We were lucky to catch up with Chris Haverlock recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Chris thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Paper Threads began in 2019 as a concept to support papermakers and educate the general public about the paper industry . The global paper industry employs millions of hardworking people, consistently generates hundreds of billions of US dollars in annual revenue, and is ever-improving as a leader in environmentally responsible manufacturing practices. It was time for papermakers to have a platform so they could represent all that is great about the industry.

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, it became apparent to the general public how important various paper grades are as commodity products. Toilet paper (for obvious reasons), paper towels as a more sanitary option to hand dryers, board grades for cardboard boxes, and the list goes on. Paper has been around such a long time that most of us have no idea what life would be like without it. People in the paper industry know this, and most of us are proud to work in such a critically important industry. Why wouldn’t we want to represent the industry positively outside of normal working hours?

The Paper Threads brand is for the papermakers. Thank you for all that you do to keep our industry successful.

Chris, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’ve been involved in the paper industry since 2003 and have loved every minute of it. I graduated with a Paper Science degree (yes, that’s a real thing) from SUNY-ESF in Syracuse, NY and have been working in the industry ever since. Outside of my entrepreneurial endeavors with Paper Threads, I’m currently focused on developing new machine technologies that make tissue and towel products with reduced a carbon footprint. The goal is to manufacture comparable products and use less water, fiber, and energy to do so. Any opportunity to manufacture an essential commodity product while reducing our environmental impact is a huge win.

In addition to being active in the paper industry’s largest technical organization (TAPPI), I’m also an administrator for a Papermaking Historical Society. Check us out on Facebook: Papermakers’ Felts & Wires Historical Society

Paper Threads is a natural evolution of expanding my involvement in the paper industry, but more importantly it provides a platform to give back to the industry which has treated me so well over the years. We are working on some exciting projects with great partners…stay tuned!

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

I began forming the foundations for Paper Threads in 2019. Between 2019 and 2022, we started a family, moved twice (once halfway across the USA), and dealt with the realities of COVID-19. The timeline to start up the business, plus the capital involved, increased dramatically. The one thought that kept me going through the initial startup curve was the fact that, if successful, I’d be able to provide papermakers around the world with a platform to represent all that is great about our industry. As I’ve progressed in my career, giving back to the industry and reciprocating all of the time and energy that my mentors spent with me to train new engineers has become incredibly rewarding and fulfilling.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

There have been two key factors that have helped build Paper Threads’ reputation in the market.

First and foremost is that I am an employee of the paper industry and I’m actively involved in many different aspects of it. Understanding your customers needs on a personal level, not just a commerce-based level, has been huge. Some of my best selling products are so niche to the paper industry that most people outside of it would have no idea what the message means. Take a look at the “Papermaker Life” shirt on the site as an example. People want to buy from sellers that “get it”.

Second is being honest and straightforward with your customer base. I’m very transparent about where, why, and how I source my products. Given the choice, I prefer to take lower margins and provide my customers with kick-ass product quality at fair prices. One major decision I made was to ship everything personally instead of a print on demand or similar service. I have to carry more inventory, thus increasing my overhead, but it allows for a more personal touch when customers receive my product. I include a handwritten thank you note in every order I ship and most of my customers get a freebie or two depending on what’s available. Plus, my packaging is much cooler. TLDNR: Don’t bullsh*t your customers and provide a personal touch with your service. I’ve been to nearly 50 countries at this point in my life and this principle holds true just about everywhere.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.paper-threads.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paper.threads.llc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paperthreadsllc/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paperthreadsllc/

Image Credits
Scott Garland