The Manufacturing Executive Scaling a Family Manufacturing Business to $100M with Jenn Barlund
Dec 9, 2025
Jenn Barlund, the president of Falcon Plastics and a third-generation leader, discusses scaling her family-owned manufacturing business to nearly $100M. She emphasizes the importance of a people-first culture and operational excellence while maintaining a family feel. Jenn shares insights on innovating customer experiences, the significance of transparency in building trust, and the tough decisions involved in choosing the right partners. She also highlights her commitment to community outreach and attracting diverse talent in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
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Family Business Grows Into Global Molder
- Falcon Plastics grew from one location with three presses and one customer into a nearly $100M global operation over 50 years.
- Jenn Barlund describes expanding to China and Mexico and pushing to be a world-class molder with differentiated customer experience.
Be Intentional Preserving Culture
- Be intentional about preserving culture during growth by setting strategic goals and hiring to values.
- Focus on whole-life employee well-being to retain long-tenured staff and maintain a family feel.
Invest In Whole‑Life Well‑Being
- Invest in whole-life well-being programs like benefits education, on-site counseling, and wellness reimbursements.
- Reward behaviors that promote safety and provide profit sharing to tie employees to company success.
