Fred Mitchell began with Columbia Forest Merchandise on Could 19, 1997, when he was solely 23 years outdated. Throughout his closing 12 months finding out Wooden Science and Enterprise Administration at North Carolina State College, a professor inspired him to start out searching for job prospects and attend a profession truthful.
It was there that Fred interviewed for, and acquired job gives from, three of North America’s largest wooden merchandise manufactures, together with Columbia. He accepted Columbia’s supply as a result of: “Even again then, I felt a way of household and noticed the chance to be taught, with hopes of sooner or later to show, and make a distinction.”
Fred remembers beginning out as a Administration Trainee at Chatham, the place he was tasked with observing and enhancing many items of the manufacturing course of. It is a frequent follow for anybody at Columbia on a pathway in direction of management. “If you wish to actually be taught the method, you’ve obtained to be immersed in it,” Fred stated.
At present, Fred holds the title of Worth Stream Supervisor – Supplies. On this function, he and his staff work diligently with uncooked materials suppliers and our gross sales and manufacturing groups, making certain that the uncooked materials that CFP makes use of day by day meets and exceeds the standard requirements, making certain that it meets our clients’ wants.
Through the years, Fred has labored intently with administration and lots of different very important groups inside CFP. He rapidly realized that each a part of the enterprise is interconnected, and communication is a necessity. He’s proud to have helped domesticate the relationships Columbia has with its distributors so that they’re extra than simply uncooked supplies suppliers. “We would like our distributors to really feel and be handled like members of the prolonged Columbia household, as a result of our success depends on theirs and vice-versa,” he stated.
“I actually wish to pour information into the subsequent era, I’ve seen loads and been taught loads. I wish to give the subsequent era info that they will use.” he stated of his future at Columbia.
With this in thoughts, Fred shall be internet hosting an upcoming video sequence on hardwood plywood face species. Columbia Forest Merchandise hopes this sequence will assist everybody be taught one thing new about plywood from a verified knowledgeable.
“I additionally wish to thank all my mentors. I sit up for being a optimistic drive in direction of the persevering with success of CFP. I hope others will see me as a useful resource and a voice for innovation at CFP,” Fred mirrored.
He additionally desires to encourage new workers and business veterans to be open-minded: “Regardless of what number of years you’ve been right here there’s all the time a brand new approach to do one thing.”
Fred has been fortunately married to his spouse Tiffany for 25 years they usually have two youngsters: 18-year-old Shailyn, who’s attending NC State College for Media Artwork & Design Know-how and 13-year-old Xavier. As a household, they like to spend time collectively and go on holidays. Fred additionally enjoys being a volunteer EMT, is lively in his church, and has a big comedian e-book assortment.
