Executives explored topics including impact inclusion (diversity and gender equality), hiring and retention efforts, how the pandemic’s shift to remote work has affected recruitment and the importance of supporting each other.

The company was one of the first businesses in the U.S. to offer customized packaging solutions for consumer-packaged goods products and single-serve/single-use items.

NJMVP will begin accepting pre-qualification applications Dec. 15 for the $20 million initiative, which will provide grants to help Garden State manufacturers purchase equipment.

According to the Camden-based automaker, the notice applies to certain 2019-2022 model years of the SUV.

The project – the largest single offshore wind project awarded in New Jersey and the third largest in the country – will be located 10 to 20 miles off the coast of Atlantic City.

The Newark-based startup development program for pre-seed hard tech companies is one of five participating in the initiative.

The transaction would be the second within a year for the East Rutherford-based company, following its addition of Q1 Scientific.

The Illinois-based distributor of specialty building materials also opened locations in the past two years in Paterson and Newark.

Michael Hays has "a strong track record of expansion, coupled with a reputation for building a world-class packaging manufacturing group,” said current President Maurice Barakat, who will take on the roles of executive chairman and CEO.

After seeing 70% growth in its business since 2019, the company invested $18 million to grow the facility by 100,000 square feet to keep up with increasing demand.

Ping Gencianeo, who has been with the Jersey City-based manufacturer for 25 years, will be responsible for its environmental, social and governance initiatives.

The pandemic revealed just how crucial the sometimes-underappreciated sector is, laying bare its value as well as supply chain vulnerabilities.