# 149 - A packaging CEO Discusses Leading During a Pandemic - Eldon Schaffer from Tekni-Plex

- Show: [People of Packaging](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging)
- Published: 2022-09-08
- Length: 37m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-09-08-149-a-packaging-ceo-discusses-leading-during-a-pandemic-eldon-schaffer-from-tekn
- Listen: https://encase.substack.com/p/149-a-packaging-ceo-discusses-leading

## Summary

Eldon Schaffer, CEO of Tekni-Plex Consumer Products, discusses leading a $1.7 billion global packaging company through the pandemic, emphasizing a strategy of helping customers win by protecting products, strengthening brands, and innovating sustainably. He details Tekni-Plex's work with major brands like Keurig, Dr. Pepper, and Eggland's Best, highlighting their material-agnostic approach to egg cartons (polystyrene, PET, and molded fiber) and components for coffee, perfume, and food service. Schaffer shares leadership advice for young professionals, advocating for openness to diverse career paths and the importance of servant leadership, delegation, and empowering teams closest to the problems during crises like supply chain disruptions.

## Chapters

- [0:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-09-08-149-a-packaging-ceo-discusses-leading-during-a-pandemic-eldon-schaffer-from-tekn#t=4) Introduction: Eldon Schaffer and Tekni-Plex Overview
- [3:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-09-08-149-a-packaging-ceo-discusses-leading-during-a-pandemic-eldon-schaffer-from-tekn#t=197) Tekni-Plex Products: Keurig, Perfume, and Egg Cartons
- [6:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-09-08-149-a-packaging-ceo-discusses-leading-during-a-pandemic-eldon-schaffer-from-tekn#t=405) Material Selection: Polystyrene, PET, and Molded Fiber for Eggs
- [11:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-09-08-149-a-packaging-ceo-discusses-leading-during-a-pandemic-eldon-schaffer-from-tekn#t=692) Company Scale, Sustainability, and Keurig's Polypropylene K-Cup
- [17:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-09-08-149-a-packaging-ceo-discusses-leading-during-a-pandemic-eldon-schaffer-from-tekn#t=1049) Sustainability as a Total System: Avoiding Food Waste and Upstream/Downstream Issues
- [20:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-09-08-149-a-packaging-ceo-discusses-leading-during-a-pandemic-eldon-schaffer-from-tekn#t=1211) Schaffer's Career: From Intern at Sequence Closures to CEO
- [25:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-09-08-149-a-packaging-ceo-discusses-leading-during-a-pandemic-eldon-schaffer-from-tekn#t=1516) Pandemic Leadership: Strategy, Delegation, and Pivoting
- [32:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-09-08-149-a-packaging-ceo-discusses-leading-during-a-pandemic-eldon-schaffer-from-tekn#t=1962) Advice for Young Professionals: Being Open to Opportunities

## Topics

- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Tekni-Plex (company)
- Keurig (company)
- Dr. Pepper (company)
- Eggland's Best (company)
- Panda Express (company)
- Chili's (company)
- Revive (company)
- Sequence Closures (company)
- Avtar (company)
- Proctor and Gamble (company)
- Pepsi (company)
- Chevron (company)
- Google (company)
- Tesla (company)
- Apple (company)
- Meta (company)
- Amazon (company)
- Avelio Matos (other)
- Corey Connors (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [How I Built Resilience: Live with David Neeleman and Tristan Walker](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-04-16-how-i-built-resilience-live-with-david-neeleman-and-tristan-walker) (How I Built This)
- [Quality, Resilience and Open-Mindedness: Winning the Long Game w/ Paul Lordan and John Lordan](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-02-18-quality-resilience-and-open-mindedness-winning-the-long-game-w-paul-lordan-and-j) (The Manufacturing Executive)
- [#331: 28 Days To Save The World: Lessons Learned from a Pandemic Month of Supply Chain Issues](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2023-08-10-331-28-days-to-save-the-world-lessons-learned-from-a-pandemic-month-of-supply-ch) (Global Medical Device Podcast)
- [How I Built Resilience: Live with Christina Tosi and Gary Erickson & Kit Crawford](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-05-07-how-i-built-resilience-live-with-christina-tosi-and-gary-erickson-kit-crawford) (How I Built This)
- [EMS@C-LEVEL Season #1 Episode #2 with Creative Electron's Dr. Bill Cardoso](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2020-08-07-ems-c-level-season-1-episode-2-with-creative-electrons-dr-bill-cardoso) (EMS@C-LEVEL)

## Citing this page

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