A new generation is officially on board at Dordan Manufacturing Co. Inc., a Woodstock, Ill.-based custom thermoforming company. Julian Slavin, the grandson of Dordan CEO and President Daniel Slavin, has joined the company.
"I am proud that at his young age he thinks enough of the company and the culture and wants to continue it," Daniel Slavin said in a news release. "What Julian has brought is an aggression with regards to his motivation for the growth of the company. By his performance and attitude, he is reinvigorating multiple facets of company."
Julian Slavin started working for the company in the factory part time, then moved into quality control in 2017. Before the company would hire him long-term, Daniel Slavin required his grandson to earn a college degree, which Slavin completed in 2024.
By bringing in a fourth generation, Dordan sees a new set of both challenges and opportunities. The company notices a new dynamic shift happen as new personalities emerge, but it still can maintain professionalism and productivity.
Julian Slavin's father, Aric Slavin, works at the company as the general manager. He started a similar way, from the factory floor working his way up. Aric Slavin sees his son working at Dordan as a challenge.
"When I began my career at Dordan, I didn't fully understand the commitment required," Aric Slavin said in a news release. "I had reservations about Julian coming to work at Dordan because being in his position 25 years ago, I didn't realize what the commitment to the family business really meant — you must be all-in all the time."
The company was founded by Edwin Slavin. He retired shortly after his son, Daniel, took over.
"New talented people are needed for the continuation of the family business. Just because they're family, doesn't mean they're good for the company," Daniel Slavin said.
Julian Slavin said he wants to work in every department at Dordan to know more about the company and better understand how it operates.
"I've always loved Dordan and I'm excited to grow my skills to be a valuable addition to the family company," he said. "I hope I can meet my dad's and Pa's high expectations and show them my aptitude through doing, not saying."