As the curtain draws on 2023, it’s time to reflect on the journey of growth and triumphs for us here at Conner. This year has been marked by resilience, innovation, and the collective effort of our dedicated team. Join us as we revisit the remarkable achievements that have defined our success in 2023.

We are constantly in pursuit of operational excellence and in 2023 Conner made significant strides. Our commitment to efficiency and our customers has resulted in streamlined processes, harnessing the power of our cutting-edge equipment. From supply chain optimization to logistics, we’ve fortified our operational backbone for sustained success.

Even in an industry that largely stays the same, Conner found ways to innovate in 2023. Our engineers worked tirelessly to make sure that all equipment in our plants was the right fit and adjusted when needed. Our designers are constantly innovating to find the perfect packaging for our customers that is not only durable, but cost-efficient as well.

We had the honor of contributing to this year’s NWPCA’s Annual Leadership Conference in Fort Worth, TX. Our pallets were used to decorate the stage where the panels took place. We were excited that the conference took place near our headquarters this year and that our employees were able to attend with other industry professionals.

Growth and Expansion

Some of Conner’s biggest 2023 achievements have been centered around the profound growth and expansion we have seen within the company. We have made huge strides for our Integrated Packaging Division, alongside our well-established wood packaging and lumber divisions.

In July of 2023, we announced a new manufacturing facility in Guthrie, Kentucky. This expansion into southern Kentucky manufacturing markets serves to further enlarge Conner’s integrated packaging division footprint. The facility serves large manufacturing customers in both southern Kentucky and Tennessee markets, along with its sister plants in Lewisburg, Tennessee, and Fayetteville, Tennessee. This expansion shows how Conner is continuously growing to better serve our customers and it doesn’t stop there!

In August of 2023, Conner acquired Guardian Packaging Industries, a foam cutting specialist and an integrated packaging provider that combines wood, foam, and adhesive foam tapes for a variety of applications. This was a huge investment in the expansion of our integrated packaging division, that includes facilities in Lewisburg, Tennessee, Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Guthrie, Kentucky. Located in the Dallas, Texas area, this facility serves large manufacturing customers with industrial packaging, military SPEC non-metallic component products, and a major provider of custom cut foam for military drones.

In November of 2023, Conner made two new acquisitions into a completely new market with the goal of expanding into the west. We acquired Denver Reel and Pallet Company, a custom wood crate and pallet business in Denver, Colorado. With a highly experienced team with over 50 years of experience, Conner was able to jump right in and add another manufacturing facility to the Conner integrated packaging footprint.

“The acquisition of Denver Reel & Pallet Company is an outstanding strategic development for Conner,” says David Dixon, CEO of Conner Industries. “The Denver location aligns our products and services with the needs of our customers in a rapidly evolving and demanding industrial packaging environment.”

That same month we entered a joint venture with Anderson Pallet and Crate, an outstanding strategic development for Conner. In the new formation, Conner Colorado, LLC, the company contributes the assets of our first acquisition to join Anderson’s assets to enlarge the company’s overall footprint in the west. A very exciting opportunity for Conner to continue to grow and reach into the growing markets in the Rocky Mountain region.

Our team is the most important part of our company and the heartbeat of our success. We take pride in recognizing the talents and achievements of our employees. This shows in all the huge milestones we hit this year. With one employee, Larry, reaching 35 years with the company. We had others hitting 5, 10, 15, and 20 years with the company in 2023 as well. We are so proud to have such a dedicated team being the driving force within Conner. We try to never take it for granted and make Conner a place where people want to grow.

In facing challenges head-on, Conner Industries has demonstrated resilience and adaptability (Nimble isn’t a core value for nothing!) Whether it is economic uncertainties, market fluctuations, or unforeseen obstacles, we’ve learned, evolved, and emerged stronger than ever.

As we close the door on 2023, we express our gratitude to our customers, partners, and incredible employees who made this year a resounding success. The journey continues in 2024, and we look forward to more milestones, challenges, and successes in the months and years to come. The best is truly yet to come.