What’s New- Independent Can Company- September 2014

What’s New- Independent Can Company- September 2014

Looking back at the last What’s New Article I did not realize that it had been a year since I wrote the last article. I apologize to everyone who reads this for the long delayed update. In this world of instant information we need to make routine updates.
The past 12 months have been extremely gratifying and challenging. The specialty can business has returned to levels not seen since 2006 and 2007. Independent Can Company (ICC) has worked hard to get ahead of the growth with some truly remarkable accomplishments and some true failures along the way.

What have we done to get ahead of the market growth.

First a commentary on “Manufacturing in America.”- Manufacturing is returning to the United States at a rapid pace and many are asking “why?” We all know or thought we knew that China was taking over all manufacturing because of America not being competitive globally. For those of us who are over 60 years old we thought that Japan was going to make everything when we were growing up. All low cost labor areas eventually develop into higher wage areas as workers learn the potential and value of their skills and abilities. China’s workers want the same benefits and material things that any developing or developed population wants. The labor wages, along with safety and environmental costs, are rising very rapidly in Asia making the goods produced there more expensive to export.
Another important factor is that China with the huge population they have and the wealth they are accumulating is becoming a consumer-driven economy. In the future China will consume more of the products being produced in country and less will be available for export.

America is becoming a nation where manufacturing can again drive economic success and a more economically advantaged middle class.
Our advantage is our creativity and technology and if we can marry this with enough skilled workers we can be a huge powerhouse and growth engine again in the global arena. Our challenge is retraining and developing a new generation that takes pride in making things
How does this tie back to Independent Can Company’s remarkable achievements and failures?
Remarkable achievements:

• Over the past 7 years we have invested between 20 and 30 million dollars on improved technology allowing for productivity improvements and flexibility in production.
• Since 2009 our annual growth has been comfortably into double digits.
• The new products we have added have been accepted remarkably well for a mature and no growth market.
• We have hired 80 plus individuals over the past 12 months (many of whom are engineers and middle managers) and opened a new manufacturing plant in Vandalia, Ohio.

Failures:

• People- We are having a very difficult time finding the depth of skills we need to fully benefit and operate the technology we have installed.
• The challenge we have, along with many of the other business owners I speak with, is having an employment population that sees a future career in manufacturing.
• As a manufacturer we need young people that want to be electricians, machinists, mechanics, line operators and middle managers that will cultivate the skills and abilities in manufacturing.

This year, 2014, has been a struggle. We have hired many people and are training them in the many disciplines mentioned above.

With that being said, we have not done a very good job of servicing our customers this year and we apologize to everyone. We have invested continuously in our people and we expect these investments will bear fruit in 2015. The manufacture of specialty tins requires not only skills in various disciplines but also intuition, creativity and experience that come only with time.

The greatest surprise this year has been the demand for flat sheet printing. Over the past 5 years we have doubled our capacity for printing and coating and this year we will again nearly double our capacity for printing. One line began producing printed sheets in June (2014) and a second line will come online in December (2014).



Our challenge today is to find and train skilled printing press operators, coater operators and shift managers who are able and willing to cultivate a culture of Safety, Quality, Respect for one another and Productivity.

As a company we will be working very hard to train the newest additions to the ICC family of employees and to develop processes that will train the can makers of the future.

The tin can is back and is in a significant growth mode again. No package has 100% recyclability, the advertising surface (permanent advertising), product protection and the integrity and perceived value that the tin can brings to market.

Independent Can Company IS Hiring!

Employment

Independent Can Company is always looking for motivated and qualified people who understand, accept and support our Company Values. Those values apply to co-workers and customers alike.

Company strongly believes, supports, hires and manages by our employee-developed Core Values. The values are: Fairness, Flexibility, being Market and Customer and Improvement Driven, Dedication, Responsible and consistent Teamwork.

Independent Can Company will always accept resumes from individuals with the following qualifications:

Can Line Machine Operator
Press Room Operator
Can Line Mechanics
Machinists
Tool and Die Makers


IMMEDIATE OPENINGS

For ALL positions:

Resumes without complete salary history will not be considered.
To avoid spam filters, position title must be in the subject line of email responses.
NO AGENCIES OR SEARCH FIRMS ACCEPTED.

Fax resume with complete salary history to: Human Resources Manager (410) 272-6494 OR, email hrdept@independentcan.com, (position title must be in subject line), OR Mail to P.O. Box 370, 1300 Brass Mill Road, Belcamp, MD 21017

Compensation package includes, vacation, paid holidays, medical/dental coverage, profit sharing and 401k options. To be successful in this position the candidate must understand, accept and be committed to our employee-developed Company Values. These values are Fairness, Flexibility, being Customer, Market, and Improvement Driven, Dedicated, Responsible and consistent Teamwork.

Equal Opportunity Employer - M/F/D/V - Drug-Free and Smoke-Free Workplace


INDUSTRIAL ELECTRICIAN
(Master electrician with Control Panel and PLC Experience)


Independent Can Company, a global manufacturing, family-owned company with annual sales of 60 million dollars, is seeking an experienced Industrial Electrician to join our maintenance team. The successful candidate needs to have hands-on industrial background in the manufacturing field. This person will be responsible for performing all required electrical repairs, maintenance, and new equipment installations. The incumbent will design electrical systems and draw ladder diagrams and schematics. He/she will also be responsible for researching and recommending improvements and upgrades in all electrical systems throughout the plant. Additionally, the successful candidate must keep up-to-date on electrical codes and be available for emergency call-ins after hours as needed. Proficiency in basic computer skills including Excel and Word, experience using the Internet, and the ability to learn company-specific software are required.

