Today we’d like to introduce you to Dean-Paul Hart.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Dean-Paul. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Almost 40 years ago, Frederick Hart purchased Compac Industries, as our family emigrated to the Atlanta from Jamaica. Dad had a history in packaging and felt that his experience would suit Compac’s business well. With less than 15 items, he traveled by car from Atlanta to all directions (Miami, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, New York).
Although there were not many minorities in the housewares industry, he persevered, trusting God to provide, which He did. In the early years, much of our business was seasonal and based on weather stripping; however, in 1986, we pivoted and began to offer impulse products – our first two items were Sink Daisy, a scented sink strainer, and Mayo Knife, a long handled plastic knife shaped to the contour of a mayonnaise jar to help get all the mayo out and spread on your bread. We continued to offer our Safe-T-Shapes bath appliqués and beauty scrubs (Facial Scrub and Body Scrub).
In 1994, I joined the business “officially.” You see, I have worked at Compac since I was a little boy, earning $1/week. After finishing my undergraduate degree at GA State, I worked at Compac and completed a masters at South Carolina (USC). Coming into the business full-time, I simply focused on finding and distributing great products. Our goal has always been to create or find innovative products that help make life easier and more enjoyable for people of all ages. That is why, as the business grew and we continued our search for great products, we acquired the Baby Buddy® line of products in 2008. We shifted manufacture of the goods from Florida to Atlanta and continued on from there. (What a story the acquisition of Baby Buddy® is!)
In 2013, we relaunched Baby Buddy® with updated branding. In 2014, we launched our Baby Buddy Oral Care Program, a complete system for caring for baby gums to new teeth to adult teeth for “A Lifetime of Healthy Smiles.” HartFelt®, our adult skin care and oral care line, followed in 2015. And this year, we launched updated branding for our housewares, home, cleaning, and bath items – Compac Home®. We are currently working on our fourth brand, Brilliant!®, our line of toothbrushes with 360 degree bristles.
Ultimately, all we have ever wanted to do was to help people just like you. For almost 40 years, Compac Industries has created and distributed products that make life simpler.
As a family operated small business, it is remarkable that a majority of our products are made and packaged right here in the U.S.A. Our desire is to impact the lives of people of all ages with innovative solutions for the glory of God. This impact has been far reaching as we have met countless customers who testify of how our products have changed their lives. You are why we do, what we do and why we look forward to continuing to serve our customers in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Over the years, there have always been bumps in the roads. As with most businesses, we have had our times of financial challenges, especially when unexpected deductions were taken or payments were delayed. We have shared in the crises of our team members and their families. When we would figure out on-time deliveries for a key customer, we would have a temporary issue with getting materials on time from our suppliers. We have faced competitive pressures on pricing and intellectual property, as well as regulation changes. (We bought Baby Buddy® right around the time when lead paint showed up on a toy and created the increase of children’s product safety laws.) We have even faced legal challenges from the most obscure places and regulations. Through it all, we work as a team to maintain our care and integrity for people of all ages.
Although, we don’t wake up in the morning looking for them, the obstacles have made us sharper and stronger as a team and, therefore, as a company.
Please tell us about Compac Industries.
Compac Industries exists to deliver innovative solutions that make life easier and more enjoyable for people of all ages. We recognize that problems abound and that solutions bring enjoyment. We recognize that our world is not perfect and everyone can use a helping hand. As a result, we are committed to serving our team members, customers, and suppliers, wherever they are in this big world we live in.
Compac is a manufacturer and distributor of multiple brands. We create, manufacture, package, and distribute products around the world through mass merchants, super markets, specialty retailers, independent retailers, and online.
Often, people know our products, such as Sink Daisy, Plink, Body Scrub, but not Compac. With the acquisition of Baby Buddy®, we took a leap forward in branding. Nowadays, we are grateful for the opportunities to engage with Baby Buddy® families, especially those who love our Pacifier Holders, Natural Bath Sponge, Secure-A-Toy, and Brilliant!® toothbrushes with 360 degree bristles.
What sets Compac apart from others is our love for people. We are driven by the belief that all people are fearfully and wonderfully made and designed in the womb for a grand purpose. We desire to show this love in the quality of the engagement that we share with people individually. Moreover, our love for people is demonstrated by the solutions that we offer and in the quality of products that we produce.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Growing up, I loved taking on challenges. In third grade, with the help of my dad, we built a solar oven and cooked hot dogs! In fifth grade, I raised chickens and quails for a math class in our guest bathroom. My mom loved this! The project was titled, “Chicken and Quails and Graphs, Oh My!” I am a problem solver at heart, who loves to get the solution out. This has been the running thread throughout my life.
Contact Info:
- Address: 4963 S Royal Atlanta Dr
Tucker, GA 30030 - Website: www.compacind.com
- Phone: 404-373-5445
- Email: here4you@compacind.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/babybuddyig/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/babybuddybear
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/babybuddybear
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMSiBekRsrIFa3Tm1h8A_4w?view_as=subscriber
Image Credit:
Marvel-Ann Ashby
Five17 Design
Sammy Reed
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