ADAPTING TO NEW CLIMATES: 2001-2019
When disaster strikes, Sonoco’s global team comes through. Whether facing a deadly hurricane or a supply chain hitch, we find meaning and purpose in working around the clock to get things back up and running—sometimes on behalf of others thousands of miles away. Just check our track record.
On Sept. 14, 2018, Hurricane Florence made landfall with a direct hit on South Carolina’s coast and record-shattering rains. Floods hit Hartsville the likes of which no living residents had ever seen.
Floodwaters standing 60 inches deep and rising put a nearby dam at risk. Sonoco temporarily closed our plants, paper mill and recycling facilities in the impacted areas.
Our team responded at record speed. With all hands on deck, we worked three shifts around the clock: 500 associates and 350 contractors pulled together to clear away waterlogged material, debris and standing water and refit pipes and equipment. In the end, we were back in operation a week ahead of schedule.
When supply chain disruptions caused market chaos around the world coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, we adapted quickly.
Sonoco had “to ship material, raw materials, literally across the globe to ensure that we didn’t shut a customer down,” explains Elizabeth Rhue, Sonoco Vice President of Global Environmental, Sustainability and Technical Services. “We were able to manufacture the product with quality.” In some instances, she said, that meant quickly mobilizing our R&D and supply management teams to qualify alternative materials “so that we could keep our customers going and not let their supply chain challenges impact our quality and our service to our customers.”
Our guiding principle of doing the right thing applies to more than customer care. It also applies to how we serve our communities. In February 2023, devastating earthquakes hit Turkey and Syria. Sonoco rallied to contribute $50,000 to the American Red Cross and other humanitarian relief efforts in the area. “We believe we have an obligation to contribute to help those who are struggling to recover from this traumatic disaster,” said CEO Howard Coker. Sonoco’s support helped the Red Cross and Red Crescent provide families with essential needs in the earthquake’s aftermath.
Whether we’re facing an earthquake or a hurricane, we won’t be kept down. Together, we’re Sonoco strong.