2023 Private Label Hall of Fame: Colleen Purcell Kangas, Purcell International
16 leaders from the world of private brands were recently honored as the newest inductees to the Private Label Hall of Fame.
During a ceremony held during the Private Label Manufacturers Association’s (PLMA) Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference in Orlando, Fla., members of the Class of 2023 shared stories of the challenges each has overcome to succeed in a highly competitive industry.
Created in 2006 to recognize those who have made significant contributions to the growth and development of the global private brand industry, this year’s event featured updated categories that each included two retail and two supplier honorees. The categories are Next Gen Private Label Leader, Private Brand Innovator, Private Brand Champion and Lifetime Achievement.
“We proudly celebrate the outstanding achievements of these proven leaders and innovators,” said Peggy Davies, president of PLMA. “Their hard work and dedication are instrumental to the success of the store brands business.”
“The 16 honorees represent the best of the best from across the world of private label and showcase the depth of talent the industry has to offer,” said Greg Sleter, executive editor and associate publisher of Store Brands. “This august group of retailers and suppliers have had a major impact on the private label business and will continue to do so in the years ahead.”
This special section features profiles of each of the new Hall of Famers.
Colleen Purcell Kangas
President
Purcell International
Next Generation
Colleen Purcell Kangas joined her family business, Purcell International, full-time in 2008 as VP of the Shelf Stable division, where she was responsible for all logistics functions including importation and clearances of shipments, key strategic sourcing partnerships domestically and overseas, private label accounts and more.
In 2021, Purcell Kangas was promoted as president of the company and continued to thrive, helping lead the private label supplier of meat, fish, vegetables, fruit and juices through the difficult supply chain challenges of the pandemic.
Her leadership qualities were evident early on, even before entering the corporate world. On the field, her soccer teams were consistently top ranked and she was team captain, providing inspiration and leadership to her teammates. In the classroom, she was ranked at the top of her class and was a regular participant in various school activities.
Having grown up in the industry, Purcell Kangas has a unique viewpoint and experience, leveraging her youth and familiarity with software, computers and social media to create advanced opportunities for Purcell International, especially for its private label business. By the time she entered college, she had not only helped develop a successful natural and organic arm of the company, but grew it to a multi-million-dollar wing.
To this day, Purcell Kangas strives to streamline, modernize, and grow the third-generation, woman-owned business through custom programs and product innovation, and her youth makes her a major asset for the company, founded in 1954.