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Fey’s father, Norm, joined the company almost from the start,
and soon stumbled upon Newton, Iowa-based distributor The
Vernon Company. “Bill Vernon helped guide our company to the
promotional products industry,” Fey says, “And we joined the
Association in 1968.”
Growing Steadily
After decades of organic growth, the company acquired Reflectix,
which focuses on reflective personal safety products, in 2009 and Mi
Line/Molenaar, a manufacturer of advertising products for the home,
in 2013. “Reflectix was a natural fit for us, as most of the products fea-
ture the same core manufacturing capability of RF heat sealing,” Fey
explains. “With Mi Line we increased our core manufacturing capabil-
ities, adding injection molding, sonic welding and pad printing.
“We also consider each product line its own distinct brand rather
than lump them together in one catalog or website,” Fey says.
Though it’s always adjusting to market needs, Fey Industries hasn’t
lost sight of its past. Each of the company’s three brands, Fey, Mi Line
and Reflectix, primarily feature products manufactured in Minnesota,
with some complementary imported items. “So many suppliers are
now importers and decorators, whereas the industry roots are with
manufacturing and decorating,” Fey says.
Third Generation
Although the family business has connected Mike Fey to promo-
tional products all his life, he formally joined the industry in college by
working as a commission-only rep for Spartan Promotional Group. “I
was looking for a means to build my resume,” he recalls. “We go way
back with the Hohenwald family, as Al and Phyliss Hohenwald started
Spartan a year later than my grandfather started Fey Industries.” Al and
Fey’s father even served together on the board of regional association
SAAUM, predessor of Upper Midwest Association of Promotional
Professionals (UMAPP).
When Fey first contacted Spartan, he was seeking an internship.
But Spartan didn’t offer internships. “They provided me a stack of cat-
alogs and a box of samples, and that was the start of my career selling
promotional advertising products,” he says. “It was a valued experience
… in a territory which Spartan did not have prior representation. It
was complete cold calling and working to build a client base.”
Though young, Fey was no stranger to enterprise. He’d run a small
hay baling business from seventh grade until his freshman year in col-
lege. After college graduation, Fey stayed with Spartan, working for
Sears on nights and weekends to supplement his income.
Future Generations
Today, Fey has a wife and three children, ages 12, 14 and 16,
whose sports activities keep him busy. “I strive for getting the chance
to wake up my kids in the morning, be at work by 7:30 am and then
be home at 6 pm to enjoy dinner together as a family. This is where
living in a rural area is helpful, as my commute is less than five min-
utes,” he says.
Fey also serves on the local school board, and he just crossed off a
major bucket list item: skydiving. “I thoroughly enjoyed it,” he says. “I
look forward to doing that again.”
MARCH 2015 •
PPB
• 11
12
EYE ON APPAREL
19
QUESTION
Mike Fey, MAS, fulfills a lifelong dream of skydiving.
34
Going For
Gold
FEATURE STORY
BE A WINNER!
PAGE 108
Career Advice From
MIKE FEY, MAS
President/CEO Of Fey Industries
“Whatever the occupation may be, focus on something you
find fulfillment in doing; something that enables you to soar
with your strengths while others can come alongside you and
complement your skills. Remember that your work accomplish-
ments are important; yet, your legacy will be how you went
about reaching those accomplishments.”
22
Expo
Extraordinaire
FEATURE STORY