By Ellie Mitchell, HR Generalist | Kingsport Mill
“A picture is worth a thousand words.” For a papermaker, this photo is worth a million.
Ted Wiggins retired after 43 years of dedicated service to the Kingsport Mill. As Ted walked out for the very last time, he took one last glance at the machine. Work belongings in one hand and his dinner bucket in the other.
You are looking at an employee who for the last 15,706 days dedicated his life’s work to papermaking.
I just had to capture the wisdom!
Ellie: What’s the proudest accomplishment of your career?
Ted: My dad worked there (Domtar), two brothers, I worked there and now my son. There has been a Wiggins at the mill since 1952. (If you are counting, that is 73 years!)
Ellie: What’s a lesser-known aspect of paper manufacturing that you think more people should appreciate?
Ted: All the things it takes to produce a piece of paper.
Ellie: If your tools or machines could talk, what would they say about you?
Ted: Well, I guess that I tried to do a good job and treated everybody right. Treated them all the same.
Ellie: If you wrote a book about your career in the paper industry, what would the title be?
Ted: Dedication.
Ellie: If you were to give your career a theme song, what would it be?
Ted: Happy Days.
Ellie: How do you hope the next generation of paper industry professionals carries the torch?
Ted: Take pride in the work. It is a craft.
Ellie: What’s a funny or unexpected moment you experienced on the job that still makes you smile?
Ted: Someone asked me if Thanksgiving was on Thursday this year. I said, “No. It’s on Wednesday.” Because it’s always on Thursday! Guy asked me how many annual shutdowns we are going to have, and I said, “Two.”
Ellie: What’s the most memorable project or product you worked on over the years?
Ted: Building the K1 machine. If it wasn’t for that, most of us would have lost our jobs.
Ellie: If you could give one piece of advice to someone just starting out in paper manufacturing, what would it be?
Ted: Learn from the experienced people. They are the ones running the machine every day, 12 hours a day. They notice the differences.
Ellie: Was there a particular mentor or co-worker who had a lasting impact on your career?
Ted: There were a lot. Glenn above all. We call him “Google Glenn.” Whatever we need to know, we go to Glenn and that is everybody. He is one in a million and the most dedicated person to his job I have ever met in my life.
Ellie: What’s the first thing you plan to do after retiring?
Ted: Fishin’ since it ain’t huntin’ season. Watch the chickens scratch around. Throw ’em some treats.
Ellie: Last words of wisdom?
Ted: Just be patient.