Fabri-Kal Corp. co-founder Robert Kittredge died April 4 at age 98.
Kittredge's death was confirmed by officials with the Plastics Hall of Fame. He was named to that group in 2012.
In 1950, Kittredge — known as Kit — was one of seven investors who each paid $5,000 to buy the thermoforming unit of Kalamazoo Paper Box Co. of Kalamazoo, Mich. At the time, Kittredge was an ABS sheet salesman for U.S. Rubber Co.
ABS in that era was mostly used for durable goods, but U.S. Rubber also sold sheet for thermoformed packaging to Kalamazoo Paper Box, which had a small vacuum forming operation. The new owners bought the equipment, moved it to a former A&P grocery store in downtown Kalamazoo, and renamed the business Fabri-Kal Corp.
Fabri-Kal proved to be a major success in thermoforming, with Kittredge serving as president until the late 1980s. In 2021, the business was sold to Pactiv Evergreen Inc. for $380 million.
"Building this company would not have been accomplished without the strong vision and insight that Kit carried with him through 61 years," Fabri-Kal then-President John Michael wrote when he nominated Kittredge for the Hall of Fame. "Kit was never afraid to take a risk."
"There were many setbacks in those years but his deep vision for the company kept us moving in the right direction. He walks among our true giants in the plastics industry."
In an April 7 statement, Hall of Fame officials said that Kittredge was "a true legend in our community and beyond" and that he "left an indelible mark as an entrepreneur, visionary business strategist, and dedicated philanthropist."
They added that Kittredge's contributions to the plastics industry "were unparalleled."
"His founding of Fabri-Kal in 1950 set the stage for innovation and excellence within the sector."
When the company was acquired, Fabri-Kal was the 11th largest North American thermoformer, according to PN data.
In 1968 he created the Fabri-Kal Foundation to provide a college education for the children of Fabri-Kal employees.
He is survived by his wife, Trisha of Fort Worth, Texas, numerous children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
In honor of his memory and in lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Ministry with Community (Kalamazoo), The Kalamazoo Community Foundation (Emergency Scholarship Fund) or an educational nonprofit of your choice.
Services will be held twice, in Fort Worth, Texas, on April 15 at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, and in Kalamazoo, Mich., on June 5 at 1:00 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church.