2017 New Century Club Members

2017 will see the following 13 companies added to the roster of U.S. Century Club companies. Some have changed quite a bit over the last 100 years but 3/4 of them have remained privately owned - three are in the 4th generation of family ownership, one is 3rd generation, and one is 5th generation. These companies represent a range of industries, though a surprising 1/4 are wholesale grocers; two are retail (one apparel, one bookstore), one law firm, one bank, one architecture & engineering firm, two manufacturers (office products and specialty trucks), and two produce food & beverage products (steaks and wine). I'll be adding more specific information on each company over the next few weeks as well as featuring them on twitter (@vtenhaken). As always, I welcome information on companies you know that have reached the 100 year milestone and will look forward to adding them to the Century Club!

Books-A-Million

Central Grocers

Fellowes Inc.

G&L Clothing

HDR, Inc.

Omaha Steaks

Oshkosh Corp

Parker Hannifin

San Antonio Winery

SpartanNash

Sunsweet Growers

Vinson & Elkins

Washington Federal

   

New Century Club Companies

Many thanks to the many people who have purchased my book or read this blog and contacted me (centuryclubcompanies@gmail.com) about a company they know of or work for that has been in business for over 100 years. I love adding companies to my data base and it is so encouraging to hear that these companies I hadn't included in my research also exhibit the management philosophy and practices of other Century Club Companies.

Here are a few of the recent additions:

Schantz Organ Company (1873) Orville, OH Pipe organ builder

W.H. Fay (1887) Cleveland, OH Trucking 

Afro-American Newspapers (1892) Baltimore, MD Publishing

Galatoire's (1905) New Orleans, LA Restaurant

Interlake Steamship Company (1913) Middleburg Heights, OH Great Lakes shipping

Attman's (1915) Baltimore, MD Delicatessen

Bauer, Inc. (1916) Bristol, CT Test and support equipment for aircraft component maintenance

All have interesting stories, so be sure to check them out!

"A Century Club Company That Operates Like a Tech Start-Up"

Century Club company Independent Stave is a great example of longevity factor #2: unique core strengths combined with change management. Based in Lebanon, Missouri, Independent Stave is the world's largest barrel manufacturer for wine, whiskey, and beer - an industry that relies on barrels for aging their product.



Founded in 1912 by T.W. Boswell, Independent Stave is now run by fourth-generation Boswell siblings. When the company began, it just produced staves - the slats that make up a barrel. It wasn't until 1951 that it opened its own cooperage, aimed at the expanding US whiskey industry. Rather than simply "setting the barrels on fire" to age them (the norm for US barrel manufacturers), the Boswell then in charge began the company's efforts to update the low-tech process with various engineered quality-control systems and dived deep into the science of wood aging. The result is what the New York Times called "a company that makes an age-old product but operates like a tech start-up." (See the NYT August 28, 2016 for the full article on Independent Stave.)

As with most Century Club companies, Independent Stave would not have survived for over 100 years without building on their unique core strengths, making improvements that keep them ahead of the competition. For more information about this competency (factor #2 in my longevity model) as well as the other four longevity factors, read "Lessons from Century Club Companies: Managing for Long-Term Success."

Survival? Sustainability? Stewardship? What word best describes "long-term business success?"

When writing my book on common practices of companies over 100 years old, I struggled with what term to use to describe them. With the help of my editor, Clark Malcolm, I landed on Century Club Companies, which certainly sounds better than "old companies," and referred to their longevity practices as "managing for long-term success." When presenting papers on my research at academic conferences I often call these "survival factors," which somehow seems to downplay the fact that these companies have done much more than merely survive: though most have gone through periods of barely surviving, most actually thrive or they wouldn't have lasted for over 100 years. Early on I liked to talk about the sustainability of these companies, but that term has become identified almost exclusively with the environmental movement. (At the last conference where I presented a paper, one of the discussants actually thanked me for using the term "survival" instead of "sustainable.") Use of the term sustainable business practices becomes even more confusing because one of the five factors in my longevity model is that of deep relationships these companies have with their community --including being at the forefront of many environmental sustainability practices. 

