Practical common sense is what made Wilsonart International the leading decorative surfacing company we are today. For nearly seven decades we have taken care of our Customers, striving to make them successful. Year in and year out we have incrementally made the Company stronger as well. A third critical leg of our success is grounded in engaging the hearts and the minds of our People allowing the perpetuation of these first two articles of our practicality.
— Bill DiGaetano, former president, North America
Sustainability represents respect, responsibility, and commitment. Respect for the customer, our employees, and the environment. Responsibility to do the right thing. Commitment to continuous improvement.
— Susan Simpson, controller
Sustainability is the ultimate goal in the evolution of modern manufacturing. To be able to produce high quality goods in a manner that has no waste or negative environmental impact is a win for everyone!
— Ricky Crow, general manager, Adhesives
Sustainability is in Wilsonart's culture. It's about doing the right things for the right reasons. Wilsonart's goal is to be valued as leading advances in sustainability in all the businesses we participate in.
— William R. Booth, vice president, Manufacturing-Laminate, North America
Sustainability will create new business opportunities for both our customers and Wilsonart.
— Ron Gagnon, vice president, product development, design and marketing
Our commitment to Sustainability and keeping both (our) two worlds prosperous and safe are grounded in the same elements of sensible realities; do the right thing, for the right reason every time. Simple words on paper, or undeniable demonstrated actions? The latter is what has and will define Wilsonart International’s conscience – our actions will meet your expectations.
— Bill DiGaetano, former president, North America
Sustainable design is integrated design. Understanding the complete requirement for sustainable design allows industry professionals to make product recommendations that are in line with the total desire to minimize environmental impact and create true sustainability.
— Tim Atkinson, vice president, sales
Sustainability will reshape and redefine Wilsonart's business processes and create new opportunities to deliver value for our customers and Wilsonart.
— Ron Gagnon, vice president, product development, design and marketing
Achieving a sustainable business model is perhaps one of the most difficult and one of the most pressing goals we face. It requires on the part of all of us commitment, action, partnerships and, sometimes, sacrifices of our traditional life patterns and personal interests. Wilsonart, as a global company, can help achieve that goal by promoting sound environmental practices and helping support the heath and wellness of all of our employees and the community.
— Kevin Sweeney, director, environmental, health & safety

Wilsonart Employee Vincent Kasa

Video Transcript:

VINCENT KASA:

My name is Vincent Kasa. I’ve been at Wilsonart for 30 years. I am a supervisor in the assembly department and the collating/sheeting department.

Sustainability means, as far as Wilsonart, is how do we survive on our own, how do we recycle the material we are using instead of throwing stuff in the trash—how do we send it out there to recycle to reuse the products instead of just trashing them. From the raw materials to the cardboard to the materials that we can ship back out and have recycled.

What we do, is we meet in the mornings and we talk about what we can do to improve the process and, in the group meetings, they’ll come up with suggestions on how do we improve it. And, the more involvement we get the better we are. We are asking the people for their help.

Some of the suggestions that came up are the recycling of poly. We’ve been throwing it in the trash but now we are recycling it. We put it in a container and we gather all our excess poly and we’ll take it and we’ll put it together and we’ll recycle it. Other issues that we had, or other suggestions that came up are the bands that come in when they’re shipped. We take the bands and we cut them off the pallets. We were throwing them in the trash but now we’re pulling them on out. We’re recycling and selling them for the metal—putting them back into the process.

Along with the recycling in manufacturing, Wilsonart has a couple of dumpsters out in front that they set up for people where they can bring their materials and their plastic containers, their cans, their trash overall. The more we get involved in doing it I think the better off we’ll be in the long run.

My family consists of my wife and two boys and a grandbaby, Layla Jay Kasa. She’s precious to me and we want to make sure we keep everything green for them. It’s a good thing and I think other people believe in that, too. Making sure we keep recycling as much as we can instead of taking stuff to the landfill and throwing stuff in the dumpster.

It’s an easy step.

Video: Manufacturing takes recycling very seriously

Wilsonart Employee Vincent Kasa

Video Transcript: