Dimensions of Change: How a Small Manufacturer Built a Multi-Dimensional Growth Engine

Critical Issues Member Forum Call – Leadership, Organization, Culture and People

Abstract

Manufacturing transformation is often pursued through isolated initiatives: digital, sustainability or operational excellence. Pure & Gentle demonstrates that lasting impact comes from aligning multiple dimensions of change into a unified system. This presentation explores how a small manufacturer integrated sustainability, AI, business model innovation and ISO-driven operational discipline to create a scalable growth engine.

By connecting these dimensions through data, process design, and cultural alignment, the company reduced waste, accelerated innovation, improved workforce effectiveness, and unlocked new revenue streams. Attendees will gain a practical framework to identify, integrate and scale their own dimensions of change, regardless of company size.

Pure & Gentle was the 2025 Manufacturing Leadership Awards Small/Medium Enterprise Manufacturer of the Year. The company’s project, Planet-First, People-First: How Pure & Gentle Builds a Sustainable Workplace, also won the Transformational Business Cultures category.

Please join this Manufacturing Leadership Council Critical Issues Member Forum to hear more from the Pure & Gentle presenters and to gather insights into their award-winning approach.

Presenters:

• John Blount, President and CEO, Pure & Gentle, Inc.
• Darin Klaehn, Vice President for Product Development, Pure & Gentle, Inc.

Facilitator:

• Melissa Boom, Senior Content Director, Manufacturing Leadership Council

This call is part of MLC’s Critical Issues Member Forum series.
These members-only calls feature exclusive ideas, insights, strategies and tactics to help MLC members on their digital transformation journey. Each forum call aligns with one of MLC’s Critical Issues. To learn more about these calls and MLC membership, please visit our membership page.