This is an article published in the Tennessean Newspaper by DESSISLAVA YANKOVA/Staff • February 1, 2008
Nashville Wraps in Hendersonville has started a new, environmentally friendly product line, but for one of the county’s largest packaging wholesalers, recycling is more than an objective.
In fact, paper recovery is what got the company started more than 30 years ago.Robert Meadows, a clothing salesman in the textile industry, noticed that tons of paper used to stamp designs on fabrics went unused.
“They were just throwing away these rolls of beautiful designs,” said Buffie Baril, Nashville Wraps’ internet marketing coordinator.
Meadows and son Robby started selling the byproduct to local gift shops as wrapping paper. After buyers asked for bows and boxes, the Meadows gradually expanded their catalog to offer an abundance of gift and gourmet packing products.
Nashville Wraps now works with customers across the country and is slowly entering the international market. Quick shipping, quality products and customer service have made it a lead supplier of main-street stores in Sumner County.
“We’re very customer-oriented,” said Elise Boucher, who works in the accounting department.
“They bend over backward for the customer,” said Pam Kenney, floor designer and shop manager at Perkins Drugs & Gift Shoppe in Gallatin. “They ship immediately, and we’ve never had any problems with them,”
Perkins, one of Nashville Wraps’ most veteran area buyers, picked the wholesaler because of proximity. That’s what recently attracted The Red Tulip in Gallatin as well.
“We chose them because they are local,” Rachel Mullins, The Red Tulip’s owner said. “We order it today, and we get it tomorrow.”
Quick shipping is one of Nashville Wraps’ main assets, Baril said.
“Out goal is to ship within 24 hours of the order,” she said. “We stock what we sell, unlike many companies that don’t inventory products.”
With two warehouses in Hendersonville and Goodlettsville, the wholesaler offers anything from bags to ribbons to box fillers, but Baril said several design and custom packaging collections set Nashville Wraps apart.
“These are unique bags that they can’t buy anywhere else.”
A designer on staff researches the latest trends to create collections such as “Cherry Blossom,” “Chocolate Sprinkles” and “Zebra.”
The company recently launched a series of new products manufactured from recycled plastic or paper. The venture is one of many projects Nashville Wraps’ has initiated over the years to stay green.
“More people ask about recycled packaging, and we want to give our customers options,” Baril said.
The company also recycles old catalogues, cardboard, plastics, office paper, newspaper and aluminum cans while the building runs on energy-efficient electricity.
Evident by its name, the company originally started in Nashville. After it consecutively outgrew its building there and another in Madison, it moved to Hendersonville, which is its owner’s hometown.
Centrally located for employees and shipment trucks, Baril said the site meets the business’ needs. “It’s a perfect place for the company.”
CORPORATE CITIZEN
Nashville Wraps has long been providing financial help to organizations in Sumner County.
In 2007, employees raised $22,000 for the Hendersonville Relay For Life, receiving several awards for their effort. The goal for 2008 is to raise another $25,000.
Several employees have first-hand experiences with cancer, including company president Chuck Wilson who is currently battling a rare type of brain cancer.
“For us Relay For Life is almost a year-round activity,” Wilson said in a press release.
The company has also supported Gallatin Christian Association for the Relief of Economic Suffering (CARES) and other charities.
