RUCO PRODUCTS, INC.
Ruco Products, Inc. 2620 SW US Highway 40 Blue Springs, MO 64015
Custom Plastic Injection Molding
Brenda K. Rupert, President
Brenda began working in the family business in 1977 and is now the third generation owner. As the leader of a woman owned enterprise she runs a tight ship. Brenda’s philosophy that we are one big extended family, creates relationships, opens communication, promotes teamwork and builds success.
Brenda is half of the team that has made Ruco a Missouri Certified Women’s Business Enterprise and she is also a Board Director on the Kansas City Chapter of the NTMA.
Brenda spends most of her day directing the activities at the Ruco East facility and helping in the recovery and rehabilitation of wayward animals.
Derek Kirkpatrick, Vice President
Derek started with Ruco in 1984 as an hourly operator and has worked up through the ranks. Derek is instrumental in developing new business opportunities, new tool design, engineering and new equipment acquisition.
Derek was raised in a military family and spent significant portions of his childhood overseas and finally ending up living in Kirksville, Missouri.
Derek is a big NASCAR fan and religiously follows his favorites, Clint Bowyer, Chase Elliot, Kyle Larson and Carl Edwards.
Edward Robinson, Operations Manager
Ed has been with Ruco since 1995 and brought with him a background in electronics. He manages the daily planning, scheduling and production operations. Ed has also put his electronic knowledge to good use in assisting Ruco in integration of custom equipment for specialty operations and repair of existing production machinery when the electronics go on the fritz.
On weekends, evenings or any spare moment you will probably find Ed in his boat in search of that bigger Bass.
Mark Tangblade, Business Manager
Mark joined Ruco in 2005 after serving as an IT consultant for the previous year and has implemented Ruco’s Enterprise Management System. Beyond his Information Technology responsibilities, Mark is responsible for business cost accounting, forecasting, marketing efforts and keeping management informed on the state of the business.
Mark is into his grandchildren, all 13 of them, and spends lots of time participating in family events.
Melissa Burns, Service & Distribution Manager
Melissa came onboard to Ruco in 1991. She has built excellent relations with our customers and is our people person. Along with Customer Service Melissa handles the daily detail of Shipping and Receiving, Purchasing and is our chief organizer in charge. If you have an organization project, just call Melissa.
Melissa is our Harley ‘mama’ and on nice days will cruise into work on her custom trike.
Trish Lackey, Human Resource Manager
Trish has many years of experience in the Human Resources and provides Ruco with a wealth of knowledge and ability in this position.
Trish is very active in programs that support our troops overseas, making sure that their sacrifice is not taken for granted nor forgotten.
We want all people associated with Ruco to feel welcome and very much a part of our big extended family.
Lisa Brennan, Night Shift Supervisor
Lisa started at Ruco in August of 1999 and assumed the responsibility of night shift operations as Supervisor in September of 2011. Lisa has done an outstanding job of keeping the night shift under control, productive and insync with day operations.
Lisa really enjoys spending time with her family especially her husband and son when not at work, and during the summer its likely you will see Lisa at Oceans of Fun!
Mark Bossert, Facility Manager
Mark started with Ruco in June 2005 as the Facility Manager and is responsible for managing the building and grounds maintenance/renovation, equipment repair & installation, mold service and repair as well as all the responsibility that falls on a guy that can fix anything. Ruco would not be the same without Mark’s skills at putting broken things back together.
In his spare time Mark likes to just hang out with his wife, kids and grandchildren and do his favorite thing....fix their broken stuff!
Nadine Lozano, Manufacturing Coordinator
Nadine started at Ruco in 2004. She worked in our Redisep group and eventually supervised that operation. Nadine now coordinates all manufacturing efforts from the Molding Operations to the Assembly Room. She keeps Operations organized, and efficient.
Nadine likes to spend time with her grandchildren and enjoys being an empty nester with her husband.
Jill R. Kowalik, Secretary/Treasurer
Jill, the other half of the Missouri Certified WBE team, started working in the family business shortly after Brenda but left the day to day operations when it was time to pursue a different job. The new job consisted of supporting her husband, Ray Kowalik, in his career and raising her daugher Sabrina. Jill has been very successful, Ray has recently become CEO of Burns & McDonnell and Sabrina has graduated Cum Laude earning a BS in Engineering and will soon start on her MBA at Missouri University.
Jill is now involved in volunteer work for a number of organizations including the American Heart Association.
