Louisville, KY. – Jones Plastic, one of the world’s leading injection molders for the appliance
and automotive industries, is proud to announce their 50th Anniversary.
and automotive industries, is proud to announce their 50th Anniversary.
In 1961, Louisville natives and Manual High School Alumni Harry & Larry Jones, with funding from family and friends along with their wives, Nancy and Skeet, and six children all under seven years of age in tow, started a one machine manufacturing operation.
Two years later they purchased another machine and with great employees and hard work the
business eventually out grew its modest beginnings and was relocated to its current headquarters, in the Jeffersontown Industrial Park. Harry said “We took a big chance but needed to have the ability Jones Plastic & Enginering - Jeffersontown, KY to continue to expand if the opportunities kept coming our way”. It was these opportunities that helped turn Jones Plastic and Engineering into a multi-national injection molder that is still family owned with three generations actively involved in day to day operations.
Harry and Larry are also Kentucky staples both as entrepreneurs and local sport legends. The twins both lettered three years (1950-52) with the Wildcats under Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. During which time Harry led the UK team and the Nation in most kick-off returns and most total yardage with 964 in 1951 and Larry led UK with most punt returns that same year.
Harry and Larry are also noted in the book, "The Wildcats," which was written by former UK Sports Information Director Russell Rice. In the book Rice discusses Bryant’s use of a unique number system to identify the twins, Harry (1A) and Larry (1B).
Initially, Jones Plastic manufactured whiskey caps for liquor bottles and in the early 90’s; they pioneered the use of gas assist, high speed molding and component kitting. It was not only this expertise in molding, but their reputation for helping their customers get products to market, reducing handling labor and shipping costs that led the way to expansions in Kentucky, Tennessee and two locations in Mexico, Monterrey and Juarez. Harry Jones (1A) & Larry Jones (1B) The company is also known in the industry for it’s reputation for service and quality by “Outworking the Competition”, a phrase coined by Larry in 1965. “My father, Harry and Uncle Larry insisted on providing customers with the best product and service possible. The 50th anniversary is testament to our continued dedication to this core value!" said Craig Jones; Chief Executive Officer.
Since established, Jones Plastic and Engineering has increased its staff up to 2400 employees worldwide and its plants are comprised of nearly 1,000,000 square feet. “It wasn’t always growth over the fifty years”, said Harry Jones. “Sometime the markets changed and then we had to adjust”. Some of these adjustments can be seen throughout their primary product lines which consists of Appliance Consumer Goods, Packaging & Displays, Outdoor Products, Medical, Electronic, and Automotive Components.
In 1978, the family held company expanded its holdings with the acquisition of a division of Ajax Hardware (California) and established Rev-A-Shelf as a division of Jones Plastic and Engineering in the 1980’s. Rev-A-Shelf’s line which began as metal and polymer Lazy Susan components complemented Jones Plastic and has since grown into the market leading innovator of quality, functional residential cabinet storage and organization products. Of Rev-A-Shelf, Harry said “We had high hopes for this company when we started it. With the help of so many hard working employees and great leadership in our first President, Kevin Jones and now with
Two years later they purchased another machine and with great employees and hard work the
business eventually out grew its modest beginnings and was relocated to its current headquarters, in the Jeffersontown Industrial Park. Harry said “We took a big chance but needed to have the ability Jones Plastic & Enginering - Jeffersontown, KY to continue to expand if the opportunities kept coming our way”. It was these opportunities that helped turn Jones Plastic and Engineering into a multi-national injection molder that is still family owned with three generations actively involved in day to day operations.
Harry and Larry are also Kentucky staples both as entrepreneurs and local sport legends. The twins both lettered three years (1950-52) with the Wildcats under Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. During which time Harry led the UK team and the Nation in most kick-off returns and most total yardage with 964 in 1951 and Larry led UK with most punt returns that same year.
Harry and Larry are also noted in the book, "The Wildcats," which was written by former UK Sports Information Director Russell Rice. In the book Rice discusses Bryant’s use of a unique number system to identify the twins, Harry (1A) and Larry (1B).
Initially, Jones Plastic manufactured whiskey caps for liquor bottles and in the early 90’s; they pioneered the use of gas assist, high speed molding and component kitting. It was not only this expertise in molding, but their reputation for helping their customers get products to market, reducing handling labor and shipping costs that led the way to expansions in Kentucky, Tennessee and two locations in Mexico, Monterrey and Juarez. Harry Jones (1A) & Larry Jones (1B) The company is also known in the industry for it’s reputation for service and quality by “Outworking the Competition”, a phrase coined by Larry in 1965. “My father, Harry and Uncle Larry insisted on providing customers with the best product and service possible. The 50th anniversary is testament to our continued dedication to this core value!" said Craig Jones; Chief Executive Officer.
Since established, Jones Plastic and Engineering has increased its staff up to 2400 employees worldwide and its plants are comprised of nearly 1,000,000 square feet. “It wasn’t always growth over the fifty years”, said Harry Jones. “Sometime the markets changed and then we had to adjust”. Some of these adjustments can be seen throughout their primary product lines which consists of Appliance Consumer Goods, Packaging & Displays, Outdoor Products, Medical, Electronic, and Automotive Components.
In 1978, the family held company expanded its holdings with the acquisition of a division of Ajax Hardware (California) and established Rev-A-Shelf as a division of Jones Plastic and Engineering in the 1980’s. Rev-A-Shelf’s line which began as metal and polymer Lazy Susan components complemented Jones Plastic and has since grown into the market leading innovator of quality, functional residential cabinet storage and organization products. Of Rev-A-Shelf, Harry said “We had high hopes for this company when we started it. With the help of so many hard working employees and great leadership in our first President, Kevin Jones and now with
David Noe, current General Manager, Rev-A-Shelf has grown into an International company with a great reputation for very high quality, storage solution products.”
“2011 was never a goal, nor did we ever expect to be in business this long”, said Harry. “The reason we are still here today is because we were very fortunate to find great people willing to work hard to satisfy our customers.” This hard work has grown Jones Plastic and Engineering from literally a one machine operation to a global corporation with five molding facilities, two satellite locations in Europe and Asia, and its subsidy company, Rev-A-Shelf. “We are proud to be part of the business. It has been great to be here all these years” said Harry Jones.
“2011 was never a goal, nor did we ever expect to be in business this long”, said Harry. “The reason we are still here today is because we were very fortunate to find great people willing to work hard to satisfy our customers.” This hard work has grown Jones Plastic and Engineering from literally a one machine operation to a global corporation with five molding facilities, two satellite locations in Europe and Asia, and its subsidy company, Rev-A-Shelf. “We are proud to be part of the business. It has been great to be here all these years” said Harry Jones.
Have something to say? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.