People ordering a burger or cheese curds from a Culver’s may not think twice about where the bag in which the food arrived was made, but it may well have been manufactured at Fischer Paper Products’ Antioch plant.
A 52-year-old, privately held, family-owned business, Fischer Paper Products is now in the hands of Josh Fisher, the grandson of founder William Fischer. With its sole factory in Lake County, Josh Fischer said he regularly thinks about the past, present and future.
“Every day we’re thinking about what we have to do to keep up with changes taking place,” Fischer, the owner and president for the past 14 years, said. “I hope to see it become a fourth-generation company.”
Fischer Paper Products received the Community Investment Award from Lake County Partners Thursday at the organization’s annual Big Event in Lincolnshire for its multifaceted contribution to the community.
Steve Madden, the chair of Lake County Partners Board of Governors, said the company makes more than two billion bags a year for a variety of restaurants, convenience stores and other companies.
“I assure you, we have all held their products in our hands at some point,” he said.
Along with giving the award to Fischer paper, Lake County Partners gave Gina Schuyler, the CTE (career and technological education) chair in Grayslake Community High School District 127, its first-ever Talent Achievement Award and learned about artificial intelligence from the keynote speaker.
Always located in Antioch, Fischer said he was wooed by other municipalities a few years ago when the company needed a new, larger facility. After listening to multiple pitches, he chose to build the company’s new 175,000-square-foot plant in Antioch.
“It was a huge decision,” he said. “We have history here. It has good visibility. The city was there to help us.”
Antioch Mayor Scott Gartner said after the event Fischer Paper’s decision to build its new plant in town was a crucial piece in the development of the Antioch Industrial Park. The company is also a community partner.
“They’re large in philanthropy here, too,” Gartner said. “They help a lot of people.”
Opening the new plant four years ago, Madden said it created 50 new jobs, bringing the total number of employees to over 140. He said Fischer is also a member of the Lake County Workforce Development Board, where he helps employment needs industry-wide.
“He is a collaborative thought leader that helps align industry needs with talent development,” Madden said. “The company has hired several apprentices from (the College of Lake County) in industrial technology and computer science. These students earn a salary for both work and going to school.”
After listening to the keynote address from Rajeev Kapur, the author of “AI Made Simple,” Fischer said what he learned about artificial intelligence made him think about ways to use it for his business.
“I’m going to have to suggest it to my team,” he said.
Through her work as the CTE chair for District 127, Madden said Schuyler not only helps create job opportunities for students at the two high schools in Grayslake, she plies her efforts throughout the county.
“By engaging local business leaders and showcasing the exceptional talent pool within Lake County, schools have fostered partnerships that benefit both students and employers,” Madden said.
Schuyler said after the event she sees her position as one of collaboration and partnership. She looks for ways to help young people develop needed skills, but the jobs come from teamwork.
“I was taken aback by the award,” she said. “It involves so many people. It’s really an ecosystem. You approach somebody, and then you approach someone else. The relationships help develop job openings.”
Kevin Considine, the president and CEO of Lake County Partners, said Schuyler has interacted with people on a local and county level and beyond to find ways to guide young people into good, well-paying jobs.
“She has created so many cool new partnerships and opportunities in the education space,” Considine said. “She is creatively working to advance job opportunities and creating an awareness.”
