News

Shaun Ashworth - President for the Right Reasons

May. 16, 2018
Shaun Ashworth

“I walk the floor every single day and treat people with respect, because they are deserving of that.”                                                          ~Shaun Ashworth, President of Associated Labels and Packaging

Shaun first started working at Associated Labels and Packaging in Junior High School. He would take the bus from Coquitlam to its original location in East Vancouver. From his humble beginnings cleaning floors; Shaun used his strong work ethic and strategic thinking to propel himself through the company. He went from shipping & receiving, to plate making, rewind machine operator, printing press operator, production manager, procurement manager, operations manager and then sales. 26 years later, he is now President and employs 210 people on three shifts seven days a week in over 80,000 square feet of production space.  When the company first started in 1980, it employed three people and focused on pressure sensitive labels. Over the years AssociatedLP moved into flexible packaging, this included bar wrappers, stick packs, tea sachets, shrink sleeves, stand-up pouches, and lidding film.  Environmental sustainability is very important to AssociatedLP, and is why they developed North America’s first Non-GMO, fully backyard compostable stand-up pouch. AssociatedLP is the largest premium label and packaging facility in Western Canada and the Pacific North West.    

 

 

What aspect of the company is the most meaningful to you?

People, to see them become better and passionate about what they do. The buy-in to our culture and the family feeling that is created. Seeing the advancements in people and the little wins here and there.

What is your biggest learning outcome?

You can always be or do better. There is always continuous improvement. That’s what I have learned. The status quo is not a good way to go, it’s the way of the Dodo bird.

What is important for others to know about you and your company?

It’s not all about making money and clawing your way to the top and throwing people to the side. It’s about doing business in an ethical way. By that I mean being well balanced in everything you do. Pushing forward environmental sustainability and socially responsible initiatives are very important to me.

What is your vision for the company?

To do our best, and make our best better. Continuously improve. Success in everything, personal and professional. Being better in your personal goals; and in business just go that extra mile to be more professional, efficient or more approachable. Just be better.   “I am doing all of this for the right reasons, not the wrong reasons. Just being a good human, being kind to people, giving back to communities."       ~Shaun Ashworth, President of Associated Labels and Packaging