30 April 2009

LaSalle/Peru, IL – Carus Corporation
Horizon Industries employees have been providing a valuable business service to Carus Corporation since 2004. Some of Carus’ products are packaged in plastic, 5-gallon, pails that must be “sleeved” with the product name and other pertinent information. Prior to 2004, this work was done in Carus’ manufacturing facility. It was time-consuming, required lots of floor space, and it was a challenge to keep the pails clean in the plant environment. When investigating alternative solutions, Carus found that Horizon Industries had the manpower, space, and competitive pricing they were looking for. Carus moved their equipment to Horizon Industries in 2004, and the arrangement has been mutually beneficial.

According to Ruth Baracani, Production Coordinator at Horizon Industries, this job keeps 2 to 4 people busy almost every day. The employees especially enjoy this project because it involves material handling, operating equipment, and physical movement. In addition to operating the sleeving machine, they also use a pallet wrapper to package the finished pails. There is a certain prestige to the job because it requires operating large equipment, and moving and wrapping skids.

Members of the Carus Leadership Team recently toured the Horizon Industries facility to celebrate a significant milestone. Mugs were presented to all the employees in recognition of having “sleeved” 1 million pails since 2004. John Etscheid, Horizon Industries Director of Personnel, stated that it is a favorite job for many of the staff, and working with Carus has been a pleasure. Carus personnel feel the same way. Ralph Moshage, Engineering Manager for Carus, says the Horizon Industries’ employees go above and beyond when we have special orders, they respond to requests immediately, and mistakes are rare.

Carus Corporation, founded in LaSalle, IL, in 1915, is a world leader in permanganates, phosphates, and base metal catalysts, all of which Carus manufactures primarily for environmental applications. Carus Corporation is a member of the American Chemistry Council and an active participant in the industry’s award-winning Responsible Care® initiative, working to make life better, healthier, and safer through chemistry.