The first CEO of Seaman Paper who is not part of the company’s founding family, Winterhalter has helped ensure the 79-year-old paper manufacturer remains on the cutting edge. The firm operates six facilities in Massachusetts and has expanded globally, with operations everywhere from Vietnam to Italy. Seaman expanded in December with its acquisition of German paper firm Julius Glatz GmbH.
With Winterhalter in charge, Seaman has continued to focus on creating a more sustainable future via new products like SeaStretch, a paper-based stretch wrap which can be used to wrap shipping pallets, helping eliminate the use of single-use, unrecyclable plastics. The company’s commitment to sustainability has allowed it to be named a member of the 1% For The Planet sustainability initiative and resulted in Seaman Paper being recognized by the American Forest & Paper Association with its sustainability award in 2023.
While the firm keeps rolling out innovative projects, Winterhalter helps ensure Seaman Paper has a positive impact on the community that goes beyond economics. These efforts include everything from helping the Town of Orange pay for a new water tank via a $790,000 donation to its annual donation to local schools involving more than 100 supply-filled backpacks.
Winterhalter takes pride in mentoring future business leaders, a task he’s had great success in: Five of his previous direct reports now lead other organizations as presidents or CEOs.
Eric Casey is the managing editor at Worcester Business Journal, who primarily covers the manufacturing and real estate industries.
