What would Stan Avery think? Reflecting on 90 years of Avery Dennison

Global Communications

May 28, 2025

What would Stan Avery think? Reflecting on 90 years of Avery Dennison

We're honoring the legacy of our founder Stan Avery and his invention of the world’s first self-adhesive label. A true innovator, his vision not only pioneered an industry, but also shaped the values that continue to guide our company today. To mark our 90th anniversary milestone, we asked our Company Leadership Team: What would Stan think? Here's how they responded.

Learn more about how we’re Making Possible™ here.

I’m pretty sure that Stan Avery, if he were here today, would be just amazed at the transformation, the scale and the size of the business he helped create all those years ago. I also think he would see four things that remain unchanged from when he started the company: A passion for customers; a real zeal and enthusiasm for innovation and an ability to create differentiation; the ability where everybody puts the team and others before themselves, the fact that we are such a great team together; and finally, this fierce determination to win, which I think he’d love as well.

Deon Stander

President and Chief Executive Officer

90 years ago, Stan Avery invented a product that, today, sits on almost every product in the world and represents a multi billion dollar industry! He did this while also focusing on building a high-integrity, sustainable organization with a family-like feel that has thrived for generations. Ninety years later, I think he would be happy to see the continuous evolution of the business (the ‘what’) and, even more important, the culture we hold and our approach to business and people (‘the how’). To another fulfilling 90 years!

Danny Allouche

Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy &
Corporate Development Officer

Stan Avery continues to inspire me everyday, to ensure we continue living true to our values, making a difference in our communities while delivering value for all of our stakeholders. I am so proud to be part of the Avery Dennison team continuing Stan’s legacy as we focus on Making Possible for the next 90 years.

Deena Baker-Nel

Senior Vice President and

Chief Human Resources Officer

From a $100 loan to a Fortune 500 company, Avery Dennison's story is one of courageous vision and commitment to innovation. Stan Avery, who believed in empowering employees to grow, would be amazed by the breadth of industries we touch today. He'd take pride in our dedication to our people and our planet, and our focus on Making Possible solutions for the future.

Michael Barton

Senior Vice President and

General Manager, Apparel Solutions

90 years of innovation, integrity, and unwavering values. Stan Avery's vision continues to inspire us as we connect the physical and digital worlds, tackle today’s most complex challenges, and stay committed to doing the right thing. Here’s to the foundation he built and the future we’re shaping together.

Pankaj Bhardwaj

Vice President and General Manager,

Asia, Middle East and Africa

Stan Avery would be amazed by the breadth of industries in which we participate, and would be proud that we retain the values on which he started Avery Dennison—integrity, external focus and innovation—at our core. And like all of us, he would be incredibly excited about what we will be Making Possible over the next 90 years.

Michael Colarossi

Head of Enterprise Sustainability

Stan Avery built this company on a foundation of integrity and ingenuity—and I believe he’d be proud to see those same values alive and thriving today. From groundbreaking innovations in materials science to our unwavering commitment to doing what’s right, Avery Dennison continues to grow with purpose. Our people carry Stan’s legacy forward every day—by challenging the status quo, embracing bold ideas, and delivering with heart.

Nick Colisto

Senior Vice President and

Chief Information Officer

Stan Avery would be proud to see what we've built together over the past 90 years. Our values guide how we do business, helping us cultivate an engaged and talented team around the globe that are passionate about listening to and supporting our customers, and committed to solving complex challenges related to sustainability, efficient supply chains, waste reduction, and consumer engagement.

Isabela Galli

Vice President and General Manager,

Latin America

Ninety years is a testament to enduring quality and innovation. Stan would be thrilled to see his legacy extended across the globe, particularly in the dynamic markets of China, Korea and Japan. Our partnerships with local industries and our commitment to sustainable practices in these regions would surely fill him with pride.

