Mack Long inherited Piedmont Disposal and Recycling in 2019 at age 22, after his father passed away from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Thrust into a leadership role by circumstance, he didn’t have a lot of opportunity to think about becoming part of the Winston-Salem, North Carolina-area business. But with the growth of the portable restroom business, now standing at 550 units, he’s become more attuned to the need to attract younger workers to the field.
Many of Piedmont’s employees have been with the company for more than 15 years, and building a similar new crop of seasoned employees before the older generation retires has become a priority. He believes part of the answer begins with delivering a message to students about rewarding careers that don’t require extensive post-secondary education.
“Society has told us that you need to go to college, and get a degree,” Long says. “But not everybody is cut out for post-secondary school. You can learn a trade, become a plumber, become a welder, or a truck driver. The world needs those skills and you can be well paid and take pride in what you do.”
But the portable restroom industry also needs to do its part to attract potential young employees by working harder to overcome the misconception that portable restroom work is “dirty and nasty,” Long says. Individual companies can help move the dial for younger people by stressing their professionalism.
“When I see outdated equipment on the road, all kinds of mismatched restrooms and a driver in dirty jeans, it conveys a message about the entire industry,” he says. “Piedmont Disposal offers a fleet of new, clean, branded trucks, company uniforms and matching standard portable restrooms. That promotes a professional image to potential employees.”
An extensive training period ensures new hires are well-suited for the job, meet the company’s high standards and understand the company’s work culture. Introducing workers to events such as the WWETT Show and the PSAI Annual Convention and Trade Show further cement that sense of professionalism.
“Nobody’s perfect,” Long says. “But if someone can pull their weight, step up to the plate and excel in their career, we have a strong indication that they‘ll convey the sense of professionalism that will attract other young people to the industry.”
To learn more about Piedmont Disposal and Recycling, read the profile story in the February issue of PRO.
