At DeKalb Molded Plastics, Walters focuses on team atmosphere

Butler, Ind. — Rick Walters remembers when he was no fun to work for. He recalls a hard-charger where everyone on his team had to keep pace. Or else.

But Walters knew he had to change when he became president of DeKalb Molded Plastics Co. in 2007 if he wanted people to truly follow him.

“This is probably one of the most interesting parts of my career,” Walters said. “I decided I must begin to really listen and be more considerate to other people's thoughts and ideas. I still have flashbacks, but I'm a different person now.”

So, in 2008, Walters reached outside for help as he began to build a team atmosphere. He hired a coach.

“I immediately went into change mode. I had to. It was critical I let everyone know I was different right then if I was ever going to be successful leading DeKalb.

“A few months later, I remember overhearing someone say, ‘He's actually letting me make my own decisions.' That was a big deal to me.”

Walters' story begins 37 years ago when he walked into DeKalb one day to take the job as a night shift supervisor.

“I had no idea what a plastic pellet was. I didn't even know it was in pellet form,” said Walters, who shares ownership of the structural foam molder with Jeff Rodgers, who retired in 2009. “How many people get to work for the company they first worked for? It's a dream come true.”

Walters and Rodgers bought the company in 1997 from JSJ Corp. At that point, Rodgers became president and Walters served as vice president of operations. Ten years later, Walters became president as Rodgers transitioned into retirement.

DeKalb Molded Plastics has 80,000 square feet of factory space sitting on 12 acres. DeKalb makes large parts, including kidney-dialysis cabinets, pallets made from recycled resin and round, yellow safety barriers that are filled with sand and placed near collision areas on highways and ramps.

Sales at DeKalb has held steady the last few years at $16 million. Walters says that's misleading — in a good way — because some customers are now purchasing their own resin, keeping DeKalb's costs lower than in previous years.

DeKalb's workforce is also steady. More than 20 parking spaces are reserved for specific members of the company's “Quarter Century Club” — a group of employees with more than 25 years of service. That said, Walters said finding and training workers remains a priority. One of his goals for 2016 is to create a development plan for personnel.

“We've spent a lot of time and money on people, but without a plan. We've got to find the next Quarter Century Club members,” he said.

All employees at DeKalb are eligible for the company's profit-sharing plan, which is distributed quarterly. “Everyone knows when we make money or when we lose money,” said Walters, who estimated that shop floor workers can earn up to $3,000 in profit sharing in a good year.

Interestingly, Walters and Rodgers agreed that none of their children could work at DeKalb — not that the 60-year-old Walters plans to retire soon. He's circled May 5, 2022, as a retirement date, giving him and his board plenty of time to find a successor. He also acknowledged that publicly providing a date gives his employees the certainty they need as to how long he'll be around.

Walters says he does have those late night/early mornings when he finds himself awake thinking about the business. What's on his mind then? His team.

“Am I giving them the right challenges? Am I giving them the right opportunities? Are we growing this thing well? To me, that's our core. I got to make sure they're feeling energized and they're engaged and that I'm providing the opportunities to make them want to be with me,” he said.

Walters believes encouraging employees to be active in the community is a big part of that engagement.

“People have a life outside these four walls. I've got people who love the United Way, who love serving the United Way so you've got to make sure you have opportunities there. I've got other people who want to serve their church. I don't get hung up on which kind of church. You're serving and that's a passion for you. I think you have to support people,” he said.