Rand-Whitney Container Expands Big at its Pawtucket RI Location
July 28, 2017
Pawtucket, RI – 455 Narragansett Park in Pawtucket was buzzing with activity on July 27 as Rand-Whitney Container cut the ribbon on its newly expanded facility. Company officials were joined by Governor Gina Raimondo, state and local representatives and business partners. Rand-Whitney owner, Robert Kraft and Jonathan Kraft of The Kraft Group attended the momentous event and enjoyed catching up with their team. PROCON CEO and Chairman Mark Stebbins’, whose Manchester, NH based company designed and built the 65,000 SF expansion, also attended the event. The new addition provides much needed space to store surplus packaging materials as the company continues to grow.
Rand-Whitney CEO and President Nick Smith kicked off the morning’s speeches with a warm welcome to all the attendees and shared some backstory about Rand-Whitney Pawtucket. “We have operated in Rhode Island since the early 80s and this will be our 3rd major expansion at this facility. This will provide us with the necessary space to continue to add equipment and capabilities to this operation. We have had a great relationship with the city of Pawtucket and our workforce is truly one of our competitive advantages and our greatest asset. We are excited about what the future holds for us in Rhode Island!”
Smith’s sentiments were echoed throughout the morning starting with Governor Gina Raimondo who stated “I want to thank you for not only staying here, but expanding here. This is just one more sign - just the latest example of the economic momentum we have in Rhode Island. There have been approximately 15,000 jobs created since I became the Governor, and it’s not me, it’s this, investing in Rhode Island and trying to create the conditions for growth.”
Robert Kraft clearly elated about the company’s achievements said, “I have a wonderful feeling about the state of Rhode Island and you are all doing a tremendous job. What we love about Pawtucket is the great workforce. You have a great state and I thank you for making us feel welcome to grow and prosper here.”
Before expansion, the company rented offsite space from another business to store their products. It was a process that involved trucking the materials back and forth as needed. The new space eliminates the need for offsite storage, is time-saving and provides the convenience of having all production materials at the same location. The welcomed expansion also includes a new conference room, driver’s office and employee cafeteria for their staff to enjoy breaks and lunch.
The expansion comes at an opportune time as national demand for warehouses fueled by consumer on-line shopping soars. Well-known retailers are ramping up their online presence resulting in the exponential growth of shipping, which in turn equals increased packaging demand. With nationally-known retailers like 3M, Lego and Newell Rubbermaid as clients (to name a few), the company is strategically poised to meet that rising market demand.
The Container Company has been a fixture on the packaging landscape for nearly 80 years. It has stood the test of time by leading the way with innovative and environmentally-friendly products. In the early 1970’s they introduced high-quality litho-laminate packaging in the U.S. Today, they are recognized as an industry leader in the E and B flute business, which combines the graphic excellence of lithography with the strength and protection of corrugated packaging.
Rand-Whitney is one of several companies owned by New England Patriot’s Owner Robert Kraft, and this is not the first time that his company has crossed paths with the New Hampshire based PROCON. The two companies have worked together since 2009. As he addressed the crowd, PROCON Owner Mark Stebbins acknowledged their longstanding relationship, “The Kraft’s have made us part of the team since we originally built a hotel with them at Patriot Place. It’s really been wonderful for our company to be part of their team. And, it’s so exciting for us as the contractors to see the smile on everyone’s face when a building like this gets transformed into a new and improved workplace.”
PROCON Senior Vice President of Operations Daniel Messier had executive oversight of the massive expansion. He remarked “We are thankful for the Kraft’s continued trust in our services. It is always a pleasure to work with such a great group of professionals like Rand-Whitney and The Kraft Group.”
More recently in 2016, PROCON was the designer and builder of the new 118,600 SF Rand-Whitney Container in Dover, NH. The warehouse and manufacturing facility opened with fanfare last July. For the most part, Rand-Whitney has no plans to slow down. Indeed, the ink only recently dried on the contracts to collaborate with PROCON on another Rand-Whitney warehouse in Worcester, MA later this year.
