Guiding Growth for Packaging Company

Company Profile

Founded by Harold Spinner in 1916, H.R. Spinner is a produce packaging distributor that began in the Yakima Valley, serving the tree fruit industry. As the industry grew, Spinner established an office and warehouse in Wenatchee in 1926. When the cost of wood shook became prohibitive, the company transitioned to distributing corrugated cartons. This shift led to other packaging solutions such as pulp trays, poly bags, and fruit wrap. In 2012, H.R. Spinner acquired a wood products company to round out their capabilities. Today, the company offers mechanically set-up cartons to meet customer demand and employs approximately 50 people.

Situation

H.R. Spinner was in need of better IT functionality. The CFO needed a better accounting software solution, and the leadership team wanted to make technology a strategic part of their business model. However, they did not have the resources or knowledge base to select or implement a software solution on their own. With past experience working with Impact Washington, they knew we would be able to help.

Solution

In 2014, they started by selecting and implementing an IT solution. With Impact Washington supporting the effort with continuous involvement, H.R. Spinner was able to take the time to find the right staff and program to meet their software needs. When H.R. Spinner acquired the wood products company, they continued their work with Impact Washington and incorporated software solutions for accounting, logistics, and inventory management. Lean training and lean manufacturing initiatives have also been implemented, including documented processes and continuous improvement strategies to increase productivity and better meet the demands of the growing health food producing industry.