Arauco North America Blog

ARAUCO FORWARD - 9/5/25

Written by John Atkinson | September 5, 2025 at 3:33 PM

 

 

Employee Spotlight: Michael Smutny

Location: Grayling PB
Position: Value-Add Manager
Years with ARAUCO: 5

Meet Michael Smutny, our dedicated Value-Add Manager at Grayling PB, who’s been a vital part of the ARAUCO team since 2020. Michael leads the TFL Business, ensuring that every product is safely produced, meets quality standards, and is delivered on time. His role is deeply collaborative, supporting departments across Safety, Production, Maintenance, Quality, Logistics, Purchasing, and Sales.

Michael’s day starts early—arriving before shift change to review KPIs and attend meetings that help clear roadblocks for his team. From managing special orders to driving continuous improvement projects, he’s always looking ahead to keep the business aligned with future needs.

When asked what motivated him to join ARAUCO, Michael shared candidly:

“Short answer: I needed a job!”
He joined as an Automation Engineer and quickly became an integral part of the team.

What keeps him going?

“I enjoy the challenge and seeing all the pieces and people come together for a winning result. Each day is an opportunity to learn and grow!”

Some of Michael’s most memorable moments at ARAUCO happened during late-night call-ins to fix machines—followed by 1AM dinners with the maintenance crew or scraping plates into the early morning with the production team.

“It sounds crazy, but usually the toughest experiences bring you closer to your work-friends.”

Michael’s motivation is rooted in family. His wife, Cassie, and his parents, Bill and Julie, inspire him to stay ahead of the curve and prepare for whatever the future holds.

“They are awesome role models for me.”

His advice for newcomers?

“Don’t forget about the people who do the work. Treat them with respect and they’ll return it.
Don’t forget ‘Home’—the people who keep you going when business decisions don’t go your way.
Don’t ever think you’re above doing a certain task. Often, knowing the smallest task leads to a breakthrough.
Hard work pays off. Win the Day!”

Thank you, Michael, for your leadership, dedication, and the energy you bring to ARAUCO every day!

 

AUGUST SERVICE ANNIVERSARIES

We are excited to honor the dedication and hard work of our colleagues who celebrated service anniversaries this past July. Their commitment and contributions have been vital to our success, and we are deeply grateful for their continued efforts!

 

 

 

 

Know someone who would make a great addition to the ARAUCO Team? Browse some of our open roles below!

 

 

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