Owners Adopt New Technologies, Mindset To Foster Future Growth

 

A certified distributor for Label-Aire and NITA Pressure-Sensitive Labeling Equipment,  RJD PackPro, Inc. was founded in 2003 to specialize in custom labeling applications, thanks to owners Robert and Lezlie DeGrand’s combined 47 years of industry experience. “Our customers range from Fortune 50 and Fortune 100 Corporations to quintessential “mom and pop” small business owners,” says Lezlie DeGrand. “We currently offer two lines of labeling equipment, one of which gives us the ability to provide customizable, high-speed (up to 1,000 ppm) fully integrative systems, while our other line offers HMI color touch-screen technology with remote service capabilities. In addition to machinery, parts and service, we also sell pressure-sensitive labels and offer contract labeling, machine integration and consulting.”

After enjoying amazing growth since its inception in 2003, RJD PackPro felt the effects of the 2007 recession as many other small businesses did.  “We survived the recession by ‘going lean’ and handling as many services in house as possible,” says DeGrand.

“After surviving the recession – and watching a lot of other companies disappear around us – we knew we had to do something to grow the business. It couldn’t be ‘business as usual.’ But we hit an impasse. We felt we needed to offer some newer technologies that our existing manufacturer did not offer, which posed problems of loyalty for us and them. Then we lost a very large order strictly because we could not offer the technology the customer desired.”

While they have experienced both the ups and downs of ownership, with years of experience in business, the DeGrand’s knew it was always wise to accept the counsel of the those who had been there before. In 2005, while still in a period of business growth, the DeGrand’s proactively sought out the support of SCORE. “We have utilized the expertise of SCORE mentors since 2005, getting invaluable advice on accounting, taxes, business insurance, contract negotiations, and international shipping and sales,” says DeGrand.

Over the years, the RJD has continued to grow with the help of SCORE mentorship. “Unless you have already owned a business, you will never know everything you need to know to start and run a business. That’s why you need to rely on the expertise of others, which is abundantly available to startup and existing businesses through SCORE.”

Said DeGrand: “The most amazing thing about working with SCORE professionals is that these people have often worked for – or sold to - some of the largest corporations in the world. Their thought processes can be quite surprising! You may have a grasp of the obstacles immediately before you, but when you present an issue to them, they might approach the problem from a completely different position. And that kind of information in itself is a tremendous gift, because your viewpoint will suddenly shift and become much larger.”

Company name: RJD PackPro, Inc.
Company address: 1836 Fenpark Drive, Fenton, MO 63026
Year company started: 2003
Client name: Robert DeGrand and Lezlie DeGrand
Company website: www.rjdpackpro.com