Cauthorne Paper, Part II (CONT’D FROM PAGE 1)
the 1960s. He helped Mark transition into Cauthorne and retired in 2022. “I was fortunate to have Theresa, Dick and Steve help me transition into a new business,” he said. “These people took me under their wings and made me feel comfortable.” By way of example of his early misun- derstanding, Mark recalls calling manila tag stock “vanilla” tag stock. “I mean, it kind of looks like vanilla, right? They corrected me and helped me understand the difference.” Joining the Cauthorne team shortly after Williams pur- chased the company is Tom Zbell, Cauthorne’s Process Improvement Technician. Mark knew Zbell from Richmond Corrugated, where he worked to reduce set-up times, ob- tain ISO certification, and standardize work instructions. A veteran of GenEdge, formerly known as the Virginia Man- ufacturing Extension Program, Zbell has been key to up- grading Cauthorne’s quality processes and procedures. “I didn’t really want to retire,” Zbell said, “so Mark gave me a job as a part-time process improvement technician. I run his quality program and keep track of things that are regulated by other agencies like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).” Zbell’s long experience in documenting and implementing process and procedure has, in Mark’s words, “helped capture Cauthorne’s internal tribal knowl- edge and document it.” Mark also credits his operators – Rothmony Him, Seng Seang, Dean Smith, Moen Sam and Randy Lathrip – for
their work ethic and efficiency. Mark tracked down Ra- mone Turner, a former truck driver from Richmond Corru- gated, and brought him in in 2018 to drive and organize Cauthorne’s warehouse. Peggy Umbel, Customer Service Manager, ably cares for Cauthorne’s largest customer and their sometimes-complex order requirements. This past year Mark recruited Mike Smith as Plant Man- ager. Formerly with Manchester Industries in Richmond, another specialty paper converter, Mike brought with him his experience in overseeing a plant with state-of-the art precision sheeters, as well as expertise in using PaperSoft, software which powers Cauthorne’s CRM and operating systems. Dean Smith, operator of the Jennerjahn JLS 73 slitter-rewind- er, handles finished rolls of slit and rewound kraft paper.
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18 February 16, 2026
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