In 2021, Mauser Packaging Solutions began recruiting and hiring employees under the TN Visa Program to meet urgent hiring needs for technical talent. This program utilizes provisions under NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) which allows companies to hire professionals from Mexico and relocate them to the U.S. Through the TN Visa Program, potential candidates are recruited from Mexico and are supported by Mauser Packaging Solutions through an extensive visa and relocation process.
Sonia Lucena, a Mauser Packaging Solutions recruiter working on this project commented on the program saying, “Our TN Visa employees provide new ideas and insights to our facilities. The program provides a better quality of life for the TN Visa employees as well as our current employees and management. Additionally, employees have the advantage of living and working in another country and learning about a new culture. This program has changed their lives and their families in so many ways.”
Gary Alstott, President of North American Small Packaging commented on the impact of the program saying, “The TN Visa program has been a great success for the Small Packaging business since its inception. We have not only found very skilled employees, but our own employees have graciously welcomed the TN Visa candidates into our organization. We plan to expand the program going forward and appreciate the cooperation across the business.”
Since launching the TN Visa program, the company has added more than 19 maintenance mechanics and engineers across several participating facilities in North America. We asked a few of these employees to share their perspective on the TN Visa program and working for Mauser Packaging Solutions. Scroll through the profiles below to learn about these employees and what their experience as been like so far.
What attracted you to Mauser Packaging Solutions?
The recycling sector is a world of its own and learning new skills on the subject meant new challenges and in turn developing my skills. The company stands out for being transnational, for being one of the most important in the recycling sector, and for taking interest in being socially responsible.
El sector del reciclado es un mundo y aprender nuevas habilidades sobre el tema, estos significaban nuevos retos y a su vez desarrollar mis habilidades; La empresa destaca por ser transnacional y ser una de las más importantes en el tema de reciclado y preocuparse por ser socialmente responsable.
What has been your experience and interaction with other employees at your location?
I feel close to my work team since they have supported me in everything. This has meant that I can give my points of view and can contribute new ideas in the workplace. Both communication and empathy from the different areas have made me feel at home.
Me siento identificado con mi equipo de trabajo ya que me han apoyado en todo esto ha implicado que pueda dar mis puntos de vista y poder aportar nuevas idas en el centro de trabajo, tanto la comunicación como la empatía de las diferentes áreas han hecho que me sienta como en casa.
How would you describe your experience working at Mauser Packaging Solutions specifically related to your job responsibilities and working conditions?
My experience has been excellent during these months that I have been working since my responsibilities have changed according to my learning curve, and in turn I have been delegated new responsibilities in which I can give added value. They also have provided me with the necessary equipment to be able to carry out the activities correctly.
Mi experiencia ha sido excelente estos meses que he laborado ya que mis responsabilidades han cambiado de acuerdo con mi curva de aprendizaje y a su vez me han delegado nuevas responsabilidades en las cuales puedo dar valor agregado. Además de brindarme el equipo necesario para poder llevar a cabo correctamente las actividades.
What are some challenges, either personal or professional, you have faced relocating to a new country for employment? Has Mauser Packaging Solutions as a company or through individuals been helpful in overcoming any of those challenges? If so, how?
The culture shock, lifestyle, and language reinforcement. Yes, the company supported me in many areas and one of them was taking an English course to improve my skills and another support was providing me an American culture course.
El choque de culturas, el estilo de vida y el reforzamiento del idioma. Si la empresa me apoyo en muchas circunstancias y una de ellas es la toma de un curso de inglés para mejorar mis habilidades y otro apoyo fue la impartición de un curso de cultura americana.
Where would you like to see yourself in 3-5 years?
I see myself as a professionally accomplished person, having new work and personal challenges to continue learning and contributing my knowledge and new strategies to support the company.
Yo me veo como una persona realizada profesionalmente, teniendo nuevos retos laborales y personales para seguir aprendiendo y aportando mi conocimiento y nuevas estrategias que puedan apoyar a la empresa.
How do you think your specific skills and insights are a benefit to Mauser Packaging Solutions?
Because I am a responsible person and I like to face new challenges, bring new ideas, and reinforce the knowledge and practice that I have acquired. When acquiring knowledge, it takes practice to develop skills, however sometimes during the process some knowledge is forgotten. So, feedback and constant training is needed to continue learning the most current knowledge, reviewing what’s forgotten, and continuing to put it into practice, thus making my contributions to new projects.
