KMDI is proud to be a second-generation family-owned business. Founded by Richard Kester and his sons, today KMDI is owned by Richard’s son Will Kester. Since 1983, KMDI has fabricated architectural elements for many of the leading designers, architects and corporations in the United States and Canada. MicroLite!™, created by the principals of KMDI, is our lightweight, seamless, and fully encapsulated composite.
We’ve been building high-quality, custom indoor fixtures for 40 years. There’s truly no one else who has the same depth of experience to do what we do, and MicroLite!™ is a big reason why.
While building trade show exhibits in KMDI’s early days, Richard and his sons saw too many problems with traditional building materials of the time. They were heavy, inconsistent, and offered limited design possibilities. That’s when they developed MicroLite!™ as a lightweight and versatile alternative for custom fabrications.
From humble beginnings in Kansas City, Kansas to building custom installations for globally recognized brands, our dedication to our work has remained the same.
Meet the TeamWhat We Do
The craftsmen of KMDI specialize in creating and constructing interior architectural elements and visual merchandising for designers of retail and commercial environments.
We are best known for our MicroLite!™ technology. As the originators of PVC encapsulated fabrication, Kester’s International has perfected the ability for virtually anything to be made with this unique material.
Combining significant time and cost savings with lightweight, durability, impeccable quality and limitless finishing options, MicroLite!™ is the preferred material for the construction of practically any size, configuration and quantity of interior signs, fascia, soffits, displays, canopies, decorative elements, etc.
All of these many features can be designed with virtually no size or shape limitation. To add to that creative freedom, KMDI can apply the exact finish specification such as paint, wallpaper, laminate, fabric, wood veneer, vinyl and more. In addition, MicroLite!™ is available as a Class A fire-rated or impact-resistant composite. If you can draw it, KMDI can build it.
In addition to the unexcelled capabilities of our craftsmen and the attributes of MicroLite!™, the other reason many retailers enjoy working with KMDI Is our understanding of what is important to them. With over 120 years of combined visual merchandising experience represented by the three top people in the company, KMDI understands the vital Importance of producing a quality product that creates sales, solves problems, installs easily and quickly, and enhances your space to have a lasting “WOW” factor for all that see it.
What We Make
Our Process
MicroLite!™ elements are fabricated in our Kansas City, KS headquarters, and our production methods ensure absolute consistency of fabrication—something which traditional construction methods cannot offer. All electrical and lighting components can be pre-installed, as well. The completed project will then arrive on site ready for a simple and fast installation.
On-site, MicroLite!™ architectural features can take only hours to install, unlike the many days or weeks associated with typical construction methods. There is also no construction mess to clean up or dispose of after installation, and MicroLite!™ is composed of up to 35% post-consumer recycled materials.
Whether the project is a completely custom one-off or a multi-store rollout program, KMDI has the capability and capacity to take your project from concept to completion. We also work collaboratively with end users, architects and designers, contractors, and consultants to make sure our builds will seamlessly integrate with your vision and capabilities.
How We Work with You