--- title: Excellence Starts With Great People description: Rich Wise retirement from Ashtonne Packaging, a custom designed packaging company helping customers with their packaging concerns and reducing costs. image: https://www.ashtonne.com/hubfs/Employees%20Outside%20Building%202026.jpeg --- [![ashtonne packaging company](https://www.ashtonne.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Logos/ashtonne_logo.png?width=328&height=112&name=ashtonne_logo.png "ashtonne packaging company")](https://ashtonne.com/) [Request More Information ](https://www.ashtonne.com/surveys/creative-packaging-ideas-and-solutions) [877-522-6937](tel:8775226937)   × # Excellence Starts With Great People - [** ](https://www.facebook.com/AshtonnePackaging/) - [** ](https://www.twitter.com/Ashtonne_pkg) - [** ](http://pinterest.com/ashtonne8775226937/) - [** ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/11170776) - [** ](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpVPPbg_6lPaoNol_G6PuPQ) ![Excellence Starts With Great People](https://www.ashtonne.com/hubfs/Employees%20Outside%20Building%202026.jpeg) ** [Dan Schlitt](https://www.ashtonne.com/blog/author/dan-schlitt) ** Posted on May 21, 2026 | Updated on May 28, 2026 # Excellence Starts with Great People   Celebrating the Impact of Rich Wise on Ashtonne Packaging’s Culture of Success In the packaging industry, there is a lot of attention placed on equipment, materials, automation, logistics, freight, warehousing, and production capabilities. Those things matter. But manufacturers who are looking for [true partners](https://www.ashtonne.com/) realize that “what packaging companies do” isn’t what makes them the best. The [best companies ](https://www.ashtonne.com/)are built on trust. The [best companies](https://www.ashtonne.com/) are built on relationships. The [best companies](https://www.ashtonne.com/) are built on a culture of excellence. The one thing each of those points has in common: The [best companies](https://www.ashtonne.com/) are built with the best people. People like our own retiring Director of Sales, Rich Wise.   ![Rich with get well teddy bear- Ashtonne Packaging, a custom design and display packaging company](https://www.ashtonne.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Rich%20with%20get%20well%20teddy%20bear.jpeg?width=203&height=152&name=Rich%20with%20get%20well%20teddy%20bear.jpeg)Rich has been part of what is excellent here. Strong communication. Problem solving. Accountability. Experience. Teamwork. Those are the things that help projects stay on track and help businesses continue growing, especially when things get tough. At [Ashtonne Packaging](https://www.ashtonne.com/), we believe our people are our single greatest asset. Our culture has always been built around relationships, teamwork, and a shared commitment to helping each other, and our customers succeed. Rich was a big part of that. We’re going to miss him, but we also know we’re better off because he was here. ### A Team Working Toward a Common Goal   ![Rich Wise with wife and daughter- Ashtonne Packaging, a custom design and display packaging company](https://www.ashtonne.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Rich%20Wise%20with%20wife%20and%20daughter.jpeg?width=150&height=200&name=Rich%20Wise%20with%20wife%20and%20daughter.jpeg)Long-term success comes from people who genuinely care about the company, the customers they serve, and the people they work beside every day. That culture has helped Ashtonne continue growing while maintaining the responsiveness, flexibility, and relationships that customers value in a [trusted partner.](https://www.ashtonne.com/blog/ashtonne-long-term-partnerships) When the culture is right, client relationships are right. When deadlines tighten, production schedules shift, or [supply chain](https://www.ashtonne.com/blog/benefits-of-a-packaging-partner-in-your-supply-chain) challenges emerge, manufacturers need [packaging partners](https://www.ashtonne.com/blog/ashtonne-long-term-partnerships) they can trust to communicate clearly, respond quickly, and help solve problems. Need an example of this? Here you go. Meet Rich Wise! ### Celebrating the Impact of Rich Wise   Rich Wise is the kind of person every company hopes to have on its team. ![Rich Wise Retirement Lunch- Ashtonne Packaging, a custom deign and display packaging company](https://www.ashtonne.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Rich%20Wise%20Retirement%20Lunch.jpeg?width=191&height=199&name=Rich%20Wise%20Retirement%20Lunch.jpeg)He joined Ashtonne Packaging in 2013 as a sales representative, but his role quickly became much bigger than a title. Rich had a way of understanding what customers were really trying to accomplish. He could look beyond the immediate order and help clients think through the packaging strategy, [fulfillment](https://www.ashtonne.com/services/custom-packaging-product-fulfillment) needs, timing, growth challenges, and practical details that could make or break success.   ![Rich and Dan early hire- Ashtonne packaging, a custom design packaging display company](https://www.ashtonne.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Rich%20and%20Dan%20early%20hire.jpg?width=152&height=203&name=Rich%20and%20Dan%20early%20hire.jpg)That made him especially valuable to some of Ashtonne’s fastest-growing client partners. When companies were scaling, changing, adding complexity, or trying to get a better handle on [fulfillment,](https://www.ashtonne.com/services/custom-packaging-product-fulfillment) Rich brought steady leadership and real-world perspective to the table. He helped customers execute well, and he helped our team grow stronger in the process. In 2018, Rich was promoted to Director of Sales, a natural reflection of the trust he had built with customers, vendors, and teammates. He played an important role in the growth of [Ashtonne’s Fulfillment division](https://www.ashtonne.com/services/custom-packaging-product-fulfillment), but just as importantly, he helped develop the people around him. He coached, mentored, listened, encouraged, challenged, and made others better. ![Conference room discussion- Ashtonne Packaging, a custom design and display packaging company](https://www.ashtonne.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Conference%20room%20discussion.jpeg?width=202&height=151&name=Conference%20room%20discussion.jpeg)“Rich Wise was integral in helping to build the client-focused, ‘**Say YES’ **culture here,” says Ashtonne Packaging President Dan Schlitt. “He is and was a consummate professional, and his leadership made the company better every day.” That is the kind of leadership that stays with a company. Rich built relationships the right way: with honesty, consistency, follow-through, and genuine care for the success of others. His impact can be seen in the clients he helped, the [vendor partnerships](https://www.ashtonne.com/blog/ashtonne-long-term-partnerships) he strengthened, and the team members who benefited from working alongside him.   ### Carrying the Culture Forward   The best [packaging partnerships](https://www.ashtonne.com/blog/ashtonne-long-term-partnerships) are built with people you can trust when things get difficult. People who answer the phone. People who understand urgency. People who care about your business like it matters because to them, it actually does. That is what Rich Wise represented throughout his career at [Ashtonne Packaging,](https://www.ashtonne.com/) and it is the kind of culture we work hard to build every day across our entire team. Manufacturers today have choices. Plenty of them, especially if they’re just looking for a vendor. What is much harder to find is a [packaging partner](https://www.ashtonne.com/blog/products-partnerships-packaging-and-the-power-of-ai) filled with experienced people who communicate well, solve problems, build relationships, and genuinely want to help your company succeed long term.   We are thankful for everything Rich contributed to [Ashtonne Packaging](https://www.ashtonne.com/) over the years, and we are proud that the values he represented continue to shape the way we serve our customers moving forward. If your company has a “Rich Wise” on the team, then you know what we’re talking about. And you know what kind of a company we are, too. ** **Tags:** [excellence](https://www.ashtonne.com/blog/tag/excellence), [customer experience](https://www.ashtonne.com/blog/tag/customer-experience), [reliable packaging](https://www.ashtonne.com/blog/tag/reliable-packaging), [customer oriented](https://www.ashtonne.com/blog/tag/customer-oriented), [dedicated packaging supplier](https://www.ashtonne.com/blog/tag/dedicated-packaging-supplier), [ashtonne packaging](https://www.ashtonne.com/blog/tag/ashtonne-packaging) [« Back to Blog](https://www.ashtonne.com/blog) [![New Building-3- ashtonne packaging, a custom design packaging supplier](https://www.ashtonne.com/hs-fs/hubfs/New%20Building-3.jpg?width=2000&height=1500&name=New%20Building-3.jpg "New Building-3- ashtonne packaging, a custom design packaging supplier")](https://ashtonne%20packaging) #### Contact us using the form below or call us at [877-522-6937](tel:8775226937). ["Ashtonne Packaging has been our primary supplier of custom display products for several years. Their creative designers go above and beyond to quickly turn our ideas into physical samples, which helps ](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner)[Bendon](https://www.bendonpub.com) secure a great deal of promotional sales. Once we go to production, Ashtonne always delivers high-quality and eye-catching display solutions which allow our products to stand out from the competition at retail. I can sincerely say that Ashtonne’s overall service is the best I have experienced in the 8 years I have been a buyer of corrugated products!" [Rachel Rabalais](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) [Bendon](https://www.bendonpub.com) Ashland, Ohio [“We have been buying boxes and using Ashtonne Packaging for years now. The prices have stayed very competitive and the VMI service really works in our favor. They