In 1948 Mr. Onnie Jones purchased a hand cleaner formula from a local chemist in Oklahoma City. The name of the products was Joe’s No Water Mechanics Hand Soap. Mr. Jones began making the product in his garage at night, and selling it during the day on his Mac Tool route. Early reception from local mechanics was good and Mr. Jones felt he had found a market for Joe’s. In the early fifties, Mr. Jones sold his tool business and hired Claire Newman to help manufacture the product. Over the next thirteen years Mr. Jones and Mrs. Newman worked to improve Joe’s No Water Mechanics Hand Soap and increase distribution into surrounding states. In 1968, Mr. Jones offered Claire and her husband Louie a partnership in Kleen Products. They accepted, Incorporated, and began an outside sales effort that helped Kleen Products grow and impact the hand cleaner market. Improvements in formulation procedures and raw chemical quality made a tremendous positive impact with the consumer. The thought of a hand cleaner that could be totally waterless, without the greasy feeling and heavy petroleum odor was unheard of. Yet through a constant attention to high quality and consistent service, Kleen Products achieved one of the highest quality hand cleaners available to the consumer. An immediate loyal repeat business was built and even today, many of Kleen Products early distributors have been with the company over 35 years. The name was also changed to Joe’s Hand Cleaner. Sadly, in 1970, the company founder, Mr. O.R. Jones died after a long and arduous fight with cancer. Late in 1978 as production demand increased and the consumer base grew, additional employees were hired to help meet the company needs. Ken Newman and Joe Brantley were hired to take production responsibilities. This allowed Claire and Louie Newman to concentrate on developing new distributors in the eight state territory around Oklahoma. Late in 1980, sales reached an all time company high. Sales during the next six years reflected the collapse of the oil industry and numerous bank failures. Kleen Products survived the tough years only because of shrewd purchasing and being totally debt free. In late 1987, two things happened to define new directions and a rededication for success to Kleen Products. The first was a fire that totally destroyed the warehouse at the old location of 5960 NW 23rd. The result was the decision by the majority stockholders to build a new facility at 8136 SW 8th (I-40 and Council Road). The new facility would double the old plant size and allow flexibility to enter the private labeling market. The second decision made was to add a third person to the office/sales staff and hire a replacement in the production department. Ken Newman was promoted from production to the office in an effort to help Louie and Claire intensify the sales effort and expand beyond the traditional eight to fifteen state distribution areas. Mike Newman was hired to help production and shipping. After moving into the new facility in August of 1988, the stockholders, directors, and management team made a commitment to reevaluate Kleen Products’ objectives and goals for the future. Upon a recommendation from a Director of the Corporation, the Johnson Group was hired as a Management Consulting firm. Over the next two years, Kleen Products was able to create a business plan, which produced a rewrite of the Corporate By-laws, a Corporate Policy Manual, and a set of objectives and goals for the next five years. Kleen Products has added a Screen-Printing Division, which labels the Joe’s line of products as well as private labels for numerous other companies. The management team also committed to investing in a mold to make the 4-1/2 pound plastic container. This decision allowed Kleen Products to better control the cost, delivery and quality of its number one container. The last four years have produced employee growth from five to nine full-time, with an additional two serving in a part-time capacity. Besides increased sales of Joe’s into 41 states, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Greece and Mexico, the private label division has doubled in size. Kleen Products growth pattern can be attributed to high quality products, unique packaging and design, unparalleled service and a continuing commitment to customer satisfaction. Regards, Ken Newman, President, CEO