Solo Cup Reviews

Pros

Good people at all levels of the organization, great health benefits, good 401K match, quality conscious about all of their product lines.

Cons

No real investment for the future.
Long term employees do not want to improve.
No teamwork.
Lack of follow through on improvement ideas.

Advice to Senior Management

Invest in your people and product lines. Give employees a reason to be proud of their company. Prove safety is your overriding priority.

Pros

I feel that my coworkers were some of the nicest people I have ever worked with and my commute was tolerable.

Cons

•Extreme Micro-management
•Employees voices not heard
•Lack of communication from executives
•Poor budget management
•Too many vice-presidents that come and go
•Executives making major decisions about the company before understanding all the parts and department functions
•No feeling of security
•Employee morale suffering
•Long term employees disrespected and treated like they don't know how to do their jobs

Advice to Senior Management

I feel that the company would rather be an industry follower than an industry leader. It's a shame to see a once wonderful company being run into the ground and on it's way to being disassembled or going bankrupt.

Pros

Some people are friendly and benefits are good.

Cons

Lack of leadership and vision. No opportunity for growth and long term existence is doubtful.

Advice to Senior Management

Earn your pay and build th business rather than closing plants and laying off people.

Pros

Benefits, Pay, Location, New Building, Flex Hours

Cons

Unfair Promotion Practices, Lack of Respect Among Ranks

Pros

Good people at Solo Cup

Cons

Nothing positive to say about Solo. CEO has no idea how to run a company, lacks insight and culpability. Blames all other company functions for the companies woes to appease the dreaded vestar. Changes company strategy every six months, failing every time. He has no respect for his management team and tries to be the CFO, COO, HR, and Legal expert. Word of advise to those considering Solo Cup. Every time revenue falls, there will be corporate cuts...it's the vestar way. For some insane reason, poor revenue and earnings performance somehow is caused by the folks who have nothing to do with revenue generation or operational performance. It's the folks that do the day the day work to support his strategy that are the ones cut. I do understand cuts are part of the business, but when the CEO makes them without consulting his management team and without regard to employees performance or abilities, it just shows his inept abilities. I lost all respect for the south side boy who refuses to stand up to private equity boys. He clearly wants to make his 700k salary for as long as he can at the expense of the hard working performing employees.

Advice to Senior Management

Advice to management? Are you kidding me? Consistent downward spiral since 2006, management must go.

Pros

The people are great - in the midst of a horrible environment there are strong friendships. Salary is pretty good and the heath benefits are great - although I am sure they will be cutting those in 2012.

Cons

This is a company rotting from the top down. Senior Leadership has absolutely no idea what is going on and continues to make unsound business decisions based on whim vs fact. Morale is horrible - people cry at work on a daily basis. Nothing moves forward because people with 10-40 years of experience have no authority or automony. There aren't silos at Solo there are massive canyons between groups. Members of senior leadership YELL at each other in meetings - in front of subordinates - so unprofessional and demoralizing. Being mean and nasty to you co-workers gets you promoted, complete incompetence is rewarded and people who could make a positive difference are laid off.

Advice to Senior Management

Stop laying off good, comptent workers and take a hard look at the stupid business decisions you've made - purchasing Sweetheart and Innoware - DUMB, DUMB, DUMB yet you all still have jobs.

Pros

some great people to work with, but some are so set in their ways, they will go out of their way to make sure you do more work while they do nothing.

Cons

most maintenance personnel are more worried about what they can make you do rather than what they could help you do or make the machines run so we all have jobs.

Advice to Senior Management

Spread out the work load and tell everyone to worry about how much they make, not the other guy. Be a team player.

Pros

Good salary and benefits, lots of opportunity for advancement IF you know the right people. Nice new location in Lake Forest.

Cons

Very low morale, and senior management doesn't do a thing to improve it. Very little transparency. Management believes highly in negative reinforcement. There is no recognition for good work unless managers favor you personally.

Advice to Senior Management

Positive reinforcement is the key to successful management! Employees make your company what it is, it's necessary to give back to them instead of cutting their pay and padding your own salaries.

Pros

Good pay and corp credit card

Cons

Management is non-supporting, corporate information does not match-up with real account numbers, cutting bonus each year, and reduces raises too.

Advice to Senior Management

Most then less hires from outside in

Pros

Solo Cup offers good insurance with medical, prescription,dental, vision, and life. Also offers discounts on auto and home insurance.

Cons

Lack of communication is a big downside to the operation. Also some of the people in leadership positions show favoritism.

Advice to Senior Management

Communication needs to be improved especially at shift change. Procedures for things like changeover and materials organization need to be followed by all shifts.