Today we’d like to introduce you to David and Robert Mendelson.
David and Robert, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Our family developed the technology and built the first paper mill in the United States that took old newspapers and made new newsprint out of them. The mill was called Waterway Paper Products and was located on the south side of Chicago back in 1917-1927. The family also had a company called Mendelson Brothers Paper Stock that collected all the old newspapers from the city of Chicago to supply the mill with raw materials. The mill supplied all the newsprint for the Chicago Daily News which was the evening newspaper in Chicago. In 1928, the company was arranging financing to build a second paper mill when International Paper Company bought Waterway, dismantled the technology and started bringing virgin newsprint (from trees) into Chicago from Canada. In essence, IP bought an account (Chicago Daily News) and eliminated a low cost competitor.
The business was built on the idea of recycling as economics…and we still have the same focus. If there is an economic reason for something to be recycled, it will be recycled. That is what the company did back then…made a lower cost product out of a lower cost raw material than wood chips. Today, our business has evolved far beyond paper to include paper, plastics, agricultural byproducts, and unique byproducts from unique manufacturing processes from around the world. However, we still look at recycling through an economic lens. Donco is active in all 50 states (checked off Hawaii a few years ago!) and about 30% of our business is global in nature. Further, we are one of the only companies that actually imports secondary raw materials in to the US.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
When the family sold out in 1928, they were quite wealthy. What did one do with money in 1928…put it in the stock market. Oops! 1929…they were destitute. My father always tells me that if his family didn’t do that, I wouldn’t have been born, because he would have been a playboy! But…they were broke, his father died at a very young age, and he went to work and had a more traditional life. I joined the business full time in 1989 and saw this thing called the internet coming along. While the use of paper would increase due to packaging, etc., the printed word was destined to be replaced….so we have worked quite hard to diversify the business beyond traditional paper byproducts.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Donco Recycling Solutions story. Tell us more about the business.
We are known for service, no voice mail, 24/7 communications, dedicated and experienced staff (average tenure is over 14 years…with many over 30 years. We have a celebration each time someone celebrates the following milestone…. they have been at Donco LONGER than they were alive BEFORE joining Donco….happens quite often!)
When we add someone to our team, either we figure out that they can’t do what we need them to do and they don’t last…. or they are here forever!! 🙂
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
Choosing to go into a family business is like playing Russian roulette with the most important relationships in one’s life. I was and am extremely lucky to have a wonderful relationship with my father…we are best friends…don’t always agree…but bounce ideas off of each other and work for the improvement of the business every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.doncosolutions.com
- Phone: 312-337-7822
- Email: info@doncosolutions.com
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