Dick and Karen Vaughn found that raising their children and building KDV Label was not the easiest thing in the world to do. Fortunately it was not too long before the long days of hard work and dedication to their dream that KDV was ready to move to its new home on Main Street in Waukesha.

KDV had found a niche in the Dairy industry and soon began shipping product as far south as Arkansas and out to customers along the East coast. Quality, Consistency and Performance were building the reputation that remains with KDV today.

KDV LABEL

In 1981 KDV was on the move again. With 3 presses and 12 employees, most of whom are still with the company, KDV shared space with a Church Furniture maker at its current location on Newhall Avenue in Waukesha. Two years later, KDV expanded again and took over the entire building.

During this time, KDV was sticking to the fundamentals of the business and consistency and persistence were being rewarded with more business from new and existing customers.

By the late 80's, KDV made the list of the Top 100 US Label Manufacturers. With the acquisition of an 8 color Kopack 250 Letterpress, Dick and Karen had clearly pointed KDV toward the high quality 4 color process segments of the market. This decision set the company on the road to diversification that has made KDV the unique company that it is today.

By 1992 the company's needs had grown again. Customer Service, Pre-press and Administration were moved into the building it now occupies, adjacent to the manufacturing facility.

In 1995, the second generation of Vaughn family joined the company. Shane, a graduate of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, had worked in and around the business for a number of years. He already had a good understanding of the fundamentals and began taking on production responsibilities immediately.

KDV finished the millennium having experienced a significant increase in sales during the mid to late 90's. This was despite the significant loss of manufacturing customers who were leaving the United States for cheaper labor markets in Mexico and Asia.

Dick and Karen Vaughn

Expansion of the manufacturing plant in 1996, and again in 1999, was necessary to house new printing presses and finishing equipment that were purchased to enhance printing capabilities and to increase capacity.

In 2001, KDV added digital pre-press and new direct –to-plate technology to capture the increases in print quality that digital technology created to assure that they remain a leader in the industry.

In 2003 KDV completed the purchase of Vision Group International. This acquisition catapulted KDV into the high end promotional markets, as well as multiple substrate coupons and game pieces. KDV now had 14 color printing capability in an AIB (American Institute of Baking) certified facility. This second printing facility also allowed KDV to accommodate any security needs of our Promotions customers. The AIB certification allowed us to run food contact items in a clean and safe environment.

In the fall of 2007, KDV grew yet again. 22,000 square feet is added to the Newhall Avenue facility in Waukesha. Total square footage now exceeds 85,000, housing 13 presses, State-of-the-art Pre-Press and Printing Plate production, dedicated Customer Service, Inspection and Finishing equipment and 115 dedicated, capable and motivated employees.

This expansion provides KDV with workflow efficiency and will house production equipment that will facilitate the next chapter of KDV's continued success.

July 2008, KDV appears at #26 on the Package and Printing Magazine’s annual list of Top Tag and Label Producers.

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