DANVILLE – At 92-years-old Montfort “Monty” Johnsen could go on and on about KIK Custom Products stories and its history.
He talked about the plant’s aerosol, “first pressurized can that sprayed,” product being an insecticide, and working early on with Colgate-Palmolive as a big customer. His memory remains sharp, and he still comes into the plant at least once a week, said Dan Mikel, packaging engineer.
KIK officials had a safety celebration Thursday at the plant located at 1 W. Hegeler Lane, in addition to a dedication and recognition of a bust of Johnsen.
The bust of Johnsen, a plant founder, sits in the plant’s visitor entrance lobby.
“I thought I’m better looking,” Johnsen said about his thoughts when he first saw the bust. He also joked the bust has a good sun tan.
Mikel told Johnsen they wanted to honor him on Thursday.
“I don’t think I really deserve it,” Johnsen said.
But Mikel and the other KIK officials say Johnsen is a local dignitary and authority on aerosol technology with his more than 60 years of service in the aerosol products industry. They said Johnsen has been important to the aerosol industry and Danville.
Johnsen has authored several books, technical publications and trade publication articles, and is credited as the inventor of five aerosol-related patents. Johnson, who holds degrees in chemistry and chemical engineering, served as vice president of research and development for CCL Custom Manufacturing Inc., now KIK, until 1987. He served as a consultant after that.
Johnson said the plant has been forefront and refined products such as in window cleaners, spray starch, hairspray development and new products for Procter and Gamble.
It was in late 1953 when Johnsen joined the aerosol industry as the group leader of research and development for the Continental Filling Corp. in Danville. In 1955 Johnsen became one of the founding members of the Peterson Filling & Packaging Co. in Danville, now known as KIK Custom Products.
The Peterson Filling Co. was purchased in 1964 by CPC International, Inc. From 1965 to 1980 the company expanded to four filling facilities in the U.S. and four international facilities. This new company was now known as Peterson/Puritan, Inc. and at that time it was considered to be the largest aerosol contract packaging in the world.
In 1987 Hi-Port Industries Inc. was purchasing Peterson/Puritan when Johnsen decided to join the private sector and formed an aerosol consulting firm. At the request of Hi-Port he agreed to become its part-time aerosol consultant, retaining his office and access to the facility, in exchange for his vast experience and knowledge. This arrangement has continued from that point through further company acquisitions as this facility was purchased in 1989 by CCL Industries all the way through the present owners (2005) KIK Custom Manufacturing.
The plant has grown from about 25 people to having 550 local employees working three shifts today. The most senior associate has been working at the plant for 53 years.
Johnsen served on the board of directors for the Consumer Specialty Products Association (CSPA) for 11 years as a board member. He was elected chair of the aerosol products division in 1974 and chairman of the board in 1981.
In 2003, Johnsen was honored with the CSPA’s most prestigious honor the “Charles Allderdice Award” for his many achievements in the advancement of the aerosol industry.
He has traveled the world as an aerosol technology expert and has consulted for the United Nations and has represented them as a dignitary on visits to other countries.
He also is regarded as an expert witness to provide insight and information in legal matters with regard to aerosol technology.
Johnsen’s wife, Marie, who he met when she too was working at the plant, said he also attended 127 mid-year and annual meetings with CSPA.