Richest Man at Ankerpak
This post was written by John Anker, the president of Ankerpak.
This labor day I want to look at the life of one of the special individuals at Ankerpak. His name is Wayne Bloodsworth, or as I have often called him – The Richest Man at Ankerpak. This description of Wayne is known by most people that work at Ankerpak because they have heard me reference Wayne and his admirable qualities. One day as I was walking through the employee parking lot with an out-of-town guest I approached Wayne as he was leaning over the bed of his pick-up truck. My guest and I stopped to speak to Wayne, and I introduced him to my guest as The Richest Man at Ankerpak. Normally Wayne is a man of few words and smiles warmly and returns a greeting with a warm ‘nice to meet you.’ This time however he responded in deep thought….”you know John, I have been thinking about this, and you are right. I am a very rich man.”
Wayne came to work at Ankerpak from a grill manufacturing company that was closing down manufacturing and moving business off-shore. His old boss had recently come to visit me at my office and told me that he had a great individual that could add value to my team and he wanted to send him over to meet me. We hired Wayne and began utilizing him in general maintenance and projects. I noticed that Wayne didn’t talk much and kept his mind on the job and task at hand. He wasn’t the fastest moving guy on the job, but at the end of the day his work was completed and his improvements on Ankerpak were noticeable. It was easy to see that one of Wayne’s admirable qualities was consistency and dependability. Over the years of manual labor in cotton mills and other manufacturing companies Wayne had learned the pride and value of a good day’s work.
Along Ankerpak’s journey as a manufacturing company we hit a bumpy road and had a few tough choices to make in order to get over this tight spot. None of my managers wanted to let Wayne go, but he was not in a direct labor position and we did not have a job for him at Ankerpak anymore. I lined up the 7 people that I was going to lay off and began one by one explaining to them what was happening. When I got to #7, Wayne, I was very upset and could barely talk in order to clarify to him that he was one of the people we were going to lay off. To my surprise he leaned across to me and told me that it was alright. Wayne told me not to worry about him. He said that he had been through this before and that he was going to be OK. Furthermore, he had been waiting for me to call him into the office because he knew that things were going to have to change. His calm demeanor and practicality took me by surprise. All of the sudden I was enjoying being counseled by a wise man who had life experiences beyond my years and he was sincere in his concern for me and genuine hope that Ankerpak would get through this situation.
Nearly one year later Wayne accepted a new position at Ankerpak and left the ranks of the un-employed. He travelled to Tennessee for months and lived with me and other employees in a small town hotel learning to operate an extrusion machine and other equipment that we were going to move into our Columbus, Georgia plant.
Wayne is a great American. This picture of Wayne captures this rich man. I love the man that he is. He has exemplified steadfast character in every aspect of his life. He is a devoted husband and father. He has steadily paid for his home and lived there for over 35 years as a great citizen of Columbus. As I drive down his busy street and see his back yard with the 10 foot tall wood fence that he built on his last vacation I am proud to have been affected by him. He has had a positive influence on me. My kids and my wife often hear me speak of Wayne’s steadiness. Only one time (that I know of) have I ever made Wayne really mad at me……at this moment he sternly told me that if I didn’t make it right then he was leaving. It was a simple misunderstanding, but in principle he was right. Only a rich man would have the courage to stand for what he believes.
In America we should all be mindful of the principles that our country was founded. Self-responsibility, pursuit of happiness, steadfast truths, and many more. Riches should not be measured in material possessions or power. Wayne has re-enforced to me the value of community, family, and steadfast hard work. He has helped make Columbus a better city. He is the backbone of a strong America. He is a rich man! My life is made rich due to his positive influences.
Globalization and Manufacturing
This post was written by John Anker, the president and founder of Ankerpak.
Let’s hit the reset button on manufacturing.
I recently enjoyed a great conversation with three great minded men over lunch, where we shared stories and perspectives relating to globalization and manufacturing. Bill Fischer, Professor of Innovation Management at IMD in Switzerland, was my special international guest for the day at Ankerpak. Bill Fischer’s experiences have led him around the world to write books such as Reinventing Giants: How Chinese Global Competitor Haier Has Changed the Way Big Companies Transform, a case study on the manufacturing company Haier and their CEO who led the Chinese company’s turnaround.
I invited two of my favorite leaders in my community, who also have extensive experiences with manufacturing and globalization, to share lunch with me and Bill Fischer. I was honored to sit at the table with such profound fellow businessmen. I anticipated not only enjoying each other’s company, but also engaging in a healthy dialogue about business.
As lunch continued over the next two hours, the dialogue was indeed wonderful. We were all sure that we were in good company and could share our experiences honestly and openly. After all, these experiences were our reality, and nothing could change them. At one point, I was considered that there was an attack going on against my guest Bill Fischer due to his views on globalization and its effect on American manufacturing. After listening intently to the conversation of these wise men, I felt it may be my time to interject a comment based on my experience: so I did. I stated my belief that Bill Simon of Wal-Mart exuded great leadership by standing up and vocally announcing some new initiatives to hire war veterans and to buy more USA manufactured products. That certainly got the lunch party started! My good friend, who owns a foundry, turned to me with a smile to call B.S. on me. I guess I could now take credit for saving my international guest from the attack! In reality, the fun was just getting started.
All macro conversations about global supply chain, manufacturing, and government in America will most certainly involve China and Wal-Mart. The conversation was exhilarating, since my two local lunch guests included large manufacturing company owners who have been in business for over 130 years and are now in their 5th generation.
