INVESTING IN HUMAN CAPITAL — VALUABLE COMMODITIES

“We train all of our press helpers every chance we get,” Waterhouse reveals. “Our pressmen share their knowledge with their helpers. When we install a new press, add a shift to a press, or when an operator retires, we move a helper onto our two-color press and move all of the other operators up.”

Hopkins also has support operators (trainees) in the bindery department. Employees begin by assisting the operators in the three main areas of the bindery—cutting, folding and stitching. When the company has an opening, it will look for a support operator that is ready to step into an operator’s position before looking outside the plant.