In this episode of the Think Factory podcast, host Chris Santomasimo sits down with Al Kennickell, president of The Kennickell Group, to explore how a multi-generational family business has survived and thrived since its founding in 1892. Al shares how he transformed the company by taking calculated risks—most notably investing in new printing technology early in his career—and repeatedly reinventing the business to stay competitive. He contrasts his aggressive, growth-oriented mindset with the cautious approach of earlier generations shaped by the Great Depression, emphasizing that success came from balancing risk with discipline and constantly seeking new opportunities.

The conversation dives deeply into leadership, decision-making, and succession planning within a family business. Al stresses the importance of accountability, strategic thinking time, and learning from peers, noting that many of his best ideas came from others. He also highlights the need for honest evaluation of the next generation, ensuring successors truly want—and are capable of—leading the business. Throughout, he underscores key leadership principles: remove emotion from decisions, rely on data (especially financials) to guide strategy, and maintain a culture of responsibility and continuous improvement.

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