Pat Meehan Sr. had worked in the label business for eleven years. He had always been very dedicated to his work. Pat, with encouragement from his wife Carol, discussed the possibility of starting his own label company.
In the spring of 1976, Pat and Carol Meehan put those words into action, and started MR Label Co. For the next 33 years they worked side by side with the growing company. For the first three years, the company operated out of their basement. It held the office, raw stock, inventory and shipping department. It was most certainly not an easy ride, but one with new adventures at every turn.
In the beginning, Carol worked from that basement office as their accountant and customer service representative, while raising four young children. Pat spent most of his days making outside sales calls, working to develop the business. His evenings were spent doing estimates, layout sheets and entering those precious orders.
Great Growth
Astonishingly, the couple was able to run MR Label Co. out of their basement from 1976 to 1979 without any presses. MR Label Co. developed close relationships with offset, screen and flexographic label printers as well as prepress companies for artwork, filmwork, flexo plates and screens. The only equipment they owned in those early years was finishing equipment (a guillotine, back splitter, and die cutter).
First Five Years
The first five years MR Label Co. was in business were the most difficult for Pat and Carol, as they worked to establish their company. In 1979, the couple was able to purchase their first screen printing press, and moved into space they rented behind a bar called Tiny Bubbles, in Mt. Airy, OH. The small warehouse only had 900 square feet, but the couple put every inch of it to good use. After becoming a corporation in 1981, the company bought its first flexographic printing press and that forced them to purchase a building in the Northside section of Cincinnati.
The First Facility
This was a big step for MR Label Co. Pat had experience in marketing, estimating and selling labels, but knew nothing about running the presses that produce them. This did not hinder their success at all; rather it gave Pat another challenge. With the help from old friends in the label business and new friends in Printing Industries of America, MR Label Co. became a manufacturer of screen-printed and flexographic printed labels. This also led to the development of a great relationship with Cincinnati State, a local college. MR Label Co. became its first co-op partner for their “Flexographic Printing Program.”
MR Label Co. has worked closely with that department and the instructors at Cincinnati State, even training them on presses, and has greatly influenced their printing program. As a result, MR Label Co. continues to hire qualified co-op students from Cincinnati State, and continues to give back to help enrich the development of the program.
A Full In-House Operation
In 1987, MR Label Co. became a fully in-house operational label company, after replacing its conventional photographic camera and plate making equipment with state-of-the-art computer driven digital equipment. It added new and larger screen-printing and flexographic printing presses as the needs of its client base continued to grow.
In 1990, MR Label Co. moved into its current facility with 19,000 square feet, still in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Pat and Carol retired in 2008 but have left the business in the capable hands of their children, Kathy, Pat Jr., Tim, and Brigid, who literally grew up around the business. They all spent their summers in the shop helping in any way they could, and upon college graduation they worked full time. (Kathy did not stay with the family company, but pursued her dreams of becoming a doctor.)
Today
Since 1976, MR Label Co., has been producing custom labels, currently servicing customers across the nation and internationally. Pat and Carol Meehan attribute their success to the wonderful employees (many of which of have been with the company from the early days), and to more than just a few customers who have remained loyal since the beginning. MR Label Co. continues to excel in the manufacturing of labels for packaging, industrial and OEM applications as well as UL/cUL/CSA licensed label applications and eagerly looks forward to the new challenges of today’s markets.
1976
Early Days
Pat and Carol started MR Label Co. The couple was able to run MR Label Co. out of their basement from 1976 to 1979 without any presses.
1979
First Printing Press
The couple was able to purchase their first screen printing press, and moved into space they rented behind a bar called Tiny Bubbles, in Mt. Airy, OH. The small warehouse only had 900 square feet, but the couple put every inch of it to good use.
1981
The Move
The company bought its first flexographic printing press and that forced it to purchase a building in the Northside section of Cincinnati.
1987
A Full In-House Operation
MR Label Co. became a fully in-house operational label company, after replacing its conventional photographic camera and plate-making equipment with state-of-the-art computer-driven digital equipment.
