Passion for the Business

One thing is certain, TLMI is loaded with industry leaders, people who have a passion for the tag and label industry and who, in many cases, have devoted their lives to it. They have other qualities in common, too—entrepreneurial spirit, strength of character, and uncompromising work ethic—just to name a few.

Ken Kidd, recently retired co-CEO of WS Packaging Inc., certainly fits this description. TLMI's 2000 Converter of the Year, Terry Fulwiler, who collaborated with Kidd to form one of the largest tag and label companies in North America, says that he could be a "poster boy" for TLMI. "Ken is the ideal type of member—he's run a company, created jobs, contributed to meetings and committees," he says. "He has devoted his life to the label industry." And maybe most noteworthy, Fulwiler calls him "one of the all-around nice people in the world."

Frank Gerace, the 2008 Converter of the Year recipient, describes Kidd as a quiet leader who has been steadfast in his support of the TLMI. "TLMI has no greater advocate," he says. "Ken has the gift of 'encouragement' and always has a positive, enthusiastic, and upbeat attitude regarding life, business, and reality. I can think of no one who better deserves or better epitomizes the qualities and values we ascribe to Converter of the Year than Ken Kidd."

Roots in the heartland

Ken Kidd's story is an American success story—in many ways typifying what is great about our country. He was born and raised in the Cincinnati area, the oldest of four children with two brothers and a sister. His work ethic and family values were learned from his parents—his mother worked for more than 30 years, while his father worked on farms and in factories.

Kidd spent many summers working on his grandparents' farm in Kentucky. "I learned what real work was—a good conservative-minded approach to work," he says.

Upon graduating from high school, he attended night classes at a local college for one year. Two early jobs helped prep him for his future success. He worked in the savings and loan business doing general work that helped him develop his skills working with people. He also worked for a small label company in the Cincinnati area, getting his feet wet in the industry. It was here that he got an early education in the business. He did just about everything—starting out in shipping and packaging, learning to run a printing press, and working in the office ordering materials and planning jobs.

It wasn't long however, before Kidd decided to strike out in his own business. He and three partners—Tom Braig and Earl and Jim Gettelfinger—started a label printing company, Superior Tape & Label, in late 1970.

Pooling all of their individual savings, they purchased a new 3-color, 6-inch CI press, installed it in a rented 1,200 sq. ft. garage, and then decided to look for some orders. In what would obviously turn into a multi-million dollar industry giant, the first order was for address labels for Kidd's dentist.

It was during this time, with everything on the line, that Kidd developed his passion for the industry. As with many small business owners, he did just about everything that was required—from CEO to operations and sales.

Kidd points to a key move they made at the outset that was instrumental in the future success of the company. "We employed the services of professional advisors—an attorney and an accountant. Michael Burke, our attorney, was more like a fifth partner. He was a life-long friend and was with us for more than 30 years."

With its low overhead, and "good, hard working, dedicated people," the company's business started to ramp up. After two years, the company moved into a 5,000 sq. ft. facility and after an additional four years, it expanded to 11,000 sq. ft. By this time, the company had four presses and it continued to do what had become the company's signature business—dairy, juice, and food labeling supporting the tri-state region of Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio.

It was also during the mid-1970s that the company achieved two key milestones that Kidd says made a big impact on the company's success. It expanded to provide label application equipment and become a one-stop shop for its customers. This also was the impetus for a name change for the company, to Superior Label Systems. The company also developed an in-line film lamination process, called Supergard, that allowed it to provide an economical solution for its customers.

The business grew steadily during the 1980s and 1990s, starting in 1980 with a move to a new 25,000 sq. ft. facility in Mason, Ohio. In 1987, it started up a greenfield site in Dallas, followed by an additional location in Phoenix, Ariz. in 1995. These locations supplied customers in those regions with primary labels, which by this time included virtually all types of labels including coupons and screen printing. By the end of the 1990s, Superior Label Systems had sales of about $50 million, more than 350 employees at four plants, an outside board of directors, and a private-equity partner.

Kidd describes his management style as hands-on and operationally oriented, with a sincere respect for people being at the core. He also places a high value on a sense of humor. "It's important in life to be able to laugh—at times, at yourself," he says. He put this into practice at Superior Label Systems with "Ken's Korny Kwips," a regular feature in the company newsletter. "And trust me, it was corny," he adds.

Big, bigger, …

With his partners about ready to retire, Kidd was ready to take his company to the next plateau. He had met Fulwiler, who was CEO of Wisconsin Label Corp., around 1990 soon after he had joined TLMI. "We established a good relationship right from the start," recalls Kidd. "Although we were competitors, we discovered over time, that we had a similar vision for the future of our companies."

The result was the merger of the two companies in October 2000 to form WS Packaging Group, Inc. With about $150 million in sales and nine plants, WS Packaging became one of the largest privately-owned tag and label manufacturers in North America. "As co-CEOs, we always had a good understanding," says Kidd. "Terry was the visionary—a real leader—and a friend who happened to be a lot smarter than me. We complemented each other in our leadership styles."

"The combination of Superior Label and Wisconsin Label to form WS Packaging marked a milestone for the North American label industry," says Gerace. "It demonstrated the potential and capacity of the label industry to accommodate very large multi-regional converters."

Although WS Packaging started big, it got bigger with a relatively quick succession of acquisitions. Between 2001 and the end of 2007, nine companies were brought into the fold, and Kidd played a major role in the integration work.

"Ken was instrumental regarding the growth and success of WS Packaging," says Gerace. "He is a leader in industry consolidation and innovation, and built one of the premier label companies in the U.S."

Today, WS Packaging has 18 manufacturing plants and supplies pressure-sensitive, in-mold, shrink, extended, and glue-applied labeling, along with label application equipment, flexible packaging, folding cartons, and signage. When Kidd started Superior Tape & Label, the company had exactly $0 in sales on the books. WS Packaging today, has more than $400 million in sales. "Who would've 'thunk' it?" he kwips.

The association

Kidd joined TLMI in 1989 and credits the association with providing much of the learning that he applied for his company's success. "I learned about Lean and Six Sigma, and saw that we had to change what we were doing to drive cost reductions. I got a great education about business and this industry through networking and 'rubbing elbows' with industry leaders. Joining TLMI was the smartest thing I ever did and I've made many wonderful friends," he adds.

During his years with TLMI, Kidd played an active role, because as he states, "Being involved with TLMI and working on committees allows you to give back to the industry." He served on several committees, including environmental and membership, and served a term on the Board of Directors.

His impact on TLMI will be lasting, says Gerace. "My joining and participation in the TLMI over 10 years ago is a direct result of Ken's persistence in contacting and encouraging me to join. I know Ken is responsible for the membership of many others as a result of his work with TLMI membership growth and his belief in the value TLMI provides to converters and suppliers." Fulwiler adds: "All those in TLMI have been enriched by Ken."

On a personal note

Kidd has been married to Kim for 18 years and they have two children. In his spare time, he enjoys golf, bike riding, and trying to keep fit. In retirement, Kidd knows he will miss the industry that has so much potential and such a bright future, he says. He plans on keeping in touch with industry friends, while spending time traveling with Kim.

Those who know him best will miss his quiet leadership on a personal level. "Ken is a model of integrity, faithfulness, and humanity at its best," says Gerace. "His love of family and people is demonstrated in his daily walk through life, even through time of difficulty or disappointment. Ken is a genuine and authentic human being. Ken cares about and for people."

Having such a profound impact on people comes from values rooted in his early years. For Kidd, faith, family, and "this great industry" are blessings he cherishes most. pP