Class Act

Today’s leaders in the label industry are a diverse group. Some are entrepreneurs seeking opportunities in a dynamic, yet highly competitive market. Others are second-, third-, or even fourth-generation leaders of family-run businesses. Still others have worked their way up the ladder, having started with no preconceived notion that the tag-and-label industry was where they would make their marks.

John Pedroli, president, North America for CCL Label, Inc., falls into the latter category. Although he didn’t start his career in the tag-and-label industry, today he manages the North American operations for CCL Label, a company John Hickey—TLMI chairman of the board and CEO/owner of Smyth Companies—calls one of the most successful companies in the label business.

Hickey has known Pedroli for many years through involvement in TLMI. “He’s done such a tremendous job in the industry,” he notes. “He’s respected for his steadfastness, for being a consistent leader, calm and always in control; he is a great presence in the industry.” TLMI President Frank Sablone says it simply, “John Pedroli is a class act.”

This steady, consistent leadership, demonstrated throughout a career that spans more than 35 years, is being recognized with the packagePRINTING 2007 TLMI Converter of the Year Award.

Over the years

Pedroli started out in the business world working for Sigma Instruments upon his graduation from Boston’s Northeastern University in 1968 with a degree in industrial engineering. He must have known his destiny was in the label industry, because after just two years, he accepted an engineering position with Dennison Manufacturing and began learning about pressure-sensitive tags and labels and coated papers.

In 1972, he played a key role in starting up a new plant in Gastonia, N.C. as a plant engineer. In 1975, he moved into his first key management position in the label industry when he was named plant manager of this facility.

Always looking for opportunities to expand his knowledge and responsibilities, he went to work for Engraph in 1982 as the operations manager of its Package Products plant in Charlotte, N.C. Engraph, a holding company based in Atlanta, produced flexible packaging, folding cartons, and labels. At the Package Products plant, Pedroli was responsible for label and folding carton production.

He took over as general manager of Engraph’s Label Division in 1986. During his time in this position, the Label Division grew from about $3 million in sales to $150 million. He also got involved with screen printing and extended content labeling, taking charge of the company’s Screen Graphics plant in Memphis, Tenn.

It was during a span of three years that Pedroli landed under the CCL Label umbrella. In 1995, Engraph was acquired by Sonoco where he served as vice president of manufacturing for all of the former Engraph plants. When Sonoco sold its labeling operation to CCL Label in 1998, Pedroli became general manager of the Memphis plant.

In 2000, the company had a change in management and Geoff Martin, previously with Avery Dennison, came on board as president of CCL Label. Pedroli was named VP of North America plants, which at that time included about 12 facilities. Today, he is responsible for 16 plants throughout North America.

Pedroli’s previous experience with Dennison and Engraph prepared him well for the diverse labeling operations for which he is responsible. CCL Label focuses on four markets: decorating solutions, healthcare, specialty labels, and beverage. Within these market segments, the company supplies labels for some of the most recognizable consumer brands in the world.

To develop and maintain supplier relationships with some of the largest consumer product companies in the world requires manufacturing leadership across the board. “You have to be a technology leader and bring new ideas to these companies,” says Pedroli. “Of course, you have to have great quality and great customer service.”

Under Pedroli’s leadership, all operating divisions work hard to stay close to their customers. With some of its major customers, CCL Label operating personnel participate in monthly or bi-monthly meetings with technical development teams to enhance the supplier/customer relationships and to implement brand packaging strategies.

It is in these types of forums where Pedroli says that the company can leverage its capabilities. “We have large operations in Germany and Austria, with some sharp engineers,” he says. “We are able to bring their ideas to the North American market.”

Technology leadership is a strength at CCL Label. Pedroli says that the company is a leader in areas such as RFID and brand protection. “With RFID, we are especially focused on pharmaceuticals, and we are seeing more and more interest in the brand protection arena everyday—in all markets,” he says.

Pedroli’s engineering background is readily apparent when it comes to technology leadership. Walter Dow, CEO of Dow Industries and the 2005 TLMI Converter of the Year, says, “I’ve known John for 20 or 25 years and he’s always been a great competitor. He’s one of the smartest technical people I’ve known in this industry and he’s always looking for new ideas.”

Managing such a large and diverse organization requires special skills. Pedroli, however, breaks it down into what sounds like a simple formula. “First, you have to build a very good team at each location. Then you need to continue to work at developing each team. You have to give them their independence and let them make a lot of their own decisions; set the strategy and let them execute, and support them with capital and technical assistance when needed.”

CCL Label incorporates a decentralized management style and Pedroli credits much of the company’s success to the managers at the various operations. “We have independent-minded managers who want a certain amount of autonomy to run their operations,” he says.

TLMI network

Pedroli has been involved with TLMI since 1982 and served on the board of directors in the mid-1990s. In keeping with his practical, engineering roots, during his time on the board he worked to improve the content of TLMI events, especially the two annual meetings.

He believes the real value of TLMI membership comes from networking and the knowledge that results from interacting with so many converters and suppliers. “If I contact TLMI members with a question, if they don’t have the answer, they will invariably steer me in the right direction,” he says.

Home on the range

Pedroli makes his home in Charlotte, N.C. His leisure activities include fishing and golf, seemingly, a requirement for TLMI membership. Along with his many managerial and technical talents, Dow says that he has another strength that he can call on—Kathleen, his wife of 38 years. “Kathy is a terrific lady, a great asset to him,” says Dow. And as everyone loves to see their assets grow, John and Kathy have five children and eight grandchildren. pP