Saying Goodbye and Thank You to CFO and Treasurer Marlin Adams
Marlin D. Adams has been a guiding light for Pro-Form Custom Packaging from the start. He co-founded our company with President Andrew Nehrt in 1995, and has served as the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer ever since.
With his legacy cemented through the growth and expansion of the company, Marlin is retiring at the end of 2025 and we hope you join us in saying goodbye and thank you to this pillar of our company.
Two Outstanding Careers
Marlin earned his BA in accounting from Indiana University and an MBA in Business Administration and Management from Xavier University. Fresh out of college, he started his career at automotive manufacturer Cummins and spent a lifetime there — 30 years.
At Cummins, he served first as Finance Director and then U.S. Manufacturing Controller. Over the years, he gained experience in marketing, engineering, design, materials engineering, purchasing, finance, accounting, manufacturing management and logistics.
He was set to retire for the first time in 1995. Then he met Andrew Nehrt and plans changed when he decided to start his second act.
Get Business First, Grow Later
Almost immediately after his retirement, Marlin was helping a farmer friend with tax accounting when Andrew rolled up on a plow. The two had actually met before when Andrew came to Cummins to sell plastic skids. Andrew mentioned a packaging business idea he’d had and asked Marlin if he’d be interested.
“Right off the bat, we had something special,” says Marlin. “We agreed to split the partnership 50/50, which people told us was a mistake, but we had an immediate trust and understanding.”
Marlin and Andrew had a simple approach to what was first known as Pro-Form Plastics: get business first and then grow. They hired one employee and bought a vacuum former. Marlin would run the machine while Andrew travelled to generate sales. Those were the early days, but soon the small plastics operation in Columbus, Indiana, evolved into a full-scale custom packaging manufacturer.
Through Thick and Thin
The once-small operation with just a handful of employees and limited equipment has grown into two full-scale facilities offering die-cutting, thermoforming, custom wood shipping containers and assembly. The company’s footprint has expanded not only in size, but in the sophistication of the solutions it delivers.
There were down times, but Marlin’s simple accounting model and conservative approach to money management kept the company moving. During the Great Recession of 2007-2009 they tightened their belts and didn’t buy any new equipment — but they kept delivering for customers.
“Marlin has always had a knack for connecting financial insight to real-world manufacturing decisions,” says Trey DeHart, Vice President of Business Development. “He helped us invest wisely and scale sustainably.”
In 2017, the company expanded its capacity by moving from a 32,000-square-foot facility to a 120,000-square foot one.
According to Marlin, “We were successful by always putting the customers first. Andrew always said our business was about not just customer satisfaction but customer delight.”
Pro-Form powered through the COVID years with Marlin and Andrew’s leadership. Sales continued to climb into 2024, and as Pro-Form upgraded and welcomed new faces, Marlin knew the company would be in good hands if he stepped back.
Retirement Doesn’t Mean Slowing Down
Not that Marlin has ever been one to sit still for long. He still co-owns A&N Investments, a financial services company that owns commercial real estate. He continues to offer agricultural tax services for local farmers from his home office. He’s served as chairman of several banks over the years, including Centra, 5/3, Union Federal and Citizens. And his hobbies keep him busy too, playing the accordion in a band and teaching music for the last 25 years.
Of course, he can never really stay away from Pro-Form.
“I’ll be around,” he says with a laugh. “I’ve worked in the corporate world. And I’ve been an entrepreneur. And both have had exciting challenges. But I’ve been blessed to work with Andrew, and I can’t wait to see where the Pro-Form team goes next.”
Thank You, Marlin
Marlin may be stepping back from day-to-day operations, but his influence is in Pro-Form’s DNA.
“Marlin Adams is more than a CFO. He’s been a mentor, problem-solver and friend to me and everyone at Pro-Form,” says Andrew Nehrt. “His dedication, integrity and passion for excellence have set a standard that will guide the company for years to come.”
Thank you, Marlin, from all of the team at Pro-Form Custom Packaging!
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