Johnny Gao

Vice President and General Manager,

North Asia

Stan Avery started the company with an innovative idea that ultimately created the multi-billion dollar markets that we compete in today. I am sure he would be proud to see how his legacy of innovation has evolved – as we have expanded his initial idea into new areas, like intelligent labels, graphic materials, tapes, apparel embellishments and more. I also think he would be very proud to see that we remain a values-based company, and despite being a large, F500 company, we continue to operate in many ways like a family business!

Greg Lovins

Senior Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

While Stan would undoubtedly celebrate our industry leadership and how we are creating and enabling new businesses, he'd be most proud of our unwavering commitment to values. We've reinforced that 'how' we operate is as critical as 'what' we achieve. This dedication towards our people, teams and the broader definition of sustainability, is what truly sets us apart.

Our core values remain the bedrock of our success, a testament to Stan's enduring vision.

Roger Machado

Vice President and General Manager,

Avery Dennison Smartrac

Stan Avery envisioned a company that was known for its principles as much as its products. Ninety years later, he would be immensely proud that Avery Dennison, now a global organization of over 35,000, remains united by a common set of values. Given his innovative spirit, he would also be thrilled to see the positive impact our Intelligent Labels innovations have in solving our clients' biggest challenges.

Francisco Melo

President, Solutions Group

Although much has changed over the past 90 years, I have no doubt that Stan would be delighted to see our unwavering focus on solving problems for our clients.

Ned Peverley

Vice President and General Manager,

Vestcom

Kick-started by one man’s vision and driven by purpose, for nine decades, Avery Dennison has thrived on the principles established by Stan Avery – problem solving, entrepreneurship, innovation and collaboration. He didn’t just invent a product – he sparked an industry. That spirit lives on in our people, our partners and everything we create. Today, we’re shaping the future with evolving technologies that solve real-world challenges – building a world that’s more sustainable, productive and innovative.

Our legacy inspires us. Our future drives us.

Anil Sharma

Senior Vice President and General Manager,

North America

Ninety years ago, Stan and Dorothy's courageous vision transformed an industry. Today, they would be immensely proud as our teams lead a new wave of transformation, solving today's most complex challenges. Their legacy fuels our accomplishments, our leadership and, most importantly, the enduring values that shape who we are and who we strive to become.

Julie Vargas

Vice President and General Manager,

Identification Solutions

I have no doubt that Stan Avery, known as the Gentle Giant, would be extremely proud of the company Avery Dennison has become – to see his original label products and technology become today’s Avery Dennison with its unique position to connect the physical and digital worlds; to know Avery Dennison remains a values-based company that always does the right thing and leads in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. Those things are a testament to the foundation he established and would make him incredibly proud.

Ignacio Walker

Senior Vice President and

Chief Legal Officer

Stan, as a true pioneer and visionary, would be proud to see how Avery Dennison has grown from a single bright idea into a global leader. He’d see his spirit of innovation alive and thriving, as we continue to push the limits of advanced materials and intelligent labeling. He’d take pride in our deep commitment to sustainability, as a core part of who we are, and he’d be inspired by our people and culture grounded in integrity, collaboration and diversity and putting people first.

Above all, Stan would stand proud of our bold new vision, one that honors his legacy and drives us forward with purpose into the next 90 years, Making Possible every innovation breakthrough, every sustainable milestone, and empowering each of our employees.

Pascale Wautelet

Vice President Global R&D and

Sustainability, Materials Group

Ninety years ago, Stan Avery's innovative spirit sparked a revolution in labeling, a legacy that continues to shape industries today. Beyond the groundbreaking self-adhesive label, Stan's commitment to fostering a caring and supportive workplace has been equally impactful. This dual focus on pioneering technology and prioritizing employee well-being has created a lasting foundation of success, a testament to the enduring power of innovation coupled with genuine human connection. Happy 90th Anniversary!

Ryan Yost

President, Materials Group

Interim VP/GM Materials Group, EMENA

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