When talking about the leadership approach used by people running Century Club Companies another term that comes into play is "stewardship," because these leaders tend to see themselves as caretakers of their companies. The role of leader comes with a sort of obligation to make decisions that will ensure the continuity of the firm rather than those that would make a big splash or fulfill the leader's personal ambitions or need for recognition. But I have been told that the term stewardship comes with either religious or servant-like overtones that some find off-putting. (Also I need to say that many Century Club leaders readily describe themselves as either stewards or servants of the company.)

What do you think? When talking about practices leaders can use to keep their companies in business for the long term, what term makes the most sense? 

Many Century Club Companies Keep Things in the Family

According to Family Business Review only 12% of family businesses survive to the third generation and just 3% operate into the 4th generation and beyond. 

However, when looking at Century Club Companies we see a far different story. There are 728 companies in my data base of U.S. companies over 100 years old. Of these, 85 (11.7 percent) are in their 5th generation of family ownership; 41 (5.6 percent) have made it to the 6th generation; and another 15 companies (2 percent) are in the 7th generation and beyond.  These companies are truly treasures - for their families, their employees, their customers, their business partners, and their communities. To read what it takes to survive - and thrive - through the generations, see Lessons From Century Club Companies: Managing for Long-Term Success.

https://www.amazon.com/Lessons-Century-Club-Companies-Long-Term/dp/0984898603

"Lessons From Old Companies" - A Book Review

My neighbor recently gave me a great book. He knew Stried Painting just celebrated 32 years in business and thought I might like to read about what it takes to keep a business thriving for 100 years or more. Now, that's a challenge!  The book, Lessons from Century Club Companies: Managing for Long Term Success, written by Vicki TenHaken, is a gem. She covers five key factors that these companies have in common. Long term relationships with employees, and long term relationships with business partners are two of the five factors. These two resonated with me, since Stried Painting is fortunate to have employees who have been with us for 20 years. We've also enjoyed a 20+ year relationship with more than a few customers. How does this happen? TenHaken says that the Century Club companies tend to be frugal, and they know how and where their money is being spent. This allows them to weather the bad times, and gives them the ability to keep staff in place when the going gets rough. Century Club companies also take a lot of effort in training their employees, giving them the skills needed to do their jobs effectively. 

Century Club companies understand in their bones the value of long term customer relationships and vendor relationships as well. In an environment of intense competition I found it refreshing to read how much they value business partnerships. TenHaken states, "Since Century Club companies believe they cannot maintain success without the cooperation of others, they put a premium on actions that will retain their suppliers and customers from generation to generation." She goes on to describe the fact they are relentless in their pursuit of new business as well. In short, there is a healthy balance. It's not easy taking the long view, but these companies affirm that in doing so, it will indeed pay off.  I did a quick count on the number of companies she has listed and counted 662 (she leaves her email address for those who want to put more Century Club companies on her radar and in her database). I was happy to see that the middle of our country is home to 239 of these great companies. Selfishly, I'd like to think that good old-fashioned Midwestern values has a little something to do with that!

I highly recommend this book and look forward to diving deeper into the other factors the author outlines. We have a lot of work and improvement ahead of us, and this book, and the exceptional companies in its pages, will be a superb guide. Here's to another 68 years in business and achieving Century Club status!

Jim Stried, Stried Painting   Business relationships at work since 1984. 

