Fort Scott Biz

Ward Kraft Offers Careers, Not Just a Job to Their Employees

Jude Ward and Harold Kraft had a vision in 1972 of opening a company that would allow people a chance to grow financially and career-wise.

Mr. Ward and Mr. Kraft started up a printing company that would not only outperform the competition but would help create more opportunities for people who wanted a career and not just a job. Now over 45 years later, that “legacy” continues as Ward Kraft still stands at the top of the list when it comes to employers in Fort Scott, Kansas.

Ward Kraft employs 340 people.

That thirty-five percent of their current workforce has been employed at the company for ten years or more shows that Ward Kraft is a place that a person can call a career and not just a job.

What started out as a forms company in the early seventies has evolved into a company that specializes in forms, labels, plastics, and specialty products; working out of three divisions at their campus in Fort Scott.

Competitive wages (with wages ranging from $10.40 to $22.00 depending on the work area and skill level), good benefits, stability, advancement opportunities, and a good working environment are a just a few of the reasons the employees at WK have made the company their working home for so many years.

Dee Covey, who has been with the company for over 12 years says, “I have been blessed to have an awesome job. I work with great people who believe in teamwork and a boss who is very understanding and always listens to me”.

When asked about Ward Kraft and the longevity of their members, President of Manufacturing Phil Quick (a 28-year member) said, “I feel we keep good members at WK because of the work environment, and family atmosphere. Our managers and members care about doing the right thing for the customer, and the team.  Attitude and effort are the main ingredients for being successful at WK.”

During the company’s annual Christmas dinner, service awards were handed out to members that were celebrating 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 years of service.

Five-year service awards, pictured (from left to right) Richard Racer, Ashley Farmer, JoAnn Dugan, Chris Thurston, Jay VanBuskirk, Cindy Schroeder, Brad Matkin, Daniel Gauthier, and Wayne Racy

Celebrating 5 years: JoAnn Dugan, Ashley Farmer, Daniel Gauthier, Bryan Hughes, Brad Matkin, Mike Pyle, Richard Racer, Wayne Racy, Cindy Schroeder, Scott Smith, Chris Thurston, and Jay VanBuskirk.

 

Ten-year service awards pictured (from left to right) Reva Dent and Roberta Anderson.

Celebrating 10 years: Roberta Anderson, Ryan Kraft, Thom McCreedy, and Reva Dent

 

Fifteen-year service awards: pictured (from left to right) Ben Morrell, Matt McClellan, Dana Ruhl, Bob Piotrowski, Jeanette Sisseck, Lisa Hull, Steve Williams

Celebrating 15 years: Ken Ash, Lisa Hull, Matt McClellan, Ben Morrell, Bob Piotrowski, Dana Ruhl, Jeanette Sisseck, Joshua Smith, Steve Williams, and Teresa Zimmerman.

 

Twenty- year service awards –pictured (from left to right) Michelle Heaton, David Budd, Twila Milburn, Sara Griffith, Carey Mooney, and Randy Thurston.

Celebrating 20 years: David Budd, Sara Griffith, Michelle Heaton, Twila Milburn, Carey Mooney, and Randy Thurston

 

Twenty-five-year service awards (from left to right) Bill Meech, Billy Cowan, and Steve Denton

Celebrating 25 years: Billy Cowen, Steve Denton, Billy Hill, Bill Meech, and David Zimmerman

 

Thirty-year service awards pictured (from left to right) Melinda Collins, Raymond Mauck, and Jesse Crum.

Celebrating 30 years: Mark Christy, Melinda Collins, Jesse Crum, Ray Mauck, and Joy Wiltse

 

Thirty-five-year service awards pictured from left: Dennis Harper, Danny Harper, and Gary Bosley.

Celebrating 35 years Gary Bosley, Danny Harper, Dennis Harper, and Roger Kraft

 

Forty-year-service award, pictured is Patty Gauthier.

Celebrating 40 years: Patty Gauthier and Jerry Parsons

 

2017 Retirees – (from left to right) Danny Harper and Jimmy Tucker

Celebrating the retirements of Jimmy Tucker (31 years of service), Danny Harper (35 years) and Joy Wiltse (30 years).

 

 

Ward Kraft, Inc. is part of the WK Holding Company which also includes local companies FS Munitions, KW Cattle Co., ReproLogix, 4 State Sanitation and Recycling, and Christian Learning Center.

Ward Kraft will hold a job fair on April 10th at the Empress Event Center, located at 7 North Main, from 10 am to 2 pm and will be looking for people who want to be part of their team.

Positions that are available are production members, sales personnel, and office staff to name a few. WK staff will be present to talk to prospective members about these opportunities and to answer any question you may have about the company.

Ward Kraft management believes the employees have made the last 45 plus years possible and successful and are still committed to hiring the “Person Not the Position”.

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