LA-CO Industries CEO To Become Executive Chairman

Longtime LA-CO chief executive Dan Kleiman takes over leadership of the company's board of directors, while current president John Hardin becomes the new CEO.

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, ILDan Kleiman has announced he is transitioning from his longtime CEO position to executive chairman of the board of LA-CO Industries

Located in Elk Grove Village, IL, LA-CO has been family-owned and family-run since its beginnings in 1934. Starting in 1971, Kleiman began his career in the sales department of LA-CO Plumbing products where he focused on broadening the market for Slic-tite, the premium thread sealant paste. From there, Kleiman rose through the ranks of LA-CO’s various divisions, eventually leading the rise of Markal Markers to category dominance in North America, and Markal’s successful expansion into markets throughout the world. 

“There’s been many great leaders at LA-CO,” said Kleiman, “but our success has always been rooted in one simple idea…fulfill and focus on the needs of our end user; the welder, the steel fabricator, the ship builder and hundreds of other users. Get truly great products into the hands of our customers, and we will be successful.”

Dan Kleiman is the third generation of family ownership of LA-CO Industries. As Kleiman transitions to his new Executive Chairman post focusing on future strategic initiatives, John Hardin steps in as CEO, working with Benjamin Kleiman, current Director of Marketing. In his new role, Hardin will be responsible for growing the products, technology and markets for continued success in an ever-changing marketplace. 

“As Markal Markers, Tempil Temperature Indicators, and all our other brands continue to advance here and in factories and sites worldwide, the foundation of our success in the future has been set,” says Kleiman. “LA-CO Industries has leaders with the vision to continue our growth and category leadership. I’m excited to see what the future brings.”

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