1990
New Facility
MR Label Co. moved into its current facility with 19,000 square feet, still in Cincinnati, Ohio.
2008
Next Generation
Pat and Carol retired in 2008 but have left the business in the capable hands of their children, Pat Jr., Tim, and Brigid, who literally grew up around the business.
Present
Today
MR Label Co., has 44 years of experience in the custom label business, currently servicing customers across the nation.
Customer Service Representatives
Greg Schramm
(Estimator, Customer Service, and Quality Control) studied fine art and graphic design at the Columbus College of Art & Design, as well as photography at the College of Mt. St. Joseph. Greg and his wife, Cindy have one son, Jack. Greg is also a musician and songwriter. From 1992 to 1996, Greg and Cindy lived in Los Angeles, CA where he worked in the supply end of the graphic/printing industry, as well as playing music in many clubs on the Sunset strip. The L.A. Riot of ’92, the Northridge earthquake of ’93, an armed robbery, and attempted carjacking and several wild fires…. EGADS…. brought the couple back to their hometown of Cincinnati where Greg has been with MR Label Co. since 1996.
Jodie Humpert
Jodi started at MR Label Co. in 2015 as a Customer Service Representative. With her attention to detail and her love of numbers (ok, she loves the numbers at the casino, too) we quickly realized she could better serve MR Label Co. in our Accounts Receivable Department, so when you receive that emailed invoice, it’s from her! Jodie lives in Cincinnati with her husband, Bryan, their three children and one really cute dog. She is a graduate of Xavier University. She loves playing golf, playing the slot machines and going to soccer games!
Peggy Knebel
Peggy started with MR Label Co. in 2015 as a Customer Service Representative. Her responsibilities include processing orders, helping customers and many other jobs throughout the day. When she is not at MR Label Co. she enjoys spending time with her family and friends. Peggy has lived in Cincinnati all her life but enjoys traveling. She also likes going boating, biking and being outdoors.
Lisa Steinmetz
Lisa joined MR Label Co. in 2017 in our Customer Service department. She processes orders, answers inquiries, and helps wherever she’s needed. Lisa graduated from The Ohio State University and used her degree to run a private “corporation” for a number of years-doing budgeting, inventory control, logistics, and chauffeuring for her 3 children. She is very happy to be working at MR Label Co. In her spare time, Lisa likes to travel, hike with her husband, take walks with her beloved Schnoodle Scruffy, visit craft breweries, and watch the Buckeyes, the Reds, and home improvement shows.
Art Department & Pre-Press
Sandy Tarter
Joined MR Label Co. in December 2013 as a co-op from Cincinnati State and became a permanent member of the team after graduation. Sandy works in the Art Department alongside David Glass, designing, proofing and printing digital jobs. When she isn’t busy as a Graphic Design Assistant, she rolls up her sleeves and runs a screen printing press. A versatile worker, she always helps out with finishing projects to get the job done. Aside from her position at MR Label Co., Sandy has a second full-time job where she has excellent communication and organizational skills. She works long evening and weekend shifts with frequent on call night shifts. Her position is “Mommy, Mama, Ma and MOMMM!” The rumor is the three owners, Easton, Cobi and Stella, don’t pay her.
Sales Representatives
Autumn Schmidt
A University of Akron graduate, has been in a business development role at MR Label Co. since 2011 and has been in a sales role in some form or another her entire career. This has included everything from market research to shoes (which she admittedly buys too many of!) to medical equipment and now labels. Aside from MR Label Co., she enjoys spending time with her husband, Tom, their two children Caleb and Emmy and their two dogs. She loves watching her kids on the ice playing hockey (yea…she can be one of those LOUD hockey moms) or figure skating. She’s an active volunteer for the St. Xavier Triathlon Club, St. Xavier Hockey and The Cincinnati Children’s Hospital International Adoption Center.
Screen Team
Flexo Team
FAQ
Fax (513) 681-1249
Email MRlabel@MRLabelco.com
Contact a Customer Service Representative: 1-888-LABELCO or 513-681-2088