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/lessons-from-old-companies-book-review-jim-stried?trk=hp-feed-article-title-publish

Ag Co-Ops Defy Survival Odds

For any business to operate for over a century is an amazing accomplishment, given all the economic, social, cultural, and technological changes that occur over 100 years. Though century cooperatives are still fairly rare, accounting for about 6% of the USDA's entire list of agricultural co-ops, this percentage is much higher than the number of for-profit businesses reaching the 100 year milestone (approximately 0.01%). The number of cooperatives reaching the century milestone stands at over 130 and is steadily increasing. It has been said that survival is the ultimate performance measure. One possibility for the stellar performance of coops compared to other businesses may be that they form and operate according to the principles my research has identified as leading to long-term success: clear mission, unique strengths, close relationships with all business partners, and active members of their local communities. 

According to the USDA, here is a list of ag co-ops celebrating at least 100 years of operation:

1887  First Cooperative Association, Cherokee, IA  Grain & Oilseed

1889  Goodwine Cooperative Grain Company, Goodwine, IL  Grain & Oilseed

1889  Rock Dell Cooperative Creamery Company, Byron, MN  Dairy

1890  River Region Cooperative, Sleepy Eye, MN  Grain & Oilseed

1891  Lawrence County Co-op Wool Growers Association, Pulaski, PA  Wool

1893  Sunkist Growers Inc, Sherman Oaks, CA  Fruit & Vegetable

1894  Dassel Cooperative Dairy Association, Dassel, MN  Supply

1894  Nelson Creamery Association, Nelson, MN  Dairy

1894  Nelson & Albin Co-op Mercantile Association, Saint James, MN  Supply

1895  Stanford Grain Company, Stanford, IL  Grain & Oilseed

1896  Calhoun Cooperative Creamer Company, Lansing IA  Dairy

1897  Fillmore-Piru Citrus Association, Piru, CA  Fruit & Vegetable

1899  Farmers' Grain & Coal Company, Mason City, IL  Grain & Oilseed

1899  Nassau Farmers Elevator Company, Nassau, MN  Grain & Oilseed

1899  Plainview Mild Products Cooperative, Plainview, MN  Dairy

1901  Delphos Cooperative Association, Delphos, KS  Supply

1902  Elba Cooperative Creamery Association, Elba, MN  Dairy

1902  Southern Plains Coop, Lewis, KS  Grain & Oilseed

1903  Farmers Cooperative, Dorchester, NE  Grain & Oilseed

1903  Farmers Cooperative Association, Eustis, NE  Grain & Oilseed

1903  Farmers Cooperative Elevator Company, Rushford, MN  Supply

1903  Golden Belt Cooperative Association Inc, Ellis, KS  Grain & Oilseed

1903  Grainland Cooperative, Eureka, IL  Grain & Oilseed

1903  Graymont Cooperative Association, Graymont, IL  Grain & Oilseed

1903  Westby Cooperative Creamery, Westby, WI  Dairy

1904  Clark County Famers Elevator, Clark, SD  Grain & Oilseed

1904  Danvers Farmers Elevator Company, Danvers, IL  Grain & Oilseed

1904  Farmers Lumber Company, Rock Valley, IA  Supply

1904  Garden Valley Cooperative, Waumandee, WI  Supply

1904  Harvest Land Cooperative, Morgan, MN  Grain & Oilseed

1904  Ludlow Cooperative Elevator Company, Ludlow, IL  Grain & Oilseed

1905  Agfinity Inc, Eaton, CO  Supply

1905  Earlville Farmers Cooperative Elevator Company, Earlville, IL  Grain & Oilseed

1905  Farmers Cooperative Ag Service, Greenbush, MN  Supply

1905  Farmers Elevator Company, Pelican Rapids, MN  Supply

1905  Meadowland Farmers Cooperative, Lamberton, MN  Grain & Oilseed

