Lighting A Path

Clint Medlock continues to illuminate positive steps forward for the diecutting/diemaking industry, even amidst persistent economic challenges.

CLINT MEDLOCK FIRST entered the diecutting/diemaking industry on the simple promise of stability—a steady job to go to each day. More than 25 years later, he is a seasoned shop owner and enthusiastic visionary whose selfless approach to leadership has inspired countless colleagues in the field and in the International Association of Diecutting and Diemaking (IADD). It is this flair for lifting up those around him for the betterment of the industry—particularly during the extreme economic challenges of the past two years--which has earned Clint Medlock the honor of packagePRINTING's 2003 IADD Diecutter/Diemaker of the Year.

"Clint Medlock defines leadership," says Eddie Mucci Jr., general manager of National Steel Rule Die and IADD president-elect. "They say a leader is someone who can take you places you otherwise wouldn't go. Whether it's a new type of show, or developing a closer relationship with our colleagues in Europe, Clint has led the way."

Mucci recalls how even after Medlock decisively led the IADD in developing its unique Odyssey trade show concept, he still insisted that Mucci do the ribbon cutting honors at the show's opening day ceremony. "He doesn't push you; he pulls you along," says Mucci. "He makes you want to do things for him."

Joe Adkison, president of Adko Inc., remembers Medlock's reassuring leadership when the September 11 terrorist attacks occurred on the eve of the association's 2001 Annual Meeting in Niagara Falls. "Clint was steadfast in his desire to lead our association, and mentioned that we would all make it through this," says Adkison. True to Medlock's word, the IADD quickly regrouped for a resoundingly successful meeting in Point Clear, Ala. later that year.

Medlock's calm determination in the face of adversity has further come to light in the past 12 months. "I think that we have been faced with very difficult times of late," says Adkison. "Clint has pushed even harder to make people aware of our challenges, while adding gentle nudges to help people rise above their comfort zone with visible results."

In business: Leading by example

Medlock left an early career in carpentry to bring his talent and drive to the diecutting/diemaking arena. His natural affinity for leadership blossomed as he rose quickly through the roles of diemaker, shop general manager, and vice president of production at Jamison Steel Rule Die. In 1991, he realized his dream of company ownership with the launch of Indian Trail, N.C.-based Stafford Cutting Dies, which provides dies to the corrugated industry.

Since Stafford's inception, Medlock has unfailingly pursued expansion and upgrades. On the operations side, Stafford's milestones include the 1993 purchase of Jamison Steel Rule Die's Charlotte, N.C. branch; the building of a new facility in 1994; and the expansion of the facility by 50 percent in 2002. On the production side, key technological purchases in the late 1990s included a flat laser dieboard cutter, a rotary laser dieboard cutter, an automated rotary rule processor, an automated bender, and a waterjet cutter.

Medlock's business enthusiasm is clearly shared throughout Stafford's 25-employee team. He describes his staff as "highly skilled," possessing "the culture that will do whatever is necessary to make on-time deliveries." Medlock says dedicated employees, along with investments in the latest technological resources, are the key reasons why Stafford continues to meet the corrugated industry's high-quality, fast-turnaround tooling demands. Despite the continually challenging economic climate, Stafford has maintained a 5 to 6 percent growth rate. To stay competitive amid the recent decline in high-volume die business, Medlock redefined Stafford's strategies and steered its focus toward the still-strong point-of-purchase (POP) market, which requires small quantities and quick launch times.

In IADD: From grassroots to go-to guy

Medlock's involvement with IADD started small, but grew steadily. He attended his first local chapter meeting early in his career, while still working for Jamison Steel Rule Die. "I saw instantly, to be successful, I needed to surround myself with the people of this organization," he says. "All of the industry leaders were there. I just wanted to be like them and to accomplish that, I knew I had to get to know them much better."

Medlock's IADD presence originated locally, progressed to a regional level when he became vice chair and chair of the IADD of the South, and then took on a national scope, as he became further ingrained in the group's core circle of leadership—as a member of its board of directors, as president-elect, and then as president.

As president-elect, Medlock led the creation and fruition of the IADD's Odyssey event, a clever twist on the trade show concept that mixes educational programs featuring live demonstrations with supplier exhibits. "Although the IADD had talked for years and years about having a trade show, Clint's vision and leadership made the whole thing happen," relates Cindy Crouse, CEO of IADD.

"Odyssey 1 and 2 are a result of [Medlock's] dream to share knowledge and experience with the industry," confirms Dennis Garrity, president of Bar-Plate Manufacturing. He emphasizes Medlock spent close to 2,000 hours making sure both shows were successful.

Medlock's term as IADD president has held special challenges, in light of the economic downturn and continuing difficulties for the U.S. manufacturing sector. Though Medlock contends that the tougher business landscape has divided his attentions between Stafford and the IADD more than he would like, his colleagues have nothing but praise for his unwavering dedication to IADD objectives. "Clint has put his energy into overdrive and led us through the year holding together and planning ahead for years to come," Adkison states.

Solidifying a cycle of success

Medlock has also laid extensive groundwork for industry growth and renewal by devoting significant personal time to educating and empowering diemakers in all corners of the world—a cause that has also served to enrich his own knowledge and effectiveness.

"One of the things I enjoy is teaching," he says. "I learned at a very early age, if you want to learn about something, start teaching it." He has given diecutting/diemaking seminars all across the United States, as well as in Canada, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Peru, Ecuador, Guatemala, Japan, Germany, France, and England. This fall he will head to Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong to share his industry perspectives.

Whether leading operations at Stafford, heading up an IADD event, teaching in the field, or even orchestrating a fishing expedition, Medlock "knows how to share his knowledge, which allows people to share their knowledge with him, and that helps him gain even more knowledge to share," Adkison sums up. "Let's hope that this cycle continues."

By: Sue Friedman