Who We Are

In 1937, L.P. Michelsen founded Michelsen Packaging Company in Yakima, Washington as a distributor of supplies for the tree fruit industry. His abiding goal was to “provide exceptional customer service.” Through the years, the company has grown to encompass many facets including the manufacturing and marketing of Jiffy® Pads and Kushion Kraft®, Vanguard Premium® cushioning material, raisin trays, molded pulp apple and pear trays and packaging equipment. In addition, Michelsen also operates three complete paper, corrugated and aluminum can recycling centers and a full service trucking division. As an industrial packaging distributor, we represent several manufacturers of packaging supplies, materials and equipment for the Washington & Northern California marketplace. Michelsen Packaging Company currently operates manufacturing and warehousing facilities in five Western U.S. locations. In Washington, we serve you in Wenatchee, Auburn, and two locations in Yakima. We also serve you from Fresno, California. Throughout seven decades of growth, Michelsen Packaging Company has remained true to its founder’s philosophy that exceptional customer service is the number one goal.

Corporate & Social Responsibility

To promote employee development and well-being, our management is based on servant leadership principles. We believe that in order to have a meaningful life, one needs meaningful work. We strive to meet our goals by working as a T.E.A.M. (together everyone accomplishes more). Employees at all levels are empowered to use their good judgment and efforts “to serve those inside and outside the Company.” Continued education and opportunities are available for all employees. Voluntary WISHA inspections to ensure a safe working environment and safe working practices are scheduled regularly. Several communication methods are utilized to penetrate barriers that can hinder cooperation among departments. Our success in achieving a harmonious work environment is reflected in attendance rates. In 2011, fifty percent of 150 non-salaried employees were rewarded for perfect attendance.

Service to the Fruit Industry

We pursue a partnership relationship with our customers and suppliers to offer a high level of service. Our attitude is to help those we serve to become more successful. Educational information about the products we make and sell is offered to support good packaging practices for all customers.

Mission Statement

Michelsen Packaging Company is dedicated to providing uncompromising service, for all inside and outside our Company, through a commitment to performance with unyielding integrity. We value honesty, enthusiasm, initiative, and consistency–that will be the foundation of every relationship. Listening to understand those we serve is a challenge we embrace each day.

Core Values

TEAM

In order to have a meaningful life, we want meaningful work. We accomplished this together as a TEAM (Together Everyone Accomplishes More).

Quality

We make every effort to deliver the best in products and service.

Discipline

We are 100% accountable for our personal health, behavior and actions. We do what we say we will do with professionalism and integrity.

Respect

We believe in one another’s innovation, initiative and personal growth. We treat one another with kindness and respect.

Performance

Our individual performance is essential for continued financial strength of our Company.

History

Mr. L.P. Michelsen started this company in 1937 to distribute packaging materials to fruit packers located in the Yakima Valley, beginning what has been a long, loyal, and successful relationship with the agricultural business in the Yakima Valley and beyond. We are here today because of the leadership tradition started long ago by L.P. Michelsen, a tradition based on customer service, a strong commitment to our employees, and continued company growth.

Sustainability

Michelsen Packaging Company contributes to a sustainable future by promoting and developing beneficial re-use. Our business is built around recycling. Without recycling, our products would be far too expensive to produce. We recycle not only because we depend on it, but because it is necessary for the survival of our planet. Thus, it is the core of our business.  We encourage our community to recycle by providing recycling facilities and paying cash for recyclable materials. Here are just a few examples of our commitment to the environment:

• Our molded fiber apple trays and our Jiffy macerated pads are produced using recycled paper collected locally through our recycling facility, or purchased from outside recyclers.

• Rainwater is captured and used in the manufacturing process. This keeps stormwater from landing on paved surfaces and flowing to the river.

• Our Heat Reclaim System typically saves about 4 million BTU’s per hour. This is equal to 5462 barrels of oil, or 31 million cubic feet of natural gas, per year.

• Our molded fiber factory recycles each gallon of processed water at least 100 times before it is lost due to evaporation.

• Stormwater is diverted away from the street to an engineered infiltration system, reducing the load on the city’s stormwater system and keeping runoff out of the rivers.

• All of the protective packaging we manufacture is made of materials that are partly or wholly recycled, and in turn are recyclable and compostable.

• Central Washington Recycling supports community recycling by providing locations in Yakima and Wenatchee where people are paid cash for their recyclable items.

• Waste heat generated from the manufacturing process is captured and piped under the concrete to keep the outdoor loading area free from snow and ice, making the use of ice melting chemicals unnecessary.