come once a week to do inventory and I am never out of boxes.”](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) [Mike Buckingham II](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) [Lake Erie Frozen Foods](http://www.leffco.net/) Ashland, Ohio ["The Ashtonne Packaging team has been instrumental in our business. The Ashtonne Packaging Team was able to work with our design team seamlessly from creating final drawings, artwork, and material selection, through production. We have continued to rely on them for other print and packaging needs."](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) [Josh Wiesman, Co-Founder and CEO](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) [Smilo Baby Products ](https://www.smilobaby.com) ["We talked to plenty of packaging people, and we tried to do that early on...I think we could go to a number of different companies that could deliver on budget and on time...But it was the level of detail and the craftmanship that you get at Ashtonne Packaging that I haven’t seen before.” ](https://www.smilobaby.com) [Keith Tritschler](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) [Smilo Baby Products](https://www.smilobaby.com) ["Ashtonne Packaging brought in several prototypes of a four-pack carrying carton for my approval… their designs met my specifications for functionality and attractive design… and they delivered on time, with quick turn-a-round!” ](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) [Doug Reynolds, Co-Founder and CEO](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) [Uniontown Brewing](https://www.uniontownbrewing.com) Ashland, OHIO [Working with Ashtonne Packaging was a dream. As a new business, we rely on business partners and vendors not just for their service, but for the experience and education they offer. Rich and the Ashtonne Packaging team were super knowledgeable, flexible, and patient. I also appreciated their willingness to work with low volumes (critical for new products) and that they have the capacity to handle so much more as we grow. They also provided some thoughts on our business outside of packaging showing that they were focused not just with their piece of the puzzle, but interested in supporting our all-around growth. And perhaps most importantly, our launch packaging was gorgeous and we get rave reviews from our customers on it! ](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) [Adiya Dixon, Founder](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) [Yubi Beauty](https://www.loveyubi.com) Powell, Ohio ["We continue to look for new ways to get in front of the consumer and are leveraging off-shelf displays more than ever before to achieve this objective. John Baxter and the team at ](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner)[Ashtonne Packaging](https://www.ashtonne.com) continue to deliver innovative display solutions that provide the flexibility and quality we need." [Tim McNamara, VP of Marketing- Perio, Inc](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) [Barbasol](https://www.barbasol.com) Ashland, Ohio ["We appreciate Ashtonne Packaging's keen packaging insights, and design expertise that have vastly improved our e-commerce packaging for both our own ecommerce business, and our Amazon business." ](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) [John Domurad](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) [Lenox](https://www.lenox.com) ["I'm very happy with how smoothly the process went with Ashtonne Packaging. They are very helpful, the pricing is competitive, and the design team has been great."](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) [Mike Nash](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) [SPX Brands](https://solarxeyewear.com/) [“Ashtonne Packaging worked with us for many months until we had the perfect packaging for our product. They went above and beyond every step of the way, and we are very happy with the final results. I’d highly recommend them, especially for those looking for quality packaging Made in the USA.” ](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) [Michael C. Rice, Inventor/Founder/Co-CEO ](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) [Gripknife LLC](https://www.gripknife.com) [“Before we installed the automation equipment from Ashtonne Packaging, we would need twenty to twenty-five employees to produce about 2,000 packages. On typical days, six workers would produce 750 units . Now just four employees can produce 800 units. It has completely exceeded our expectations.”](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) [Eric Wentworth](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) [Fin Fur Feather Outfitters](https://www.finfeatherfur.com) ["I want you to know that I receive amazing feedback daily, from customers and fellow business owners, on the quality and style of your packaging. You knocked our packaging out of the park and I am truly grateful. You will be hearing from me soon with another order. Until then, keep doing great