Southern Champion Tray: Paperboard Packaging Specialists since 1927
- KLS
- Jun 19
- 5 min read
For the 193rd feature of our "Together Talks" campaign, we collaborated with Southern Champion Tray and Custom Packaging Account Manager, Sandy D'Amato. Since 1927, Southern Champion Tray has been manufacturing quality paperboard packaging products. As a third generation family owned company, our reputation has been built through clear vision, constant innovation, and unwavering commitment to excellence and integrity in all business practices. These principles have been the backbone of our success.
The quality you can expect from SCT goes far beyond the value of products bought and sold. We strive to ensure that you are taken care of in every way, long before and long after the sale. Each of our employees operates on the basis of maintaining a long-standing reputation of integrity and customer satisfaction. The thread of excellence runs through every segment of our business and is apparent in our premium products, constant innovation, and professionalism.
You can rely on us to provide complete packaging solutions for your business.
"Together Talks" feature # 193: Southern Champion Tray presented by KLS - Your Trusted Shipping Solutions In The USA
Story of how it was created?
Southern Champion Tray has been manufacturing high-quality custom paperboard packaging since 1927 in Chattanooga, TN. We are a third-generation, family-owned company that is about to be 100 years old. Impressive. Chattanooga primarily manufactures our custom and stock items for the food service industry. Think to-go containers of all sorts. Speaking of which, and a little SCT trivia, if you ever go to a sports arena and order the garlic fries, or the nachos served in the red and white trays, that is SCT’s first claim to fame as they say. We originated that tray form and are known for it world-wide. Pretty cool.
Our Mansfield plant was formed in the 1980’s. It’s our custom retail packaging division right outside of Dallas. Primarily supporting the CPG food and beverage industry with the manufacturing of custom paperboard folding cartons.
I like to say, “we are not just building a house for your product, we are building a home for your brand”. One of our owners likes to say, “we are easy to love and hard to leave”. Sounds like a country song in the making to me. Well, we are based in TX, after all.
What have been the biggest challenges?
Not a surprise that Covid comes to mind. With the consumer scarcity buying, we were busier than ever. However, materials became scarce, and paperboard was put on allocation. We were continually pivoting to serve our customers under extreme pressure to get their cartons out in record time. We relied on our relationships. I recall daily conversations with our customers and vendors as we navigated through this unchartered manufacturing process. And here I was, a new hire in early 2019, with a front row seat to a company that successfully navigated this new way of doing business. It was incredible.
Goals for upcoming year + Next phase of the company?
SCT is always looking forward. We listen to our customers, each other, our vendors , and make decisions based on these conversations for the future of not just our company, but the CPG industry, as a whole.
Pivot, pivot, pivot. Our industry is ever changing, always in motion, which makes it exciting, am I right?
What were your concerns to joining this company?
I had a very long career in the publishing industry. I worked for a manufacturing plant that printed four color children’s books and very highly decorated paperback covers and jackets . I started out as a receptionist, went into customer service and then estimating. It was all part of my journey to becoming a sales representative, for sure. I found that I loved printing and manufacturing. I loved all of it. The smells, the machines, the people.
When Southern Champion Tray and I found each other, I knew that my sales and manufacturing skillsets would translate, however, I was new to the Texas and I had a great deal to learn about the food and beverage world. SCT supported and educated me so that I was empowered to navigate the world of CPG. The family mentality of our company created a safe place for me to nurture and grow the business. Success was in the cards for me from the beginning.
What is your why?
It's the people.
It's always about the people for me. It's relationships. It's the ever-changing community of CPG. Every day is different and far from boring. I am fortunate to have a supportive team where I feel connected and valued. I am fortunate to be surrounded by so many incredibly talented people that I get to work with every day. I am fortunate to call so many of our customers friends. I am fortunate to be seen and appreciated for what I bring to the table.
Oh, and the fun factor is high. You know me, I'm a huge fan of fun.
What separates you from the competition?
Our focus on relationship and the importance of brand identity. Sounds simple right. But, at the end of the day, for me, relationship is the key to long term partnerships. Partnerships that are focused on the importance of each individual customer’s brand identity have similar goals. Success!. Let’s be real, with humans, machines and software, chances are you will encounter a challenge or two when manufacturing just about anything. It’s the ability to communicate with honesty about these situations and find the most efficient way to resolve and change future outcomes. Not hide and hope it goes away. A true relationship built on honesty and trust, will survive most challenges. We then get back to what matters most. Getting the product on the shelves and celebrating!
Do you have a moment that brings you the most joy?
Yes! Being of service to each other, our customers, and our vendors. SCT is big on giving back to our communities in times of need and in times of celebration, and that’s important to me, as well. My joy bucket is full.
Piece of Advice
YES! It’s bits and pieces of advice I have been given through the years, and I practice it daily.
Be respectful, be kind, be on time, be of service, listen, listen, listen. Did I say listen? Haha
Relationship, relationship, relationship.
Look for the joy, take each day on with intention. Savor the moment.
Remember to have fun because this is not a dress rehearsal. Every day is opening night.
And that is exciting.
That's me personally, and professionally. In a nutshell, as my Dad used to say. In a nutshell.
Community Callout
In Closing
KLS wants to thank Southern Champion Tray and Custom Packaging Account Manager, Sandy D'Amato, for today's "Together Talks" feature. Follow along for their journey with their social handles below!
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