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Indiana Carton Company has been a leader in the folding carton industry since 1933. As a family owned and operated business, we take great pride in our independence and the positive impact our work has on our customers, employees, and community. For more than nine decades Indiana Carton has grown and evolved under the stewardship of three successive family generations, each generation having furthered our success and solidified Indiana Carton’s footing in the packaging industry. While the markets we serve have changed over time, our approach remains consistent: we continue to put customers and employees first in an effort to make each one a part of our strong family tradition.

Situation:

In 2024, Indiana Carton Company found itself at a pivotal point in its strategic growth initiative. With a bold goal to double the company's size between 2022 and 2032, we recognized that sustainable growth would require more than just investments in equipment or processes—it would require a strong, capable leadership team ready to operate at the next level.

While many of our newer managers brought excitement, energy, and potential to the table, we knew they needed additional support and guidance to grow into their roles and lead effectively through a period of significant transformation. We were seeking a partner who could provide established leadership best practices while also understanding the unique dynamics of our business.

Solution:  

Purdue University's Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) stood out as the ideal partner—not only because of their proven expertise, but because they were willing to collaborate with us to design a customized training program tailored specifically to the needs of our management team. This program went beyond traditional leadership training by incorporating real-world group projects that directly tied back to our company’s growth goals, allowing participants to apply what they learned in ways that made an immediate impact.

The flexibility (ability to work within our schedule and timeline, hosting sessions on-site at our facility) and hands-on approach Purdue MEP offered allowed us to address our leadership development needs in a highly targeted, meaningful way. The result was a stronger, more aligned management team prepared to help Indiana Carton thrive as we pursue our long-term vision for growth and success.

Results:

The collaboration between Indiana Carton Company and Purdue MEP yielded significant, measurable outcomes that directly contributed to our strategic growth objectives.

As a result of the leadership development and group project work completed during the program, we realized a total impact of $8,045,000.00, demonstrating a strong return on our investment. Most notably, we achieved an increase in sales totaling $6,000,000.00, which we attribute to stronger, more effective management practices, improved cross-functional communication, and the implementation of key operational improvements driven by program participants.

The program also led to strategic investments recommended through group project outcomes, including $1,150,000.00 in plant and equipment automation and $140,000.00 in information systems upgrades, all aimed at improving production efficiency and data-driven decision-making.

Through cost-saving measures and identified funding sources, we were able to offset over $490,000.00 in expenses via savings and grants—helping us maximize the value of our initiatives while minimizing financial risk.

From a workforce standpoint, the program directly influenced the creation of 7 new positions to support our continued growth, while also contributing to the retention of 2 key managerial employees by equipping them with the tools and confidence needed to succeed in their evolving roles.

Altogether, this collaboration not only strengthened our leadership bench but also helped accelerate tangible business results across multiple areas of the company—making it a cornerstone effort in our long-term growth strategy.

Impact metrics (as outlined above):

• $8.045 million in total impact - most notable:
  • $6 million in increased sales
  • $1.15 million in investments of plant and equipment automation
  • $140,000 in information systems upgrades
  • $490,000 in offset costs through cost-savings measures and grant funding
• Created 7 new positions
• Retained 2 key managerial employees

"Working with Purdue University's MEP program has been a game-changer for Indiana Carton Company. As we prepared our organization for significant growth, we knew investing in our people—especially our management team—was essential. Purdue MEP not only met our expectations but far exceeded them by delivering a fully customized leadership development program that directly aligned with our goals and challenges.

What truly set the experience apart was the hands-on, collaborative approach. The program empowered our managers with practical leadership tools while also challenging them to develop and implement real-world projects that made an immediate and measurable impact on our business. The results speak for themselves—millions in increased sales, operational improvements, strategic investments, and new job creation.

But beyond the numbers, the transformation in confidence, engagement, and alignment among our leadership team has been invaluable. Purdue MEP helped build a stronger foundation for our future, and their team was professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in our success every step of the way.

I would highly recommend this program to any company looking to elevate its employees, strengthen its culture, and contribute meaningfully to its local community. It’s more than just training—it's a catalyst for long-term growth and success."

- Mique Buck, Director of Human Resources, Indiana Carton Company