Porque soy una persona responsable y me gusta enfrentarme a nuevos retos, traer nuevas ideas y reforzar los conocimientos y la práctica que eh adquirido, al adquirir conocimientos se requiere de la práctica para desarrollar habilidades, sin embargo a veces durante el proceso ciertos conocimientos son olvidados por lo que se requiere retroalimentación y constantes capacitaciones para seguir adquiriendo los conocimientos más actuales, repasar lo olvidado y seguirlo poniendo en práctica, logrando así la aportación de nuevos proyectos.
Would you recommend employment with Mauser Packaging Solutions through a TN Visa to others?
Without a doubt, since it is a company with a good work environment that supports the development of its employees. The people in charge of this great project are attentive and supportive. Without a doubt this is a good way to attract new talent.
Sin duda alguna, ya que es una empresa con buen ambiente laboral y que apoya al desarrollo de sus empleados, las personas a cargo de este gran proyecto son atentas y apoyan, no cabe duda que es una buena forma de atraer nuevo talento humano.
Comments from Facility Leadership
What has been your experience having Roberto as an employee in your facility?
Roberto was hired to add value to our “Maintenance Excellence Strategy”. Since the beginning we have been very collaborative, supportive and adaptative. We have a cohesive leadership team and he has shown strong capacity to deliver results in the short term. We are facilitating his learning curve and identifying how his strength can contribute to make the team stronger.
Comments from Facility Leadership
Are there ways this employee has made a direct impact on production in your facility?
Absolutely! He arrived in the middle of CMMS implementation and when he arrived we had 60 Items in the system. Now we have over 700 items in the system. Parts are perfectly organized by corridor and corridors are appropriately identified. Shelves are labeled and organized. Every item has a label with QR code and brief description in order to facilitate the searching. tems are set in the system with minimum, maximum and reorder point. In general, that has had a tremendous impact on the business based downtime reduction, getting proper inventory parts and overall control value on inventory.
What attracted you to Mauser Packaging Solutions?
The growth that the company has in the coming years, in addition, the strong investment in modernization of the plant.
El crecimiento que tiene la empresa en los proximos años, ademas, la fuerte inversion en modernizacion de la planta.
How would you describe your experience and interactions with the Mauser recruiters and leaders involved in your hiring, visa, and relocation process?
The company offers you all the facilities to make your move as simple as possible, the recruiters are always attentive to your needs.
La empresa te brinda todas la facilidades para hacer de tu movimiento lo mas sencillo posible, los reclutadores siempre atentos a tus necesidades.
How would you describe your experience working at Mauser Packaging Solutions specifically related to your job responsibilities and working conditions?
I love working at the Mauser Seattle plant, a great work environment and a very united team. I have autonomy in my work and clear goals to jointly achieve the objectives of the site.
Me encanta trabajar en Mauser planta Seattle, un gran ambiente de trabajo y un equipo muy unido, tengo autonomia en mis labores y metas claras para en conjunto lograr los objetivos del sitio.
How would you describe your experience and interaction with both facility leaders and other employees?
A very professional, friendly and clear relationship about the needs and what is expected of me as a maintenance manager. All the employees received me very warmly, always willing to support me inside and outside of work.
Una relacion muy profesional, amable y clara acerca de las necesidades y lo que esperan de mi como gerente de mantenimiento. Todos los empleados me recibieron muy calidamente, siempre dispuestos a apoyarme dentro y fuera del trabajo.
What are some challenges, either personal or professional, you have faced relocating to a new country for employment?
The main one is, in my opinion, the change of culture, professionally it is to adapt to the labor norms of the employees of the site.
El principal es , a mi parecer, siempre el cambio de cultura en cuanto a lo personal, en lo profesional es adaptarse a las normas laborales de los empleados del sitio.
How do you think your specific skills and insights are a benefit to Mauser Packaging Solutions?
Thanks to my previous experience, we have been able to implement substantial improvements in the area of health and safety for employees, reduce machine failures and maintain production at optimal levels.
Gracias a experiencias previas propias hemos podido implementar mejorar sustanciales en el area de seguridad y salud para los empleados, reducir los fallos de las maquinarias y mantener la produccion en niveles optimos.
Where would you like to see yourself in 3-5 years?
I see myself within Mauser playing a support role in implementation of improvements and projects related to machinery for multiple sites.
Me veo dentro de Mauser desempeñando un rol de soporte en implementacion de mejoras y proyectos relacionados con maquinaria para multiples sitios.
