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SFG Acquisition FAQs

Since it might not be doable for our location (Owensboro) to have a health clinic would IPC consider a partnership with the Healthpark, (affiliated with the hospital) so that employees may be able to join at a reduced rate. Also, would it be possible to have a walking path located on the property?

As I understand, Healthpark is – essentially – a health system-affiliated fitness center that also offers health screenings and support groups, as well as physical, occupational, and speech therapy. To make a determination with respect to any type of partnership, it would be critical to understand 1) what is being offered; 2) percentage of team members likely to use such services (and frequency of use); 3) benefits to the users and company; and 4) cost vs. value.

Regardless what we do with respect to an opportunity such as this, with increases in health care costs over the past 10 years, we need to make every effort to sharpen our focus on wellness initiatives that provide the best possible health outcomes for our team members. In many companies, as much as 80% of the costs of health care can be tied back to as few as 20% of covered individuals, with many of these health issues – such as heart disease, obesity, and diabetes, for example – truly “controllable” by the individual. As we look at our health care offerings for 2020, this will be an area of focus.

With respect to the question of a walking path on-site, I believe a far better – and safer – opportunity would be to look at “green spaces” already developed and in close proximity to the Owensboro facility. This would include English Park and Thompson-Berry Park, for example. Onsite walking paths would pose safety risks (due to vehicle traffic) and would not likely generate the usage required to make them economically viable.

Mark Berry, Vice President, People (HR, Safety, & Health Services)

Does IPC plan to continue relations with our workers union in 2020 when our contract is up? If so, will we see big changes in a positive direction? As of right now, we have no retirement and are interested in better insurance. There’s a rumor that other IPC factories insurance coverage is 90-10. Is that true and will we (the union) be offered the same insurance and retirement on the upcoming contract?

I want to apologize for the delayed response to this question. Since close on October 1, we’ve been running hard. Let me address your questions.

On your first question, we intend to continue relations with UFCW Local 227 just as SFG had previously and honor the terms of the current collective bargaining agreement.

As for the potential differences between facilities or the outcome of negotiations, I’d first say that it’s not unusual for different locations to have different terms and conditions of employment – either because of different histories, starting points, or job markets between the locations, varying priorities at those locations, or prior trade-offs that may have occurred at one location and not the other. As for what the future might hold, there’s – unfortunately – no way to know. In our current economy & business climate, there are simply too many “unknowns” – how the economy will be in 18 months, how the plant will be performing in 18 months, or how negotiations turn out. Regardless, you can rest assured that IPC will always negotiate in good faith.

I’d welcome the opportunity to speak with you directly about this or other questions. It’s a privilege to be part of our newly-combined company.

Mark Berry, Vice President, People (HR, Safety, & Health Services)

Can we get our W-2 documents early online?

Unfortunately, not. There are two reasons: timing and accessibility. With respect to timing, 2018 tax statements (W-2 form) for Owensboro team members require a certain amount of processing time. This allows for the company to summarize year-end wages and deductions, transmitting this information to the payroll administrator (ADP). With respect to accessibility, Owensboro’s current HR technology will not allow team members to access these documents online. You should expect to receive them as you have in the past (attached to your pay advice/stub).

Good news? We’re looking to replace Owensboro’s existing payroll/time/attendance system with a more contemporary system that will allow team members to access such documents online (as well as viewing pay information, checking paid time-off balances, requesting time off, and a host of other functions). If all goes as planned, this will occur later in 2019.

Mark Berry, VP People (HR, Safety, & Health Services)

With these new insurance card we received in the mail today does this mean our insurance is going to change soon? I believe we need a meeting as to what this change is all about if our insurance is not changing then we should not get new cards. When I receive a new card that tells me a change has been made and I should be made aware of the change.

Simple answer – it depends. If you are employed in Owensboro and are a team member not represented by UFCW Local 227, you’ve already been made aware of your 2019 benefit options, participated in the annual enrollment process, and are preparing to enjoy some new & improved benefits. However, if you are represented by UFCW Local 227, your benefits have not changed. You are being issued a new card because it’s the beginning of a new calendar year – and that’s what we do for our team members.

