By Emily Leonczyk, President, Paperboard Packaging Council
A Welcome That Said Everything
There are some company visits that stay with you long after you leave the building. My recent time with Don Droppo, Kerry Brown, and the team at Curtis Packaging was one of those experiences.
When Kerry casually mentioned, “We’re going to have a quick moment to meet with the team before the tour,” I expected a few introductions and a handshake or two before heading onto the floor.
Instead, nearly a dozen managers walked into the room.
What struck me immediately was not just the size of the welcome, but the sincerity behind it. One by one, we went around the room meeting leaders from across the organization. The conversation felt genuine, personal, and intentional. Before I had even stepped onto the production floor, I already understood something important about Curtis Packaging:
This is a company built around people.
That spirit carried through the entire visit. The care and collaboration they extend internally is the same energy they bring to customers, suppliers, and industry partners. You can feel it in the way teams communicate, how departments work together, and the pride people take in supporting one another.
A Legacy Built on Craftsmanship and Care
Founded in 1845, Curtis Packaging has been a trailblazer in the luxury packaging industry for nearly two centuries. As one of the oldest independent packaging companies in the United States, they have built a legacy defined by craftsmanship, innovation, and a steady commitment to quality.
But what stood out most during my visit was how grounded the company remains in its family values and culture.
Curtis Packaging has clearly made a long-term investment in its people. There is a deep sense of pride across the organization, and it is easy to see why. From the production floor to leadership, employees are empowered to contribute ideas, collaborate openly, and continue pushing the company forward.
Their philosophy says it best: Driving loyalty through our passion for your success.
After spending time with the team, it became clear that this is not just a tagline. It is embedded into how they operate every day.
Leadership That Shapes Culture
You can see this philosophy reflected in the leadership of Don Droppo, President and CEO of Curtis Packaging, whose care for people shapes the organization’s tone. There is a clear focus on long-term relationships, continuous improvement, and creating an environment where employees feel supported and valued.
You see it equally in Kerry Brown, Chief Operations Officer, whose commitment to operational excellence and partnership was evident throughout every conversation and every part of the tour.
What impressed me most was how connected the leadership team is to the broader organization. There was no separation between “management” and “operations.” Instead, there was a strong sense of shared ownership and collaboration.
That kind of culture is difficult to create, and even harder to sustain over nearly 180 years.
Innovation That Feels Human
Seeing Curtis Packaging’s work firsthand gave me a real appreciation for the level of detail that goes into the luxury packaging they’re known for.
Their folding carton capabilities are exceptional, blending structural engineering, premium embellishments, and craftsmanship to transform packaging into an experience. The precision and creativity behind their work make it easy to understand why so many leading brands continue to trust them, and why they continue to be recognized in PPC’s Annual Paperboard Packaging Competition. Their work consistently pushes the boundaries of what paperboard packaging can achieve.
But what impressed me most was not just the packaging itself. It was the mindset behind it.
Throughout the visit, I had the opportunity to meet with leaders across operations, technology, manufacturing, and business strategy, and what became clear very quickly was how intentionally connected the organization is. Teams collaborate openly across departments, sharing ideas, solving challenges together, and approaching innovation as a collective effort rather than an isolated function.
One of the most fascinating parts of the visit was learning how Curtis Packaging is integrating AI across multiple business functions. It was one of the most advanced and practical implementations of AI I have seen in a manufacturing environment.
What made it especially compelling was that technology never felt disconnected from the people. Instead, AI was being used thoughtfully to strengthen efficiency, decision-making, communication, and overall performance while still maintaining the company’s people-first culture.
Sustainability with Staying Power
Another aspect of the visit that stood out was their long-term view of responsibility and stewardship.
Sustainability at Curtis Packaging is inseparable from the long-term future of the business, its people, and the customers they serve. It reflects a commitment to building a company that can endure, evolve, and thrive for generations. That perspective is evident not only in their environmental stewardship but also in the quality of their work, the investments they make in their people, and the lasting relationships they have built over decades.
What Partnership Really Means
As impressive as the technology, craftsmanship, and innovation were, what stayed with me most after leaving Curtis Packaging was something much simpler: the people.
In an industry that is constantly evolving, Curtis Packaging has found a way to embrace change without losing the values that made the company successful in the first place. They continue to invest in innovation, push creative boundaries, and explore what’s next, while remaining deeply committed to partnership, collaboration, and people.
That balance is what makes them special.
Learn more about Curtis Packaging and the work they’re doing across the luxury packaging space by visiting their website here.
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