On their last day of class, just over thirty Mississippi State students met with officials from Winston Plywood and Veneer. After a brief meet and greet, the students would split so that small groups could take a tour of the mill and further learn about the business as well as the products produced by WPV.
Multiple managers from WPV were on hand when the students descended upon the Colonial Room at Lake Tiak O’khata mid-morning on Thursday, where the students were introduced to plant manager, Jason Watson, who would lead of the educational meetings for the day. Watson introduced colleagues from the mill, and he provided safety information for the tour.
The meet and greet began with a video that provided an introduction to business at the second largest employer in Winston County. Groups would tour both the mill and the log yard. Watson emphasized the work culture at WPV, encouraging the students to look at work as both “protecting the people you lead” while also enjoying the job.
Watson introduced Kalvin Hackney, a leader in Environmental Health and Safety at WPV. He also revealed that prior to Hackney’s coming to the position, the mill averaged 19 injuries per year. This number has fallen by more than half since that time.
Watson also shared some interesting statistics about the mill: WPV employs 400 people, but the impact to the community goes far beyond those jobs. At least 26,000 log trucks come through the mill to unload, and approximately the same number of trucks leave the plant with product. He also revealed that the mill has an impact on at least 150 communities outside of Winston County due to the nature of the natural resources needed and products made at the mill. Speedy Calvert would also tell the group that this was not a recruiting event, but one to provide education so that these students could make informed decisions about their future employment.
Students in small groups would then depart with their professor, Dr. Eric McConnell, and WPV’s LaShanda Baker to tour the facility.
Upon returning to LTOK, students had one final question and answer session with WPV officials. When the Journal asked students about their impressions of the mill, MSU student Seth Box of French Camp replied that the mill was the most “efficient” and offered “high tech” machinery when compared to other facilities the group had toured this spring, including facilities in Macon, Guntown, and Aliceville (Alabama). Box also said that he looked to find work in lumber procurement, and that WPV fit his criteria for a desirable workplace. Box made sure to speak with those managers over procurement at the plant in order to make this decision. Another student, Kennedy Brooks from Laurel, praised the work environment at Winston Plywood. Students seemed very impressed with the facility, and many voiced an intention to apply for employment there.
Students departed the Lake around 1:30 after a fun yet educational day with the mill’s management.