Quite simply: New cards = new year. If you are a member of Local 227, it means nothing more than that. In your question, you indicated a need for a meeting. If you’d like to meet to discuss (or to discuss via phone), please call me directly. My office number is 765.564.7209.

Happy New Year!

Mark Berry, Vice President, People (HR, Safety, & Health Services)

Do we (in Owensboro) have access to view our paystubs online?

Unfortunately, at this time, that capability is not available. However, we are in the process of evaluating vendors with the capability to do just this – and much more. Quincy Street is preparing to implement such as a system in January 2019. Delphi and Frankfort are on schedule to do the same, beginning in April 2019.

Increasingly, team members are looking for HR to provide more robust self-service capabilities. This would include not only the ability to view pay statements, but also to check time off balances, update personal information, request time off, and a host of other capabilities. In addition, more robust platforms provide a means to communicate with team members as well as such complete tasks as enrolling in benefits. The platform we’re implementing at Quincy Street, Delphi, and Frankfort will allow users to do all of these things – and more.

We are in discussions to extend these capabilities to our team members in

Mark Berry, Vice President, People (HR, Safety, and Health Services)

Does IPC plan on keeping the pension at SFG?

In attempting to address the question, I assume that the question is specifically about UFCW Local 227’s defined contribution plan. If that is the case, with the acquisition of SFG, we’ve committed to honor the terms of the current collective bargaining agreement, including continuation of benefits.

If I’ve not addressed your question, please feel free to contact me at mark.berry@inpac.com. I’d welcome the opportunity to discuss this further.

Mark Berry, Vice President, People (HR, Safety, and Health Services)

What are the current holidays observed by IPC? Will the current holidays observed by SFG change?

IPC’s current observed holidays are New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. In addition, there are two personal floating holidays and one public floating holiday (selected by the company).

It is – at this point – too early to tell. One of the projects we have underway is to look at this – as well as a number of other people-related policies. In the case of the holiday schedule, the key question is whether these should be the same or different across all facilities. Once that question is decided, we will be able to finalize and communicate. In terms of timing, our intent is to complete this work prior to the end of this calendar year – ideally, no later than mid-December.

Mark Berry, Vice President, People (HR, Safety, & Health Services)

Will IPC change the name from SFG to something else?

At this point, it is too early to know. After closing on October 1, we have begun the integration process, seeking to bring together SFG and IPC into a single company. That work has been underway for little more than a month. There’s much to be decided as that work moves forward, including how we will go to market as a new company.

Mark Berry, Vice President, People (HR, Safety, & Health Services)

Will IPC be looking at cutting overtime hours at the Owensboro plant? And cutting back on weekend work to allow for employees to have more family time and allow for preventive maintenance to be done?

Thanks so much for the question. Here are a few thoughts.

High overtime is generally due to one of a few issues: 1) more work than can be done without overtime; 2) less efficiency – due to equipment or product issues or team members with limited experience; 3) insufficient staffing; or 4) a combination of two or more of these. As a business, we want to have enough sales to optimize production at the plant and provide all team members with steady, predictable work hours. At the same time, we recognize that high overtime – especially when sustained for longer periods of time – isn’t productive or good for morale. Unfortunately, the seasonal nature of our businesses – whether at a processing facility such as Owensboro or a packing facility like Delphi – requires us to either work more overtime (with the team members we have) or hire more team members (knowing that we won’t have the work to maintain employment for some during the non-peak seasons – and will need to lay team members off) during this time of year. One way to – potentially – overcome this is to growth those product lines not affected by seasonal changes (or grow in areas where sales are higher in what are traditionally our slower months of the year).

Great question! Thanks so much for taking time to ask.

Mark Berry, VP, People (HR, Safety, & Health Services)

Is there any plans of expanding the plant and adding jobs or adding a new shift to the already existing plant?

Honestly, it’s too early to tell. What I can tell you is that we’re very excited about combining the two businesses. Doing so will allow us to provide product to a larger group of customers, provide opportunities to more of our team members, and provide greater value to our shareholders.

Thanks so much for taking the time to raise the question.

Mark Berry, Vice President, People (HR, Safety, & Health Services)

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