Page 13 - LRCC June 2022 Focus

lansingchamber.org CHAMBER NEWS

The A. Dean
Watkins team l-r:
Shawn, Bob
and Jayne.

A. Dean Watkins Co. To Be Recognized with

LRCC Legacy Award

A. “It was nowhere near the product selection we have
Dean Watkins Company has been a family-
now,” says Watkins. “It has totally changed now that
owned, Lansing-based company since its
opening in 1952. On June 16, A. Dean Watkins Co.
will be honored for its 66 years as a loyal Lansing Regional people more fully understand how promotional
products impact the branding of their organizations.”
Chamber of Commerce member.
COVID-19 has had a big impact on A. Dean Watkins
“All of us at A. Dean Watkins Company were very surprised Co. the past couple of years. The company is heavily
and honored for being selected for the Legacy award,” dependent on meetings and events, which were halted.
said Bob Watkins, owner, A. Dean Watkins Co. “When Watkins said the company got through that period by
I see some of the names of past award winners, I feel producing custom printed masks and hand sanitizers.
elated to be recognized and in that special group of They also made a point of staying in touch with their
businesses.” customers.

Bob Watkins started working on a part-time basis during “We knew they weren’t ready to order and we weren’t
his teen years, when his father needed extra help with pushing them to order,” said Watkins. “We just wanted
mailing and other jobs. He started full-time in 1980 after to see how they were doing on a personal basis. Our
graduating from Central Michigan University with his customer base and loyalty over the last six-eight
brother Gary, who later decided to pursue other interests. months has really come back strong, and we have
He didn’t know if running the family business was the picked up quite a few new customers. People want to
career in which he was interested and decided to give get back into their businesses and they want to start
it a try for a couple of years. He discovered he loved the promoting. That’s where we come in.”
business more than he thought he would and has stayed
with it ever since. Bob was also joined in the business by Bob and Jayne Watkins have been joined in the
his wife, Jayne. business by son Shawn, a graduate of Western
Michigan University. Unlike his father, Shawn has
What started as a provider of calendars, pens and always known he wanted to be part of the business,
matches is now providing conference bags, apparel, and hopes to have it running strong, so A. Dean
office supplies, tech gifts, awards, speaker gifts, Watkins Co. can eventually turn 100.
certification pins and incentive gifts. The insurance
industry was the largest customer in the 1950s for “Family has worked out very well for us,” said Watkins.
specialty products. Calendars, pens and matches were “People love working here and we have enjoyed that
the top sellers. Now the company provides ad specialties and it has been large part of our success.” For more
and brand identity products for a variety of purposes and information, visit the company’s website at
with more variety than ever before. www.adeanwatkins.com. l

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