Walsworth Celebrates 70

A company history involves more than facts and figures about development and expansion. It includes the people who made the company what it came to be.

Ink: The Walsworth Publishing Company Story is partially biographical because it had to include personal stories about the Walsworth family. Few companies in America can trace leadership through four plus generations over a seventy-year period. One cannot understand the culture of the company without knowing the personalities of Don and Joy Walsworth, who gave birth to the company. Mixed in are the contributions of Don’s brothers, Ed and Bill, who along with their wives, Irene and Becky, helped lay the foundation of the company.

Much of the story of the company centers on Don O. Walsworth and his wife Audrey. For more than forty years, he has led the company to its present leadership role in the printing industry. His guidance and vision are seen throughout the book.

From its birth in Marceline, to its expansion to Brookfield and Kansas City, Missouri, to a plant in Omaha, Nebraska, Walsworth has touched many lives. Not a day goes by that Walsworth representatives do not speak to customers throughout America and the world. Even with an international reputation—this story recognizes the many contributions of the people who answer telephone calls, prepare books for press, print the material, and ship books throughout the world.

For the book’s foreword, President Don Walsworth wrote the following:

It is an honor to be part of this seventy-year celebration and to participate in this historical tribute. As we look back at the history of Walsworth Publishing Company, we witness a tribute to relationships—with our employees, with our customers, and with the community. What started out as a humble beginning, three brothers and an idea, blossomed into so much more—an international company with 1500 employees. Did they dare dream this big?

We would not be at this promising point in our company’s history without loyal customers. We value your business and commitment and we want to keep delivering your product on time and on budget. You push us to advance technology, to improve how we do business, and to be the best we can be. Thank you! The future looks incredibly exciting and I’m dreaming big.

A critical element of our company’s success has been its relationship with the communities in which we do business. Giving back is paramount to our company. Giving out Christmas turkeys, college scholarships, and providing for our community center are just a few examples. I salute my father, Don O. Walsworth, for setting such a high standard of philanthropy. His tireless passion is giving and our community is the benefactor. I have learned from his example that it truly is better to give than receive.

Finally, I would like to dedicate this book to all of our employees, past, present, and future. Your ultimate commitment and loyalty have made this seventieth celebration possible for your company. Our family has enjoyed working with you. Thank you!