We offer excellent benefits including profit sharing, 11 paid holidays, two weeks vacation, 401(k) option and medical, dental and life insurance.

To be successful in this position the candidate must understand, accept and be committed to our employee-developed Company Values of being Fair, Flexible, Market, Customer & Improvement Driven, Dedicated, Responsible and be dedicated to Teamwork.
Email response must include "Industrial Electrician" in the subject line.



INSIDE SALES/MARKETING
(4 yr degree preferred)

Independent Can Company, a global manufacturing, family-owned company with annual sales of 60 million dollars, is seeking an experienced Inside Sales/Marketing person to join our Sales Team. The successful candidate needs to have sales, customer support and service experience, with media design experience (Adobe graphic design, photo-editing or layout software) a plus. Experience with media communications and/or advertising also a plus.

This person will be responsible for inside sales/account management as well as the development of new customers and new product sales in the United States and Canada while assisting with the Company’s marketing efforts. He/she will also be responsible for backing up outside sales people as needed with data entry, samples, and other office functions as well as working with the Marketing Specialist.

The skills and experience necessary for success in this position are creativity; experience with sales and customer service; marketing the ability to communicate effectively in writing, on the phone and in person; and the ability to set goals; sales acumen and a good mathematics skill level. The selected individual must have excellent communication and people skills and the adaptability to fit into a manufacturing/ distribution environment.

Proficiency with the Microsoft office suite (Excel, Word), experience using the Internet, and the ability to learn company-specific software is required. Being bi-lingual in Spanish or Chinese would be beneficial but is not required.

Email response must include "Inside Sales/Marketing" in the subject line.



LITHOGRAPHY PRODUCTION SCHEDULER

(Bachelor's Degree and Experience Required)

Independent Can Company, a global manufacturing family-owned company located in Harford County, MD is seeking a Production Scheduler to join our Lithography Department.

The successful candidate will report to the Director of Technical Operations and coordinate the production operations of that department. Duties include the balancing of customer, sales and can plant needs and scheduling production in the most efficient, cost-effective process considering set-up, run time and labor costs. This is an exempt position with purchasing responsibilities. The position requires an individual who must be able to interface in a professional manner with office staff, customers, and vendors. Knowledge and proven use of a computer system for spreadsheets and database management system as well as related software is a must. Finally, he/she must be a team player who has strong communication and organizational skills while understanding the importance of details and accuracy. Independent Can Company’s Core Values are the foundation for successful performance in this position – Fair; Flexible; Market, Customer & Improvement Driven; Dedicated; Responsible and be dedicated to Teamwork.




PRINTING PRESSMAN
(Large Format)

The successful candidate must be experienced in operating 36” and 45” presses. Experience with console-controlled Planeta or Rapida presses would be helpful. He/she will be responsible for preparation, set-up, running and routine maintenance for 4- and 6-color lines. This is a five-to six-day-a-week job; overtime is a condition of employment and paid after 8 hours. Applicant must have excellent problem-solving skills. Responsibilities include absolute assurance of quality standards in strict and complete compliance with customers’ needs while mentoring and training the personnel assigned to the team.



COATER OPERATOR -- LITHOGRAPHY

Wagner Spot Coater (Experience Required)

The Lithography Division of Independent Can Company, a metal decorator located in Belcamp, (Harford County) Maryland, is seeking an experienced Coater Operator. The successful candidate will be responsible for set up and operation of the Wagner Spot Coater. The Operator is responsible for the application of coatings and varnishes to metal sheets that are cured through an LTG oven. In addition, the Operator will be responsible for monitoring of the coater film weights and registration of various coatings. This is an hourly non-exempt position subject to overtime and reports to the Lithography Supervisor. This person should have good mechanical and problem-solving skills.

Email responses must include Coater Operator in the subject line.



MACHINE OPERATORS

(All Shifts)

Independent Can Company, a manufacturer of metal packaging products in Belcamp, Maryland, (Harford County) is in search of Machine Operators for first and second shifts. Specific can manufacturing experience is not required; however, experience with the operation of manufacturing equipment is necessary. Excellent attendance and ability to work overtime are conditions of employment. As a full-time employee, you will receive overtime pay after eight hours a day with a three-level pay structure.

Email response subject line must include Machine Operator.

For ALL positions:

Resumes without complete salary history will not be considered.
To avoid spam filters, position title must be in the subject line of email responses.
NO AGENCIES OR SEARCH FIRMS ACCEPTED.

Fax resume with complete salary history to: Human Resources Manager (410) 272-6494 OR, email hrdept@independentcan.com, (position title must be in subject line), OR Mail to P.O. Box 370, 1300 Brass Mill Road, Belcamp, MD 21017

Compensation package includes, vacation, paid holidays, medical/dental coverage, profit sharing and 401k options. To be successful in this position the candidate must understand, accept and be committed to our employee-developed Company Values. These values are Fairness, Flexibility, being Customer, Market, and Improvement Driven, Dedicated, Responsible and consistent Teamwork.
Equal Opportunity Employer - M/F/D/V - Drug-Free and Smoke-Free Workplace

http://westernspecialty.com/employment/