Jenkins Enterprises Inc.

Jenkins Enterprises Inc. of North Little Rock has grown from a part-time family business to a international company with annual sales exceeding $5 million.

“We have found a good formula,” says Steve Jenkins, president of the company. “It seems to be working.”

The company is a wholesale distributor of general merchandise such as giftware, novelties, souvenirs, toys, imprinted apparel and officially licensed collegiate products. Jenkins sells its products to about 3,500 stores in 48 states and Guam, Okinawa, Turkey, Puerto Rico and Germany.

From its beginnings in the living room of the home of Allen and Kay Jenkins in 1976, the company has grown to more than 80,000 SF of warehouse and office space. The elder Jenkinses have officially retired but remain involved with the daily operations of the company, Steve Jenkins says.

“Without them, none of this would have happened,” he says.

The company has grown by an average annual rate of about 20 percent. Last year, its annual sales increased by $1 million. Last year also was the company’s first year to sell its products in Germany, which added about $100,000 to the company’s revenue.

“There’s a lot of call for our type of products over there,” he says.

Despite the growth, the company retains its family ownership and management. Mark Jenkins, one of the sons, is the vice president of operations. Julie Jenkins, Steve’s wife, is the office manager. Carter Wallace, who married the Jenkinses’ daughter, is vice president of purchasing and sales.

The company acquired Ozark Postcard Co. of St. Louis in 1997 and expanded into the Branson, Mo., market. Jenkins says the company is considering other acquisitions this year.

Jenkins Enterprises was named the North Little Rock Business of the Year by the North Little Rock Chamber of Commerce last year.

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