Leaders in the Making
Growing People the Kiefer Sage Way
Kiefer Sage CEO, Justin Sparks and Kiefer Sage team members
At Kiefer Sage, our story has always started with people. In 1983, it was a grandmother who needed independence at the grocery store. That moment sparked the invention of Martcart™ – the world’s first electric shopping scooter – and with it, a new way of thinking about innovation.
Every product since then, from Spraymaster™ to Jotto Desk®, has followed the same pattern: listen carefully, notice what others overlook, and build with empathy. Today, that same mindset shapes not only what we create, but how we grow the people behind it.
From Products to People – A New Kind of Innovation
This year, CEO Justin Sparks launched a leadership cohort to give employees the chance to stretch themselves in new ways. The first group came together to learn, share, and put leadership into practice.
One of their projects – designing and adapting custom ride-on cars for children through the UAMS GoBabyGo program – reminded us that leadership is less about authority. Often times, leadership is more about rolling up your sleeves for the sake of someone else. It’s about asking questions, solving problems, and serving together.
Kiefer Sage leadership cohort designs a ride-along vehicle for children with limited mobility
Lessons from the Past – Why Leadership Matters Now
Our history shows that innovation doesn’t come from playing it safe. Bill Sage, our founder, didn’t settle for makeshift solutions for his grandmother; he built something new. That same spirit is what makes leadership development so important.
When people are given tools and opportunities to grow, they discover strengths they didn’t know they had. They gain confidence. They learn how to think differently and to help those around them do the same. In the long run, that’s what fuels strong teams and lasting progress.
A Cohort Today – A Legacy Tomorrow
The leadership cohort is just one step, but it points to the kind of company we want to be. We don’t just build products – we build leaders. Whether on the production floor, in design, or in management, we want every employee to leave Kiefer Sage better equipped than when they arrived.
That commitment is part of our legacy. Just as Martcart™ transformed a family’s shopping trip and grew into a global impact, we believe the leaders we grow today will shape the innovations of tomorrow.
Martcart™ assembly line gathering
Growing Innovators, Growing People
For more than four decades, our intent has been clear: serve the overlooked and create solutions that matter. That doesn’t stop with the products we build. It carries into how we grow the people who build them.
Moving forward, the Kiefer Sage purpose is clear – to grow leaders who grow businesses that make a difference. We’re excited to build the future!