1905  Menno Lumber Company, Menno, SD  Supply

1905  Rose Cooperative Creamery Association, Eagle Bend, MN  Supply

1905  Rothsay farmers Cooperative, Rothsay, MN  Grain & Oilseed

1905  Valley Creamery Association, Garfield, MN  Dairy

1905  Wheaton-Dumont Cooperative Elevator, Wheaton, MN  Grain & Oilseed

1906  Cooperative Elevator Association, Ocheyedan, IA  Grain & Oilseed

1906  Cooperative Producers Inc, Hastings, NE  Grain & Oilseed

1906  Hadley Farmers Elevator, Hadley, MN  Grain & Oilseed

1906  River Valley Cooperative, Eldridge, IA  Grain & Oilseed

1907  Archer Cooperative Grain Company, Archer, IA  Grain & Oilseed

1907  Blue Star Growers Inc, Cashmere, WA  Fruit & Vegetable

1907  Carrier Mill and Elevator Company, Carrier, OK  Grain & Oilseed

1907  Farmers Coop Elevator Company, Kingsley, IA  Grain & Oilseed

1907  Farmers Cooperative Society, Sioux Center, IA  Grain & Oilseed

1907  Fosston Cooperative Association, Fosston, MN  Supply

1907  Fruit Growers Supply Company, Sherman Oaks, CA  Supply

1907  Minier Cooperative Grain Company, Minier, IL  Grain & Oilseed

1907  North Central Cooperative, Clarion, IA  Grain & Oilseed

1907  Swanville Cooperative Creamery Association, Swanville, MN  Dairy

1908  Aurora Cooperative Elevator Company, Aurora, NE  Grain & Oilseed

1908  Bongards Creameries, Bongards, MN  Dairy

1908  Central Plains Co-op, Smith Center, KS  Grain & Oilseed

1908  Chapin Farmers Elevator Company, Chapin, IL  Grain & Oilseed

1908  Cissna Park Cooperative Inc, Cissna Park, IL  Grain & Oilseed

1908  Donovan Farmers Co-operative Elevator, Inc, Donovan IL  Grain & Oilseed

1908  Elm Dale Creamery Association, Bowlus, MN  Dairy

1908  Farmers Cooperative Creamery, Forreston, MN  Dairy

1908  Farmers Cooperative Creamery Association, Goodridge, MN  Supply

1908  Hull Cooperative Association, Hull, IA  Supply

1908  Midway Co-op Association, Osborne, KS  Grain & Oilseed

1908  Northern Partners Cooperative, Mendota, IL  Grain & Oilseed

1909  Burtonview Cooperative, Lincoln, IL  Grain & Oilseed

1909  Davenport Union Warehouse Company, Davenport, WA  Grain & Oilseed

1909  Edinburg Farmers Elevator Company, Edinburg, ND  Grain & Oilseed

1909  Farmers Elevator of Fergus Falls, Fergus Falls, MN  Grain & Oilseed

1909  FCA Co-op, Jackson, MN  Grain & Oilseed

1909  Haines City Citrus Growers Association, Haines City, FL  Fruit & Vegetable

1909  Lake Region Packing Association, Tavares, FL  Supply

1909  Odessa Union Warehouse Cooperative, Odessa, WA  Grain & Oilseed

1909  Osakis Creamery Association, Osakis, MS  Dairy

1909  Pacific Northwest Farmers Cooperative Inc, Genesee, ID  Grain & Oilseed

1909  Winter Haven Citrus Growers Association, Dundee, FL  Fruit & Vegetable

1909  Tillamook County Creamery Association, Tillamook, OR  Dairy

1910  Blue Diamond Growers, Sacramento, CA  Nut

1910  Colton Farmers Elevator, Colton, SD  Grain & Oilseed

1910  Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Ellsworth, WI  Dairy

1910  Farmers Cooperative Company, Remsen, IA  Grain & Oilseed

1910  Offerle Co-op Grain & Supply Company, Offerle, KS  Grain & Oilseed

1911  Brocket Equity Elevator Company, Brocket, ND  Grain & Oilseed

1911  Co-op Service Inc. of New York Mills, New York Mills, MN  Supply

1911  Farmers Cooperative Elevator Company, Nickerson, KS  Supply

1911  Farmers Union Mercantile & Shipping Association, Stockton, KS  Grain & Oilseed

1911  Farmway Co-op Inc, Beloit, KS  Supply

1911  Jewell Grain Company, Jewell, OH  Grain & Oilseed

