Company Founder Retires From Sellars Absorbent Materials

John Sellars, founder of Sellars Absorbent Materials, has retired from day-to-day activities at the company.

After 38 years, company founder John Sellars has retired from his day-to-day role at Sellars Absorbent Materials. Sellars will continue as a member of the company’s board of directors and will provide consulting services to the company for the next two years.

Sellars started the company in 1985, working out of his garage and basement. He grew the Milwaukee, WI-based business to become a national leader in the production of wipes, absorbents and towel and tissue products with 200 employees.

“Throughout the years, he provided vision, leadership and innovation and forged long-term relationships with Home Depot, Lowes, Menards, Uline, Medline, Bridgestone/Firestone, Cintas, Deere, CAT and Walmart,” according to a press release.

“Years ago, one of our customers told me the Sellars’ name was like a handshake because it was something he could always count on,” John Sellars said. “I’m proud of the reputation we’ve built in the marketplace and the recognizable brands we’ve created.”

“Sellars, along with his son Ryan, was instrumental in developing and building Sellars’ TOOLBOX^® and Mayfair^® brands nationwide and in creating and patenting the company’s innovative products,” the released added. “Significant products include the Big Grip Dispenser that houses Clean Task^™ professional cleaning towels and can be wall-hung for convenience and the Q-Cel absorbent core that’s made from recycled materials and used in the company’s TOOLBOX DuraSoak^® and TOOLBOX EverSoak^® sorbents.

“From 2002-2008, Sellars led an initiative to co-brand the company’s products with the NASCAR logo at a time when the racing circuit was at its height of popularity. The campaign helped open doors with national retailers in a variety of channels.”

John’s brother, Tom Sellars, who joined the company in 1999, is the current CEO and chairman of the Sellars’ board of directors.

Visit sellars.com.