The following morning, I had an epiphany about my ten-year-old manufacturing company, Ankerpak. Maybe Ankerpak is helping America hit the reset button. Is it time for a younger generation of manufacturers to come into the fold? Before you rush in and say, “Yes,” let me try to talk you out of it. You won’t make much profit. You will breathe work. You will worry about the next law suit or regulation that you didn’t see coming. No traditional loans. Rising inflation. Soaring energy cost. Higher interest rates. Faster demands. More government uncertainty. There is one constant: All the rules keep changing.
So why do we do it at Ankerpak? Because we can. Ankerpak is building a culture of doers and makers again, along with my friends of the 130 year old businesses. We are accomplishing this feat with people who have a lot of heart. Our people have experienced many changes over the last 30 years, and they too are scarred from watching the outflow of jobs. They have not given up or given in. They have come to Ankerpak to make a difference and to fight for our jobs. They are working harder and probably taking monetary sacrifices to make the difference. I would say that Ankerpak takes sacrifices as well to be in this segment.
Sometimes, when things get tough, I have to remind myself: This is the job that I chose! Sometimes, I have to share and emphasize the reality with my employees that this is the way it is right now. Over the years, I watched large local manufacturing companies go through difficult changes. Their leaders were forced to make tough decisions for the better of the company. After all, how can you pay a guy $30/hour after 20 years of service in the same building only then ask him next week to work two times harder for only $15/hour? My realization is that the globalization pendulum swung way too fast and will take many years to level out or at least be a little more balanced.
Whether you are in business for 130 years or for 10 years, we all have tremendous challenges keeping manufacturing in America. It is not a level playing field, but my dad always said, “Son, life is not fair.”
I am very thankful that Bill Fischer visited our community and shared his global perspective.
Photo credit: John Pyle
A Young Mans Vision
This post was written by Kenny Harris, the plant manager at Ankerpak.
Ankerpak began with nothing more than ambition and a young man’s vision. I met John Anker many years ago when he was selling boxes, and I was working with a small company running orange juice and spring water. John asked me then if I would work with him if he ever started his own company. My answer: “Yes, just let me know when you are ready.” The company I was with at the time was not successful and eventually had to close its doors. I then got a job at a plant where I ran a bottling line. John and I both had 1-2 hour long commutes to work, and we would wave to each other in passing. As the next few years passed, I ran into John at trade shows and each time he asked the same question, “If I start my own company, are you still interested in working with me?” My answer was always yes.
John called me one day and asked if I would like to grab lunch. There at the table, he asked about his future company and this time he was not speaking figuratively. He asked “, When I start my company, will you work with me?” He explained that his company was coming and he was ready to assemble his team. We agreed to some terms, and I firmly decided that I would work with him. That is a lunch I will never forget. From there we made weekend trips to inspect equipment. At an equipment auction held in the Litho-Krome building, John dragged me upstairs to a small flat room. He believed it was the perfect place to start his company. Unfortunately, the building was for sale. Eager, ambitious John sought to lease the building, which I thought was a hopeless cause. He made it happen and we had a room to start his company.
As time raced by, we quickly outgrew our little section of the Litho-Krome building. We began to lease more and more of the massive warehouse. We packed it full of product and machines. We hired a truck driver and bought a truck. We acquired a corrugation machine and began making shippers for anyone. Then a wax coating machine found its way to our door and an automated shrink wrap machine where we wrapped anything from dog bones to sheets to peanut butter. The growing pains were both good and bad.
A dream in a young man’s head, a conveyor setup, and an 18 line operation has all boiled down to an incredibly fun and educational journey.
Ten years and still growing.
Photo credit: John Pyle
Columbus Recognized as a Best City for Global Trade
Press release from issuing company.
The City of Columbus, Georgia was recognized today as a 2014 Best City for Global Trade by Global Trade Magazine, under the category of Best Site Selection Assistance.
The Top Cities will be named in the November/December issue of Global Trade. It is part of the magazine’s 3rd Annual “America’s Best Cities for Global Trade” report. The report will highlight top 10 American cities in each of the following 10 categories:
BEST TRADE MISSIONS & EXPORT ASSISTANCE
MOST INNOVATIVE BEST SITE SELECTION ASSISTANCE BEST SKILLED WORKFORCE FOR MANUFACTURERS BEST EMERGING CITIES BEST BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT & INCENTIVES BEST GLOBAL VIBE MOST EMPLOYEE-FRIENDLY BEST PROXIMITY TO UNIVERSITIES BEST LOGISTICS GATEWAYS
“We are thrilled to receive this recognition,” stated Bill Murphy, Executive Vice President of Economic Development for the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce. “This particular recognition speaks to the professional and thorough work our team does specifically as it related to working with companies who are looking at making investments in our region.”
Mayor Teresa Tomlinson, Mayor for the Columbus Consolidated Government added, “Our community has a history of working collaboratively on community and economic development priorities. It is good to see that Columbus, Georgia is viewed as favorably around the world as it is at home.”
In 2011, the Valley Partnership was recognized by the Southern Economic Development Council as one of the top agencies in the nation for completing and submitting Request for Proposals (RFPs).
Columbus, Georgia
Population: 189,885
Unemployment: 9.10%
Recent development: Pratt & Whitney opened 100,000 square foot engine overhaul plant.
The Valley Partnership is the Columbus-area organization that does more than help companies relocate to the region: It actively recruits them. As of June 2014, the partnership was pursuing 37 deals worth more than $200 million in investments. Columbus benefits from Georgia’s free-of-charge, customized workforce training program. The city government promises streamlined regulatory and permitting processes, two factors that have attracted $3 billion in new investment and 20,000 new jobs in the past 10 years.