Would you recommend employment with Mauser Packaging Solutions through a TN Visa to others?
Totally, it is a great opportunity to live the experience of working outside our countries of origin and what better than with a company that cares about the professional, giving us the necessary facilities and guidance to establish ourselves in a new country.
Totalmente, es una gran oportunidad el vivir la experiencia de laborar fuera de nuestros paises de origen y que mejor con una empresa que se preocupa por el profesionista, dandonos las facilidades necesarias y guia para establecernos en un nuevo pais.
What attracted you to Mauser Packaging Solutions?
Mauser Packaging Solutions is a corporation with a global presence which makes it an excellent job opportunity for any professional.
Mauser Packaging Solutions es un corporativo con presencia global lo cual hace que sea una excelente oportunidad de trabajo para cualquier profesionista.
How would you describe your experience working at Mauser Packaging Solutions specifically related to your job responsibilities and working conditions?
A great experience since the company offers the best working conditions for employees to carry out the assigned work safely and they are always attentive to the daily needs of each employee.
Una gran experiencia ya que la Empresa ofrece las mejores condiciones laborales para que los empleados llevemos a cabo el trabajo asignado de manera segura y siempre están atentos a las necesidades diarias de cada empleado.
What has been your experience and interaction with other employees at your location?
It has been a very good experience to be able to interact with my colleagues since I have adapted to the work rhythm working as a team to achieve the company’s goals.
Ha sido una muy buena experiencia el poder interactuar con mis compañeros ya que me he acoplado al ritmo de trabajo trabajando en equipo para poder lograr las metas de la empresa.
Where would you like to see yourself in 3-5 years?
I see myself in a leadership position in the company at the local or regional level.
Me visualizo en una posición de liderazgo en la empresa a nivel local o regional.
How do you think your specific skills and insights are a benefit to Mauser Packaging Solutions?
I know that having work experience in various areas and companies will allow me to suggest/implement ideas or improvements to be able to support the company in achieving its objectives.
Sé que el contar con experiencia laboral en varias áreas y empresas me permitirá poder sugerir/aplicar ideas o mejoras para poder apoyar a la empresa en el logro de sus objetivos.
How do you think Mauser Packaging Solutions will be able to help you further develop your skills and grow professionally?
Mauser Packaging Solutions offers a great development opportunity for every employee as it has different injection processes and secondary processes that involve continuous learning/personnel training which makes us grow professionally day by day.
Mauser Packaging Solutions es una gran oportunidad de desarrollo para cada empleado ya que cuenta con diferentes procesos de inyección y procesos secundarios que implican el contínuo aprendizaje/entrenamiento personal lo cual nos hace crecer profesionalmente día a día.
Comments from Facility Leadership
What has been your experience having Miguel as an employee in your facility?
Miguel is a good and dedicated employee. Absorbing all he can and learning our business and processes. He also brings experience from other industries.
Are there ways this employee has made a direct impact on production in your facility?
Yes, working on cycle time reduction on all IM Machines.
What attracted you to Mauser Packaging Solutions?
The sustainability culture that Mauser embraces. Nowadays this is very important to care about our world environment and I believe Mauser is really doing something about it.
How would you describe your experience working at Mauser Packaging Solutions specifically related to your job responsibilities and working conditions?
Every day a challenge pops out. It is always busy and not boring at all. There are a lot of potential good things to implement, both technologically and administrative. Sometimes I have my hands full due to the plant needs.
How would you describe your experience and interaction with both facility leaders and other employees?
The experience dealing with my Plant Manager has been good. Sometimes I have felt the language barrier but my manager has been very patient so we can overcome it.
The experience with other employees has been awesome. There is a very friendly work environment between the managing team. I really like it.
What are some challenges, either personal or professional, you have faced relocating to a new country for employment? Has Mauser Packaging Solutions as a company or through individuals been helpful in overcoming any of those challenges? If so, how?
My main challenge has been leading my team because of the U.S. work culture really differs from Mexico's. I'm still learning about it and managing to gain my team to trust me.
Where would you like to see yourself in 3-5 years?
I see myself in a corporate position and if it is in a maintenance aligned position that would be awesome.
How do you think your specific skills and insights are a benefit to Mauser Packaging Solutions?
Because I have automation insight and having worked in an automotive standard, I'm always trying to look for improvements either for processes or handwork.
