January 28, 2021
It’s no secret that the global pandemic of 2020 has altered the way business is executed. Great challenges precipitated unprecedented change throughout the business world, and our industry was no exception. Haire Group has been serving the corrugated box converting industry for over 45 years, and this past year has revolutionized our industry and our entire business model in ways we never thought possible.
As COVID took hold of the airwaves and became the primary news story, people’s lifestyles drastically changed, hastening the evolution from brick and mortar shopping to purchasing goods primarily online. While many industries took a major hit, ours skyrocketed.
Corrugated box manufacturing was at an all-time high, and customers needed more equipment. However, with our sales team grounded, we needed to find a way to bring our machinery solutions to our customers without ever leaving the Haire Group headquarters.
They say, “Necessity is the father of invention,” and the proverbial “they” couldn’t be more right. Enter Haire Vision.
Haire Vision
Customers began reporting explosive numbers month after month, each month breaking the previous month’s record, even superseding typical holiday surges. To keep up, customers began looking to increase production, which meant more machines.
“We have several strengths that have helped us grow and keep sales strong,” said Jeff Quinn, VP and General Manager. “Innovation and ingenuity are not in short supply at Haire Group. Our team came together and developed what we call Haire Vision — a way to provide the same hands-on experience that our customers expect and enjoy but without ever leaving the office.”
Keith Umlauf, Executive VP of Sales, added, “We’ve been blessed with an incredible team. While many people get stuck in a rut wanting to sit back and rely only on what has worked in the past, our team does what it takes and makes the adjustments necessary to be ahead of the curve and meet needs where they are.”
Two machines are located in the Haire Showroom and Training Center. Those machines can be viewed via Haire Vision. However, Umlauf points out that, “If a customer wants to see a machine that we don’t have here at Haire, we are going to
make it happen. We enjoy such great relationships with customers we have
had for years that they welcome us showing what our machines are doing for them. The support they provide has been tremendous, and in so many ways, we could not do what we do without them.”
Quinn is amazed how far the industry and Haire Group have come in just a few short years. “When we decided back in 2005 to create the New Machinery Showroom and Training Center, we never could have imagined 15 years later we would be doing live ‘Haire Vision Sessions’ with our customers. It’s incredible what our team has done, and I am so proud of them. Now, I’m left wondering what we will come up with 15 years from now!”
To learn more about Haire Vision or to enjoy a virtual demo, contact Haire Group at www.hairegroup.com.
Jeff has been with Haire Group for more than 30 years. He has been invaluable in his role of shaping the company’s infrastructure both in the office and in the field. In addition, Jeff is a longtime member of AICC and TAPPI. He currently is the Chair for the Corrugated Packaging Council (CPC) TAPPI board. Jeff is also an avid golfer and remains active in leadership roles at his church.
Jeff Quinn
VP and General Manager
219-947-4545
