Jerry Butler, previously COO of ICS and Project Manager in the Industrial Solutions business unit, is formally retiring after more than 50 years in the reconditioning industry. In December 2020, Dave Vergo, Industrial Solutions President, presented Butler with a lifetime achievement award in recognition of his significant and careerlong contributions to the reconditioning industry.
“Jerry has been a significant mentor to many people in the business over the years. He has imparted his wealth of industry knowledge to Presidents, VPS, and Facility Managers across the reconditioning industry,” said Dave Vergo, Industrial Solutions President.
Upon receiving the lifetime achievement award Butler commented, “I appreciate receiving this award and I am humbled. What I will miss most is working side by side with some of the hardest working, most creative individuals, that are dedicated to this industry, working together with individuals who have pioneered the process equipment we have in our facilities today.”
Butler began his career during high school working at his family’s business, B&F Copperage Inc., a Philadelphia area container reconditioning firm. Following his graduation from Lycoming College, Butler joined B&F Cooperage full time, serving as Operations Manager. In 1986, he joined Metro Enterprises as a plant manager where he built his first open head plant at the age for 28.
In 1989, Butler formed BP Electro Mechanical Company, an engineering services firm working with manufacturing companies. Returning to the drum industry in 1991, he joined Container Management Services of Hayward, California and was appointed Director of Manufacturing with responsibility for both new drum manufacturing and drum reconditioning operations. In 1995, Butler joined Drum Service Co. of Florida, Zellwood, Florida, as Operations Manager. In September 1996, he was appointed Vice President – Operations, with responsibility for all areas of production, transportation and maintenance. After the formation of PalEx Container Systems (now IFCO Industrial Container Systems) in February 1998, Butler was named Eastern Regional Manager. In September 2005, he was appointed to COO of Industrial Container Services which became part of Mauser Packaging Solutions in 2018. Since 2018, Butler has stepped back from primary operation of the business and focused on the design, build and instillation of automation equipment for the company.
Over the last 22 years of his career, Butler participated in nine ownership transactions and acquisitions of over 20 family businesses. Butler has been a member of the Reusable Industrial Packaging Association for 20+ years, has been a board member for 15+ years and has held the position of Treasury or Vice Chairman for almost 10 years.
In retirement, Butler is looking forward to traveling with his wife of 41 years in their RV, spending time with their children and grandchildren, fishing as much as possible and doing work around everyone’s homes.