From filing orders to operating a company that esteems teamwork and camaraderie, Pat Leibreich is dedicated to fulfilling the company’s mission that continues to enhance their packaging heritage. It was 45 years ago when Pat started to work at N.A.L. Company, Inc. during the summer while attending college at Ohio University. His father taught him how to run the machines, file orders, and how to expand the company’s abilities. “This helped me realize you can’t understand the complete process unless you have a good basic knowledge of how things run. Once I began working full time, I was in charge of managing the inventory and scheduling the orders,“ says, Pat.
On a typical day, Pat oversees the flow of materials and orders through the various manufacturing processes. He matches the best fit of materials to fill the orders on hand while minimizing scrap. After schedules are set, they flow through the plant to the different machines to produce various finished products. He ensures that the N.A.L. does whatever is necessary to get the product to the customer in a timely manner.
“It’s been 45 years since I started at N.A.L., but I haven’t forgotten how to run the different machines. There are times I will run orders myself to get the project finished. We are a hands-on type of company and family. It is so valuable for my team members to see me sweat because they know you are just as involved with the finished product as they are.
My favorite part of my job is getting to work with my brothers. Once, I was concentrating on nailing down a new and better inventory process. I was getting frustrated that things were not adding up in my ledger book. My brother Mike walked in, listened to my frustrations for a minute, then proceeded to drive a large nail through my ledger book and into my desk. ‘There,’ he said. ‘It’s nailed down, now let’s go get a beer.’”
Pat’s hard work ethic and commitment to producing the best product necessary for the customers exemplifies one important value that has been passed down each generation and that is integrity.
