County Box & Pallet marks safety milestone
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — The staff of County Box & Pallet were recognized for working three years without a lost-time injury during a luncheon held Feb. 11, at the Central Aroostook Association’s gymnasium.
Photo courtesy of Allen Deeves
COUNTY BOX & PALLET recently received recognition for three years without time lost due to injury. Celebrating the milestone at a luncheon on Feb. 11 are, in front from left: Richard Wilcox, Donnie Kelley, Justin Gauvin, Stephanie Hanson, Ray Bucklin, Justin Johnson and Paul Doucette. Middle row: Charlotte Coty, Amy Thurlow, Scott Searles and Leona York. Back row: Ron Doustou, Doug Allen, Glenn Miles, Bobby Little, Milford Helton, Sue Smith (CBP’s work services manager) and Kiel Dionne. Absent from the photo was Nathan Driscoll.
The business, located on the Houlton Road, employs individuals from Aroostook County who are not considered disabled but rather are differently-abled. But that hasn’t hampered efforts to maintain a safe working environment.
“Their work ethic and dedication to safety is remarkable. Other businesses could learn from their example,” said Sue Smith, CBP’s work services manager.
Steve Richard, CAA’s executive director, said going three years without losing time to an injury is nearly unheard of, especially in a manufacturing environment. CBP employees use a variety of tools to construct wooden pallets.
“It’s an industrial environment with big equipment in use on a daily basis. This is a big accomplishment. CBP employs 18 individuals on a rotational basis,” said Richard.
The pallets are sold locally.
“We manufacture wooden pallets that are used by McCain Foods and several local farmers,” he said.
Richard praised the staff for their efforts to maintain a safe working environment.
“We’re very proud of all these individuals and their accomplishments,” said Richard, noting, “these are real jobs, paying about the minimum wage. These individuals count on their paychecks just as we do ours.”
Milford Helton, of Washburn, has been employed by CBP for about a year and said he enjoys his job.
“I run a disk nailer and other equipment. They’re the best people to work with,” said Helton.
Helton stressed the importance of paying attention while at work.
“I make sure I keep my distance on some of the machines, so I don’t get hurt,” he said.
In recognition of their efforts, each individual received a hoody sweatshirt as part of the celebration.
“The leadership team (at CAA) put on and made the luncheon, with Graves Shop ’n Save providing the cake,” said Richard.
“CAA opened CBP in 1996. The original operation was housed in a rundown warehouse on Cross Street in Presque Isle. The original crew consisted of eight crew members and two supervisory staff. The work was primarily recycling or repairing pallets for McCain Foods,” said Allen Deeves, director of community programs.
Deeves said at the beginning the repairs were done with little technical equipment other than a couple of nail guns, a pallet dismantler and a rented forklift.
“Production at that time was less than 352 pallets a week. Within months CBP moved to a facility on Central Drive, which allowed the business to expand production, hire more staff and become more technically advanced in pallet production and handling. A few years ago CBP again changed location, moving to a larger facility on the Houlton Road where it currently employs about 20 people and production is currently at approximately 2,000 pallets per week,” said Deeves.
From its inception, CBP has always had an acute focus on safety, noted Deeves.
“The employees of CBP see safety not only as a critical component to their workplace but also as a culture necessary to be productive and competitive in the current pallet market,” said Deeves.
