New Ownership at Spectrum Label Corporation

Jerry Kwok is the new President and CEO of Spectrum Label Corporation, Hayward, CA. He acquired ownership of the company from founder and President Alan Leeson, who has retired after operating the company for the past 34 years. Kwok was previously the firm’s Vice President and General Manager.

According to Kwok, “Alan was committed to staying with the long-standing organizational philosophy and to continuing the business practices that have been in place for many years, which we will.” Kwok stated that he believed Leeson could have realized a substantially higher selling price for the company had he not held to those commitments.

“It was important to Alan that the employees were taken care of,” said Kwok. “We have employees that have been here a long time. To him our employees are like family. He wanted Spectrum to keep its corporate philosophy as to how we treat our employees, customers and vendors.” Leeson was confident that if Kwok owned the company, the character of Spectrum would remain intact.

Kwok began his career with Spectrum Label approximately 10 years ago as the company’s controller. “I had no printing experience before I came to Spectrum. Over the years I learned the many different facets of the printing industry and Spectrum’s technology.” Kwok said purchasing the firm was a big step for him but that he plans on growing the company while maintaining the traditions, practices, and operating environment of the company that have been developed and implemented over a period of 34 years.

Kwok emphasized that the changing of the guard will not lead to any significant transformation at Spectrum. “Obviously, we will adapt to the marketplace but our basic beliefs won’t change. In the final analysis, Spectrum’s employees are what make the Company the unique organization that it is. Clearly that cannot be bought.”

Leeson is still a part of Spectrum Label Corporation. He owns the building in which the company operates and he will be available for any consultative services to the firm.

“We hope to achieve the sales growth we had projected when we moved into the new manufacturing facility,” said Kwok. “We have room to grow and that’s definitely our major objective in the coming years.”

Spectrum Label Corporation is a manufacturer of labels and flexible packaging employing over 60 people in its 65,000 square foot plant. The firm has received more than 150 printing awards from worldwide competitions, including numerous FTA Excellence in Flexography Awards and the FTA Distinguished Achievement Award.