Ken Cook

What Ken Cook does

Ken Cook Co. (KCC) is a privately held technical communications services provider founded in 1944 and headquartered in New Berlin, Wisconsin. The company delivers print, training, and creative services to manufacturers and operators across construction equipment, agriculture, automotive, marine, industrial manufacturing, and medical end markets. Service offerings center on three platforms and capabilities: Media1Off, an on-demand print fulfillment platform; Ken Cook TDS, a SaaS technical delivery system; and Smartfolio, a mobile content distribution platform — all supported by a 36,000 sq ft production facility housing eight high-speed digital printers and global fulfillment distribution.

The business operates three revenue streams: transaction-based Print Services (on-demand manuals, parts books, and technical documentation); Training Services (eLearning, instructor-led programs, and AR/VR-enabled courses compliant with xAPI/SCORM standards); and Creative Services (technical illustration, 3D animation, and localization). Pricing is quote-based and contract-anchored, with multi-year enterprise agreements in place with named customers including Bobcat (Doosan), Volvo Car USA, John Deere, Yaskawa, Waukesha Gas Engines (INNIO), BoatUS Foundation, and Mt. Olive Family Medical. The go-to-market motion is sales-led, supplemented by an active Knowledge Hub and membership in industry associations including AEM, FEMA, NMMA, ABYC, WSIA, ASME, and SAE. Ownership and executive leadership transitioned in 2019 to Greg King (CEO/President) and Brad Uelmen (EVP); ISO certifications were achieved in 2003, 2009, and 2015; and the headcount band is 11–50 employees.

Name

Ken Cook

Legal name

Ken Cook Co.

Website

https://kencook.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1944

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Ken Cook Co. is a privately held, Wisconsin-based technical communications services provider founded in 1944, delivering on-demand print, training, and creative content to manufacturers across construction, agriculture, automotive, marine, industrial, and medical end markets via its Media1Off, TDS, and Smartfolio platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

New Berlin

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Print Services: On-demand printing, variable-data and specialized printing, printing through digital storefronts, local and global fulfillment and distribution. Includes bindery services, kit building, and document fulfillment.
2. Training Services: Custom training solutions including concept formation, design, and implementation; eLearning solutions; Learning Management Systems (LMS) support and customization; training delivery across multiple formats including instructor-led, video, and AR/VR.
3. Creative Services: Desktop publishing and design, technical editing, language translation, custom software solutions, mobile and eCommerce applications, technical illustrations, CAD, and safety messaging.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Ken Cook Co. is a single-source provider of print, training, and creative services for technical communications serving manufacturers across construction, agriculture, automotive, marine, manufacturing, and medical industries. The company produces technical manuals, parts catalogs, training materials, eLearning courses, and product documentation, supported by proprietary platforms including Ken Cook TDS (Technical Delivery System), Media1Off print-on-demand system, Smartfolio mobile delivery, and Digital Storefront e-commerce.

Product overview

Ken Cook Co. is a single-source provider of print, training, and creative services for technical communications. The company's portfolio includes core platforms Ken Cook TDS (Technical Delivery System) for just-in-time technical information delivery and Media1Off for print-on-demand services. These are supported by three main service categories: Print Services (on-demand printing, digital storefronts, fulfillment, bindery), Training Services (eLearning, LMS, analytics, technical training, content creation, delivery), and Creative Services (desktop publishing, technical editing, translations, illustrations, safety messaging). Additional specialized solutions include Smartfolio mobile delivery, Vendor-Managed Inventory, and various digital storefront and commerce solutions. The company serves marine, construction, agriculture, manufacturing, automotive, and medical industries with comprehensive technical documentation and communication solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Media1Off: Print-on-demand service system capable of producing printed materials, CDs, and DVDs one at a time on demand. Has saved customers substantial costs for nearly two decades.
• Ken Cook TDS (Technical Delivery System)
• Smartfolio

Products and services

• Ken Cook TDS (Technical Delivery System)

Quantifiable outcome

• Media1Off® has saved customers substantial costs per year for nearly two decades
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Tech Comm NewsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKen Cook Co. is a proud sponsor of Tech Comm News, a resource for professionals in heavy equipment, automotive, and marine industries providing updates on technical communications and industry insights.
• ABYC (American Boat and Yacht Council)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive membership serving on various marine industry safety committees, granting deeper understanding of special compliance needs in the marine industry.
• NMMA (National Marine Manufacturers Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive membership in the marine industry trade association supporting industry standards and safety initiatives.
• WSIA (Water Sports Industry Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive membership participating in marine industry safety committees and standards development.
• AEM (Association of Equipment Manufacturers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive participation and sponsorship of the Product Safety Seminar, leadership in planning committee, development of operator safety training programs, and building e-commerce storefronts for manuals and training materials.
• FEMA (Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProud members supporting the agricultural equipment industry through advocacy and education.
• Progressive Agriculture FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSponsor promoting farm safety through education, training and resources to make farm, ranch, and rural life safer and healthier for children and communities.
• ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-time member and supporter contributing to industry standards in manufacturing.
• SAE International (Society of Automotive Engineers)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProud supporter with contribution to Milwaukee Chapter driving industry standards among members.
• Wisconsin Manufacturers AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember association supporting Wisconsin manufacturing industry.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• MadCap Software: Technical authoring and content management software vendor used by technical writers producing equipment manuals and operator guides; an enabling technology layer adjacent to Ken Cook TDS content authoring services.
• SDL Trados / RWS Trados: Translation memory and terminology management platform commonly used by technical communicators and localization teams serving manufacturers; an enabling tool ecosystem that competes for the technology budget surrounding Ken Cook Co.'s translation services.

Emerging players

• Shutterstock Custom (formerly Custom Content Solutions): Provides managed content production and creative services for enterprise marketing and technical communications; intersects with Ken Cook Co.'s creative/desktop publishing capabilities.

Direct peers

• OneTouchPoint: Print and marketing services provider offering print-on-demand, document fulfillment, and bindery for mid-market and enterprise clients; comparable to Ken Cook Co.'s Print Services category.
• GP Strategies: Corporate training, technical training, and learning content provider serving industrial and manufacturing clients; directly comparable to Ken Cook Co.'s training and eLearning services for OEM customers.
• Accruent: Provider of software and content services for asset and equipment documentation, parts catalogs, and service information management; competes with Ken Cook TDS for the same OEM technical content workflows.

Broad incumbents

• TransPerfect: Global language services and content management company serving enterprises including manufacturers; competes with Ken Cook Co.'s translation and technical content work but at vastly larger scale across many verticals.
• RWS Group (formerly SDL): Language, translation, and structured content management provider with deep enterprise OEM relationships; overlaps directly with Ken Cook Co.'s technical authoring, translation, and content delivery offerings.
• Lionbridge: Translation, localization, and content services firm serving manufacturing and industrial clients; competes with Ken Cook Co.'s translation and creative services for similar OEM customers.
• RR Donnelley (RRD): Major commercial printing, marketing communications, and document services provider; competes with Ken Cook Co.'s print-on-demand and technical documentation print services at significantly larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/KenCookCo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kencookco

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Ken Cook