Jeff Wisdom, Wisdom Adhesives Chairman and CEO.

2009 Illinois Family Business of the Year

It is with great honor and pride that I am writing to you today. Wisdom Adhesives was named 2009 Illinois Family Business of the Year by Loyola University Chicago’s Family Business Center. It is very humbling to me personally to even be considered for, let along win, this prestigious award. Many companies were worthy of this award, and we were very fortunate to be selected. We were chosen because of our dedication to our employees, our contributions to our community and our growth as a business.

All of us at Wisdom are proud of what we have accomplished, realizing that this award comes to us because of all the generations of Wisdom Adhesives family and employees who set the standards and established the foundation of the company we are today. Through good times and bad, Wisdom has always put our customers first.

I would also like to use this column to thank Loyola University’s Family Business Center, the participating judges, the sponsors of the event, all of our current and past Wisdom employees, our valued vendor partners and of course our most important asset . . . you, our customers!

The true measure of any company is not the success enjoyed during good times but how well the company survives during difficult times. Let me assure you now, that we at Wisdom have a very strong resolve to not only survive, but thrive, during the difficult times. Our basic premise has always been to treat our customers well and success will follow. This has been our motto throughout our 135 years of business and one we will always follow. You, our customers, are our first priority.

Best wishes to all of you for a happy holiday season and a healthy and prosperous new year!