1911  Kragnes Farmers Elevator Company, Glyndon, MN  Grain & Oilseed

1911  Max Farmers Elevator, Max, ND  Grain & Oilseed

1911  Medford Cooperative Inc, Medford, WI  Supply

1911  Milledgeville Farmers Elevator Company, Milledgeville, IL  Grain & Oilseed

1911  Tremont Cooperative Grain Company, Tremont, IL  Grain & Oilseed

1912  Ag Plus Inc, South Whitley, IN  Grain & Oilseed

1912  Equity Elevator & Trading Company, Wood Lake, MN  Grain & Oilseed

1912  Farmers Cooperative Company, Hinton, IA  Supply

1912  Farmers Cooperative Elevator Company, Hanley Falls, MN  Grain & Oilseed

1912  Gerald Grain Center Inc, Napoleon, OH  Grain & Oilseed

1912  Farmers Elevator Grain & Supply Association, New Bavaria, OH  Grain & Oilseed

1912  Fulton Farmers Elevator Company, Fulton, SD  Grain & Oilseed

1912  Kasbeer Farmers Elevator Company Cooperative, Kasbeer, IL  Grain & Oilseed

1912  Lakes Area Cooperative, Perham, MN  Dairy

1912  Minneola Coop Inc, Minneola, KS  Grain & Oilseed

1912  Newfolden Cooperative Elevator Association, Newfolden, MN  Grain & Oilseed

1913  AgFirst Farmers Cooperative, Brookings, SD  Grain & Oilseed

1913  Andres & Wilton Farmers Grain & Supply Co, Peotone, IL  Grain & Oilseed

1913  Blue Bird Inc, Peshastin, WA  Fruit

1913  Diamond Fruit Growers Inc, Odell, OR  Fruit & Vegetable

1913  Farmers Exchange of Goltry, Goltry, OK  Grain & Oilseed

1913  Forbes Equity Exchange, Forbes, ND  Grain & Oilseed

1913  Hastings Cooperative Creamery Company, Hastings, MN  Dairy

1913  Landisville Produce Cooperative Association Inc, Landisville, NJ  Fruit & Vegetable

1913  McNabb Grain Company Inc, McNabb, IL  Grain & Oilseed

1913  Rees Farmers Elevator, Franklin, IL  Grain & Oilseed

1913  Rule Co-op Gin & Elevator Company, Rule, TX  Cotton Ginning

1913  Saint Francis Mercantile Equity Exchange, Saint Francis, KS  Grain & Oilseed

1913  Sobieski Cooperative Creamery Association, Little Falls, MN  Dairy

1913  Thornwell Warehouse Association, Lake Arthur, LA  Supply

1914  Beardsley Equity Co-op Association Inc, Atwood, KS  Grain & Oilseed

1914  Butte County Rice Growers Association, Richvale, CA  Supply

1914  Farmers Cooperative Company, Tallmadge, NE  Grain & Oilseed

1914  Farmers Cooperative Company, Windsor, MO  Supply

1914  Farmers Cooperative Elevator Company, Rosholt, SD  Grain & Oilseed

1914  Farmers Cooperative Grain COmpany, Kinde, MI  Supply

1914  Fowler Equity Exchange, Fowler, KS  Grain & Oilseed

1914  Hardwick Farmers Cooperative Exchange, Hardwick, MA  Supply

1914  Hicksville Grain Company, Hicksville, OH  Grain & Oilseed

1914  MFA Incorporated, Columbia, MO  Supply

1914  Scranton Equity Exchange, Scranton, ND  Grain & Oilseed

1914  Waverly Growers Cooperative, Waverly, FL  Fruit & Vegetable

Century Club Companies Help You Celebrate July 4

Many of the traditions used to celebrate America's Independence Day are brought to you by companies that have been around for 100 years or more. Here are a few:

PyroSpectaculars by Souza 1906 Rialto, California

Beginning over 100 years ago and spanning five generations, the Souza family has been using their pyrotechnic skill to provide joy for their community and thrill crowds around the world. Long before the amazingly choreographed pyrotechnic displays for packed stadiums and television audiences today, the patriarch of the family was thrilling audiences closer to home. Today, the Souza family’s passion, pride, and tradition of fireworks continues to entertain millions around the world.