things!"](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) [Heather Chabino, Co-Owner](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) [Hob Nob Candles](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) ["Regarding the Skullmate Hanger Project, we and our client have been thrilled with how it turned out and how it functions". ](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) [Emily Miller, Owner](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) [Inspire Design](https://www.inspiredesignco.com) [“We talked to plenty of packaging people, and we tried to do that early on...I think we could go to a number of different companies that could deliver on budget and on time… But it was the level of detail and the craftsmanship that you get at Ashtonne Packaging that I haven’t seen before.” ](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) [Keith Tritschler](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) [Smilo Baby Products](https://www.smilo.com) [" Thank you for being such a dependable supplier to us. It's nice not to have people I don't have to worry about". ](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) [J. Howard](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) [J-Lenco, Inc](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) ["We can tell you that the first batch that was sent to REI sold out around Thanksgiving, good and bad problem. The distributor has sent a second batch to REI and we are waiting for the product to activate on the site again. It was cool walking into our local store and seeing the product on the shelves/peg board".](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) [Brad Kenemuth](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) [The Liftie](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) [Regarding the Tasting Board Retail Kit Project, Matt Snyder said: "Whoa! Mind blown! That is incredible! I love it! Cheers!"](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) [Matt Snyder](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) [Founder](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) ["As a consumer-facing brand, we really value a customer's first impression of our product in-store. When we expanded into a larger retailer, we looked to Ashtonne for help designing a custom display to showcase our alcohol infusion kits. The team at Ashtonne listened to our needs and quickly came up with a creative way to show our products. Everyone we worked with at Ashtonne was flexible and offered solutions for pricing that worked within our budget. As a result of using the display stands, our product is selling faster than accounts that do not have a display case!"](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) [John Feller, co-Founder](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) [Aged and Infused](https://www.ashtonne.com/customer-testimonials-of-packaging-partner) ![Ashtonne Packaging](https://www.ashtonne.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ashtonne_Packaging_December2018/images/ashtonne_logo_white.png?width=328&height=112&name=ashtonne_logo_white.png) 1235 Jacobson Ave, Ashland, OH, 44805 Toll-Free: [877-522-6937](tel:877-522-6937) Fax: [877-292-5660](tel:877-292-5660) Follow Us: [![Linkedin](https://www.ashtonne.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ashtonne_Packaging_December2018/images/linkedin-512.png?width=50&height=50&name=linkedin-512.png)      ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/11170776)  [![Facebook](https://www.ashtonne.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ashtonne_Packaging_December2018/images/fb-f-logo__blue_100.png?width=50&height=50&name=fb-f-logo__blue_100.png)      ](https://www.facebook.com/AshtonnePackaging/) [![Twitter](https://www.ashtonne.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ashtonne_Packaging_December2018/images/twitter_logo_transparent.png?width=55&height=55&name=twitter_logo_transparent.png)](https://twitter.com/Ashtonne_pkg)      [![Youtube](https://www.ashtonne.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ashtonne_Packaging_December2018/images/youtube_2.png?width=55&height=55&name=youtube_2.png)](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvH14R6_JrMsTINzuWseni4dUfcHsJezO)      [![Pinterest](https://www.ashtonne.com/hs-fs/hubfs/pinterest-logo%202.png?width=89&name=pinterest-logo%202.png)](https://www.pinterest.com/ashtonne8775226937/)[![Instagram hi-res](https://www.ashtonne.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Instagram%20hi-res.png?width=93&name=Instagram%20hi-res.png)](https://www.instagram.com/ashtonnepackaging/) Digital Marketing Powered by Bryan Media and Bill Madl [![blue-seal-200-42-bbb-235829533 copy](https://www.ashtonne.com/hs-fs/hubfs/blue-seal-200-42-bbb-235829533%20copy.png?width=200&height=42&name=blue-seal-200-42-bbb-235829533%20copy.png)](https://www.bbb.org/us/oh/ashland/profile/packaging-design-and-development/ashtonne-packaging-inc-0272-235829533/#sealclick)   Copyright © 2018 Ashtonne Packaging. 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