Consumer >> CEO Interviews >> April 10, 2000
WILLIAM L. MILLER founded Duncan Hill in 1977 and has been a Director,
President and Chief Executive Officer since then. He holds a Bachelor's
Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University and a Master's
Degree in Business Administration from Indiana University. Mr. Miller,
with the assistance of his wife, Jeanne E. Miller, started Duncan Hill
Limited in the basement of their home in Hartville, Ohio, with his
patented invention of the 'Aerosphere' Smoking System. Duncan Hill Co.,
Ltd., was organized under Ohio law in 1977 for the purpose of developing
and marketing a designer line of smoking pipes, tobacco and accessories.
The Duncan Hill Group consists of Kids Stuff, Inc., and The Havana
Group, Inc. Kids Stuff Inc., is made up of The Perfectly Safe Catalogue,
Jeannie's Kids Club Catalogue, The Natural Baby Catalogue, and the Kids
Catalogue Outlet Retail Store. Mr. Miller has been Chairman of the Board
of Directors of the company, and its Chief Executive Officer, since its
formation. In April 1988, The Perfectly Safe Catalogue was purchased and
moved to Ohio from Wisconsin. Perfectly Safe, 'The Catalogue For Parents
Who Care'' is the nation's only catalogue devoted to child safety,
child-proofing the home, and safety-related products for the family. The
company developed and produced Jeannie's Kids Club Catalogue in June of
1995 to broaden its market and to introduce a new direct marketing
concept in children's products. Jeannie's Kids Club offers parents of
young children who become members the opportunity of saving up to 60%
compared with the same products in other popular children's catalogues.
In July of 1997, the company purchased The Natural Baby Catalogue and
moved it from Trenton, New Jersey. The purchase of Natural Baby was made
possible by a public offering of Kids Stuff, Inc. Mr. Miller is also the
President and a director of E.A. Carey of Ohio, and Highland Pipe
Company, both of which are wholly owned subsidiaries of Duncan Hill.
Duncan Hill and its subsidiaries moved to its present facilities in
October 1996. Profile
describe what you see as the business and company today.
Mr. Miller: First of all, let me define our company. Kids Stuff is