Nathan's Famous 1916 Jericho, New York

This Fourth of July people will gather by the thousands at the corner of Surf and Stillwell in Coney Island, NY to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Nathan’s Famous by playing witness to the most unique sporting competition in the world: Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. They’ll flock to Nathan’s flagship restaurant to catch a glimpse of hot dog eating legends and the celebration that is as uniquely American as it is Nathan’s.

Koegel's 1916 Flint, Michigan

When you fire up the grill this holiday you can celebrate America's 240th birthday and 3rd generation Koegel's 100th! Koegel's uses the same recipes and processes Albert Koegel used 100 years ago, so whether you prefer bratwursts, bockwurst, frankfurters, Italian sausage, Polish sausage, or Viennas for your grill, you can be assured an authentic, fresh product.

New "Century Club" Member

Run by members of the Seitz family in Chelsea, Michigan since 1916, longevity congratulations go out to new Century Club member Seitz's Tavern. They found creative ways to stay in business during prohibition (the tavern became a restaurant and cigar bar) and retain their signature style of "old school cool" to this day. Seitz's is one of the last "standing bars" in the state: it does not have stools in front of its 23-foot bar that dates from the late 1800s and is made from a single piece of cherry wood. An 1895 brass cash register sits on the back bar and a 100-year-old steel Stroh's beer sign is on display. Seitz's long history and deep ties to the Chelsea community is representative of the key longevity factors in my book "Lessons from the Century Club: Managing for Long-Term Success" - they not only have a good sense of uniqueness, you can feel the pride that three generations have been able to carry on a legacy that has meaning to their community.

Lessons from Century Club Companies: Managing for Long-Term Success

My book on management practices of companies over 100 years old has finally been published and is now available to order! Over ten years of research on these remarkable companies resulted in this book, which includes a list of U.S. companies over 100. I hope you enjoy it!

http://www.amazon.com/Lessons-Century-Club-Companies-Long-Term/dp/0984898603/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1459511124&sr=8-5&keywords=corporate+longevity

Two Companies Celebrate 200th Anniversary in 2016

 
James Madison was president when these two companies were founded in 1816. Two hundred years later, they are still in business. Corporate longevity congratulations go to Hodgdon Yachts and York Water Company!

Hodgdon Yachts is the oldest boat building company in the United States. Still family-owned and operated, they are a fifth generation company in East Boothbay, Maine. They estimate they have launched over 400 vessels in their 200 years - let's hope they have many more to come!

 The York Water Company was founded in York, Pennsylvania by a group of local businessmen who were concerned about fire protection. It is the oldest investor-owned utility in the U.S. and has a record of paying consecutive dividends since 1816.  

125th Anniversary Companies

In 1891 Thomas Edison patented the motional picture camera and the "transmission of signals electrically" (radio). The following companies were also founded that year and have survived to celebrate their 125th anniversary in 2016. Join me in offering corporate longevity congratulations to the following companies.

Bauer's Jewelry: Third generation jewelry store in Saginaw, Michigan

Bond Decorating: Residential and commercial interior design in Iron Mountain, Michigan

Cross County Bank: Meeting the finical needs of the Wynne, Arkansas community.

First Bank of Berne: Locally owned and operated bank in Berne, Indiana.

Hecla Mining: Silver and other precious metal mining company based on Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. 

Hormel: Food company based in Austin, Minnesota that produces Spam and many other food brands.

