100 Years of Packaging Excellence at TPC

What do iodized table salt, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, MGM Studios, the Winter Olympics, and TPC all have in common? They’re 100 years old. That’s some serious staying power, right? It takes determination and grit to keep a business alive and profitable decade after decade, and that’s exactly what has TPC moving forward all this time. Our well-established, family-owned business has been dedicated to customer satisfaction from day one, and our commitment to quality, innovation, and sustainability have carried us through an entire century of work for top tier clients.

Our History

TPC first opened its doors as Textile Printing Company on April 19, 1924, when Joseph A. Schmissrauter, Sr. purchased some used printing equipment for $250. “Smitty,” as Joe Sr. was known, established the company philosophy that “the customer is at the top of the organizational chart,” a sentiment that still drives the business a century later. He instilled this philosophy in his son, Joe Jr., whose leadership turned TPC into one of the strongest independent folding carton companies in all of North America. 

When Joe Jr. passed away in October of 2000, he passed ownership to his four children, Joe III, Mark, Kurt, and Hilda. In 2019, the third generation of the Schmissrauter family and their staff celebrated their 95th anniversary, and at the gathering, President Joe III happily declared, “TPC has survived world wars, recessions, and even the great depression.” Now we can add global pandemic to that already impressive list. 

A True Family Business

TPC remains privately owned and operated by the Schmissrauter family. Through every challenge, and alongside our talented employees, we continue to find ways to grow and improve, providing a full spectrum of packaging solutions to a variety of high-profile clients. As the company celebrates its 100th year, the team is fortunate to have three members of the fourth generation of Schmissrauters firmly in place to continue to guide its future. 

One Stellar Team‍

TPC currently has the best team on the field in the company's long history. Our senior ownership team– the 3rd generation of the Schmissrauter family– leans on more than 200 years of combined industry experience as they lead the collective effort. Our leaders are committed to taking the company to the next level by investing in TPC’s technology, people, and strategies to sustain the next generation throughout the next hundred years.

Joey Schmissrauter serves as TPC President working alongside his supporting cast– Hilda Murray, Kurt Schmissrauter, and Mark Schmissrauter. The company is facing a period of technology advancement and innovation specifically in the area of packaging embellishment, and working to remain focused on sustainability and environmentally-responsible manufacturing practices.

Ken Kozol is leading the innovation team as TPC’s new Chief Innovation Officer, challenging TPC to continue to push the envelope and stay ahead of the technology curve. Ken’s industry experience spans 45 years. 

The newest generation is committed to keeping TPC going strong. Erich Murray has been named general manager and has been part of the TPC team for six years. Erich has a military background and brings a wealth of leadership and development experience to the TPC culture. Jon Schmissrauter, who has been with TPC for three years, is a sales representative in TPC’s spirits business segment, and Blaes Schmissrauter Green Senior is Service and Project Coordinator for our health and beauty business segment. Blaes has been with TPC for 11 years. 

Cheers to the Next 100!

Our team is excited to celebrate our rich history and past while also reveling in what’s yet to come. TPC has survived and thrived through a great deal of dramatic industry shifts, hardships, staffing changes, and more– and we’re still as committed as ever to delivering only the best to each and every client we serve.

Still Pressing Ahead

As we move forward, our team will keep our focus laser sharp while ensuring customer satisfaction is always at the forefront. Our facility is expanding so we can continue to offer a wider variety of printing and packaging services. The new addition to our space is dedicated to our rigid box offerings as well as collectible packaging. We are also expanding into the high-end, collectible card business with card sorting and kitting machinery being added to meet those needs.

We will also continue actively chasing our sustainability goals which include using both natural and recycled resources in an environmentally sound manner, to build a path to carbon neutrality by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050, and to reduce waste flow through production improvements. We’ll also continue to lift up eco-friendly printing and packaging alternatives to our customer base while educating them on the best options to meet their specific needs.

A Heartfelt Thank You

To our employees– past and present, our incredible clients, and the city of Chattanooga, thanks for joining us on this journey to 100 years in business. We’re grateful for the hard work of our founders, the loyalty of our customer base, and the little pocket of East Ridge we’ve called home for so long. We can’t wait to see what the future holds.