Today we’d like to introduce you to Justin Woycke.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Justin. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
That’s a very good question and to be quite honest, I have always been a part of my family’s business. From coming to the office on sick days from school, sorting through shoes to find the pair, packing boxes, to finally running our Chicago operation. The business has been in my blood from the start. Moving from the diaper industry to the rag business in 1960, my grandfather started on a track that my mother has followed and now me. After graduating from UW-Madison and working for another company for 2 years, I began work full time in Milwaukee, where my mother and father run CTC Supplies Inc., Wipeco’s sister company. After 2 years of working in Milwaukee, I moved out to NYC to be with my wife who was attending school in the city. From there, I did sales and marketing for both CTC Supplies and Wipeco. But in 2008 Wipeco Inc. came calling. Wipeco Inc. bought another business in Chicago and needed my help. With my experience with my former job and knowing the ins and outs of the family business, it was time to move back. So my wife and I moved back to Chicago and in 2011 she finally decided to join the family business as well. From managing 14 people in 2008 to 32 people in 2017, it has had its ups and downs, but it’s been worth it.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I always think of business as a rollercoaster. One day you can make a great sale and finally get a customer that has been eluding you for the past year and the next you realize that your expenses are too high and you need to figure out how to cut back. So, the road is never smooth. You have to live the highs and lows.
For me, it’s really trying to find a balance between work life and family life. Work pays the bills, but family is what makes life worthwhile. Having 2 kids now, it’s more of a struggle than ever.
In business, the struggle of being a young executive in an industry that has not always been seen as young and sexy has been challenging.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Wipeco – what should we know?
As a member of the used textile industry, Wipeco, Inc. has been Green since its inception. By taking used clothing and manufactured extras and repurposing them as wiping rags, Wipeco, Inc. helps to extend the life of textiles, and keep them out of the landfills.
We reduce solid waste through the life extension of textiles while also reducing energy & water consumption through the distribution of reclaimed wipers (recycled rags) vs. manufactured. The use of reclaimed wipers support a cleaner, healthier environment.
We reuse gently worn clothing through wholesaling or exporting to less than developed or developing countries (secondhand clothing as well as household and industrial linens)
In addition to our rags, we have also taken the initiative to seek out and provide other green products to our customers. We are proud to offer a full line of Green Seal Certified products. We offer green toilet paper, paper-towel, facial tissue, paper wipers, soap and more.
Wipeco, Inc. cares as we are committed to our Industry and our Environment. We have been members of SMART, the leading association for Textile Recycling & Wiping Cloth Manufacturing for over 50 years.
We offer closed-loop recycling services and solutions with our dedicated recycling division, Chicago Textile Recycling.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My parents have really been an influential part of my life. They have been able to teach me a lot about life in general, whether it’s about family or business, even more so how to separate the two. They have worked together for over 35 years and that set a great example for when my wife came to work for me.
Probably the biggest supporter in my life is my wife. She brings light to my life (as I call her my sunshine) and helps me through the tough situations either at work or home. She helps me analyze all situations, so I can make an informed decision. She has been by my side for the last 12 years and she is one of the reasons I am who I am. With my 2 kids, my family is my team and we will get through anything together.
My whole team at Wipeco deserves credit as well, some employees have been here over 25 years and have seen the growth of business. With changes in leadership and operations, they have adapted to their new duties and doing a fabulous job.
Contact Info:
- Address: 250 N. Mannheim Rd, Unit B
Hillside, IL 60162 - Website: www.wipeco.com
- Phone: 708-544-7247
- Email: info@wipeco.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Wipeco-Inc-167661056622012/
- Twitter: @wipecoinc
- Other: www.chicagotextilerecycling.com
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