Crystal Capps started injection molder Par 4 Plastics Inc. of Marion, Ky., with her family in 1990 and helped bring it to the 200-employee business it is today. Her areas of expertise, as a seasoned veteran, include finance, sales, production control, materials and human resources.
"We started from scratch, so I had to do everything," the vice president of finance and materials said in her Women Breaking the Mold nomination survey. "Plastics was growing, and I wanted to grow with it."
She was nominated by her husband, Tim Capps, who is president of Par 4 Plastics and vice president of the Manufacturers Association for Plastics Processors board. Crystal Capps said she considers her husband to be a mentor, as well as her kids and each person on the Par 4 Plastics team.
"I love our work family. They all mentor me," she said.
Crystal Capps said her greatest achievement is providing for more than 200 families and growing the company from scratch — "seeing our team grow personally and professionally and developing long-term relationships with our customers, supplier partners and community."
Her biggest failure has been allowing investment with partners that do not align with the company culture. The teaching moment from this was, "Don't allow distractions."
Capps, who graduated from Murray State University in Kentucky and is an active member in MAPP, said her current work obstacle is growing the business in a competitive market while also attempting to make Par 4 Plastics woman-owned.
"My goal is to become majority owner of our family business. Women can own businesses, too," she said.
When she's not at Par 4 Plastics, Capps enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, reading, skiing, being at the lake or just hanging out at home.
Read Plastics News' viewpoint on Women Breaking the Mold, and find links to other profiles.