Would you recommend employment with Mauser Packaging Solutions through a TN Visa to others?
Totally, in fact I already did. I feel Mauser is a very good company to work for.
What attracted you to Mauser Packaging Solutions? What made you interested in pursuing employment in the United States under a TN Visa?
The opportunity to grow professionally. A better quality of life and better job opportunity.
La oportunidad de crecer profesionalmente. Una mejor calidad de vida y mejor oportunidad laboral.
How do you think your specific skills and insights are a benefit to Mauser Packaging Solutions?
For continuous improvement of the company's production processes, since I have shared my knowledge and skills with my co-workers and it has been possible to improve the production processes in the shift where I am currently working.
Para mejora continua de los procesos productivos de la compañía, ya que mis conocimientos y habilidades las comparto con mis compañeros de trabajo y se ha logrado mejorar los procesos de producción en el turno donde actualmente laboro.
Where would you like to see yourself in 3-5 years?
In this company performing a supervisory or engineering role.
En esta compañía desempeñando un rol supervisor o ingeniero.
Would you recommend employment with Mauser Packaging Solutions through a TN Visa to others?
Definitely, since it is a very good company to work for and the opportunities it provides are within reach of anyone with the right attitude and experience for the job.
Definitivamente, ya que es una muy buena compañía para trabajar y las oportunidades que brinda están al alcance de cualquier persona con la actitud y la experiencia para el trabajo.
How would you describe your experience working at Mauser Packaging Solutions specifically related to your job responsibilities and working conditions?
I believe that in the almost 3 months that I have been with the company, it has been an experience of much growth as I have been adapting to the system and work team.
Considero que en los casi 3 meses que llevo en la compañía ha sido una experiencia de mucho crecimiento al irme adaptando al sistema y equipo de trabajo
How would you describe your experience and interaction with both facility leaders other employees at your location?
I consider it to have been a very good experience to see that everyone has accepted me so wonderfully and has helped me adapt quickly. The whole team has helped me to adapt.
Considero que ha sido una experiencia muy buena al ver que todos me han recibido de una excelente manera y me han ayudado a adaptarme rápidamente. Todo el equipo de trabajo me han ayudado a adaptarme.
What are some challenges, either personal or professional, you have faced relocating to a new country for employment?
Mainly the challenge of knowing more about place and customs. Also the factor of not having family or friends nearby. It was also a challenge to get an apartment and a car as I had no credit history.
Principalmente el desafío de conocer más sobre lugar y las costumbres También el factor de no tener familia o amigos cerca, considero que también fue un desafío el conseguir un departamento y un automóvil ya que no contaba con historial crediticio
Has Mauser Packaging Solutions as a company or through individuals been helpful in overcoming any of those challenges? If so, how?
Most of the co-workers have been very helpful as they have supported me with advice on certain procedures and helped with quite a few things.
La mayoría de los compañeros del trabajo han sido mucho de ayuda ya que ellos me han apoyado aconsejándome para ciertos trámites y para ayudarme con bastantes cosas.
How do you think your specific skills and insights are a benefit to Mauser Packaging Solutions?
Helping the company with new ideas and improvements with which to improve processes making them safer and more reliable.
Ayudando a la compañía con nuevas ideas y mejoras con las cuales mejorar los procesos haciéndolos más seguros y confiables.
Would you recommend employment with Mauser Packaging Solutions through a TN Visa to others?
Yes, I would recommend it, as I consider it an excellent opportunity for personal and professional growth.
Si lo recomendaría, ya que considero que es una excelente oportunidad de crecimiento personal y profesional.
Comments from Facility Leadership
What has been your experience having Rogelio as an employee in your facility?
Having Rogelio has been a big addition to our facility, not only that he is very knowledgeable, but he is also very pleasant, smart, and well educated.
Are there ways this employee has made a direct impact on production in your facility (i.e. improving maintenance, new ideas)?
Being that he is an Electrical Engineer, he has made improvements on the lighting at our facility which has help tremendously.
Comments from Facility Leadership
Based on your perception, how has this employee been received by other employees at your facility?
He has been very well accepted by all the employees, and they all speak highly of him.
Do you see the TN Visa program as serving the organization’s strategy by hiring someone through the TN Visa program and at the same time being a support to the plants with their traditional new hire process?
Yes, I believe that the TN Visa Program is a wonderful idea, it gives us an opportunity to see that we have a choice to hire not only good people in the US but also outside of the country.