources Advisor at Kruger Packaging Elizabethtown.
There comes a time in early April when Kentucky signals winter is over. The sun shines brighter, the wind feels warmer and around us the colors are vibrant. Shades of pink and white bloom on the cherry blossom trees and seemingly overnight patches of Easter lilies speckle our green yards with hints of yellow, red and orange. Spring has sprung.
Much like nature in Kentucky, Kruger Packaging E’town is blooming. For anyone who has not driven down North Black Branch Road, in the T.J. Patterson Industrial Park, the view looks different. Standing tall with our roots firm in the ground, Kruger Packaging E’town has taken its 475,000 square foot shape.
Outside, crews recently added their finishing touches by installing air units – via helicopter no less – on the plant’s roof. Inside, the foundations for the corrugator and converting equipment are near completion, the steel structure of the offices is complete, including the men’s locker room/tornado shelter and sever room and soon crews will finish the installation of the Vertical WIP, our cutting-edge automated cardboard storage system that handles internal movement and management of the product throughout the plant.
As we spring into action to open our new Kentucky home, I am reminded every day of the embrace of this community. We are very excited to have our first cohort of employees begin their training this month at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College. For the first 90 days of their employment, Kruger Packaging team members will get customized training – made possible through the state-backed KCTCS TRAINS program – to prepare them for production beginning this summer.
Onboarding for our maintenance team is underway and our corrugator crew will begin onboarding soon, too!
However, our team is not complete, and we are actively hiring to fill multiple open positions. We’re committed to offering an hourly rate starting at $18- $32 depending on experience and position, as well as a variety of benefits that are available to some employees beginning day one.
Spring is certainly in the air, but even more excitement is on the horizon. So, as spring turns to summer, and production begins at Kruger Packaging E’town, be on the lookout for an invite to our official ribbon cutting ceremony.
Until then, learn more about us at www.kruger.elizabethtown.com.
