Generations of Craft
By ISC Barrels
As families begin making plans to gather this holiday season, we’re reminded of the generations of craft that shape our cooperages and mills, with decades of knowledge and skill passed down and strengthened by families who work side by side. Across our sites, generations have shared the same craft, the same pride, and often the same last name. And while many family ties are woven throughout ISC, the long-standing service of two families offers a glimpse into the tradition they help carry forward.
At our Lebanon, Missouri cooperage, father and son duo Paul and Phillip Payne share more than a last name, they share a deep respect for the craft. Paul joined ISC 33 years ago in a clean-up position and is now one of our esteemed operators in our stave finish department. His son Phillip followed in his footsteps nine years ago when he accepted a job at Missouri Cooperage working part-time his senior year of high school in the same clean-up position that his dad did back in 1992. For nearly a decade, Phillip has worked to master various jobs of barrel assembly and currently assists wherever needed. He was even cross trained on the jointer wheel by his dad when he first came onboard full-time and noted that, “seeing his dad's dedication has been a huge inspiration to him over the years.”
But woodworking didn’t start in the Payne family with Paul. Paul’s grandfather and his father, Jack and Paul Sr., along with his uncle Wayne and aunt Ruth, also worked at Missouri Cooperage- making Paul and Phillip 3rd and 4th generation coopers. Paul shared that he loves to see the family tradition alive and well, “There’s something special about seeing your son take pride in the same work you’ve dedicated your life to and continue the family legacy.”
L to R: Paul Payne and Phillip Payne
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Over in Lebanon, Kentucky, father-son team John and Christian Mealey bring their own family touch to the art of barrel-making. John has been with ISC for 35 years and now serves as Quality Manager, while Christian joined the team three years ago as an electrician. John has seen the industry evolve dramatically over the years and is proud that his son’s skillset will help drive its continued advancement.
As for Christian, he admires his father’s depth of knowledge and says that in his early days, he often leaned on John to better understand why our wood goes through so many processes. “Asking my dad- the ‘wood guru’- questions about wood shape, thickness, hardness, and quality control specifications helped me troubleshoot and perform my job at a higher level.” He adds that Thanksgiving is an especially meaningful time to be working alongside family. “I get to show off my latest wild turkey harvest in the form of turkey nuggets!”
L to R: Christian Mealey and John Mealey ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
From seasoned hands to the next generation, our family ties are part of what makes every ISC barrel exceptional. Theses combined years of experience remind us that each barrel carries decades of care and craftsmanship. This Thanksgiving, we’re grateful for the generations of dedication and skill that shape our barrels.