Krzyske Brothers Company: Fourth generation lumber and hardware stores in southeast Michigan.

National Bankshares: Community bank headquartered in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Perhaps there are more companies that should be on this list. If you know of a business that has been in continuous, independent operation since 1891, please comment on this post or email me at CenturyClubCompanies@gmail.com. 

Companies Celebrating 150 Years in Business in 2016

1866: The year these companies were founded was one year past the American Civil War. There was no through railway to the Pacific Coast, no telephones, no electric lights, no typewriters, airplanes, or automobiles. But they found a way to establish businesses that have endured through world wars, economic depressions, quantum leaps in technology, globalization, and shifting social and cultural values. Join me in congratulating these Century Club Companies on their 150th anniversary.

Dyke Industries, Little Rock, Arkansas

Dyke Industries is a family-owned company that operates 13 distribution outlets, serving 18 states with a broad line of building materials, including millwork, lumber, doors, windows and related items. They serve the Southeast US as a wholesale distributor of a multitude of millwork and related products. 

Garland Manufacturing Company, Saco Maine

With six generations of continuous Garland family management, Garland Manufacturing continues to make mallets and soft-faced hammers for industries worldwide and is the only producer of rawhide mallets in North America. Over the years Garland has also diversified and they offer machined parts and plastic extrusions. 

General Mills, Golden Valley, Minnesota

Starting with a flour mill on the banks of the Mississippi River in 1866, Gold Medal flour is still the top selling brand of flour in the United States. Now with many brands marketed in 100 countries on six continents, General Mills employs over 42,000 people worldwide an has sales of over $17 billion.

Huntington Bancshares, Columbus, Ohio

Huntington is a full-service banking provider operating primarily within the six states of Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, West Virginia, and Kentucky. As with many Century Club companies, Huntington believes it is their deep relationship-building capabilities that have enabled it to not just survive, but thrive, for 150 years.

Norway Savings Bank, Norway, Maine

A smaller community bank, Norway Savings Bank has also managed to survive for 150 years. Known for their financial strength, exceptional customer service, and contribution to their communities, they are proud to say "We're from Maine and we understand the needs of Maine people and businesses."

Sherwin Williams, Cleveland, Ohio

In 1866 there was no such thing as ready-to-use paint. Henry Sherwin and Edwin Williams changed that and worked to make a product that founded an industry and subtly altered the tone of our everyday lives. Today they are a global company with 4,000 stores worldwide. They know paint.

Koegel Meats

Koegel Meats has been using the same recipes and processes to make sausages in Flint, MI since 1916. Today they offer about 35 kinds of sausages and meats, distributed mostly in Michigan. A unique aspect of their business is that they deliver their products to each individual store to ensure the customer receives a fresh product. Given the national news about the water crisis in Flint, it should be noted that the company is not on the city's water system so there is no need to be concerned about the continued quality of their meats. Welcome to the Corporate Century Club!

Boeing Celebrates 100 Years

One of the largest aircraft manufactures and defense contractors in the world, Boeing is celebrating their 100th anniversary in 2016. Now headquartered in Chicago, Boeing was founded by William Boeing in Seattle as the Pacific Aero Products Company. Check out the "100" tab on their website to learn more about their past century in business - and the centennial merchandise they are offering to commemorate their anniversary.

Crain Communication turns 100

Headquartered in downtown Detroit, MI, Crain Communications is a privately-held communications company with many well-known publications including Automotive News, Autoweek, Advertising Age, Modern Healthcare, Plastics News, Business Insurance, and Pensions & Investments in addition to city business publications for Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, and New York. Welcome to the Corporate Century Club!

Streit's Matzo Bakery

Though the company logo say "since 1925" Aron Streit opened his first matzo factory in 1916. Still family owned and operated, Streit's continues the tradition of offering matzo and kosher food products for Passover and year round.

Welcome to the Century Club: Wegmans

Wegmans Food Markets is a privately-owned regional supermarket chain headquartered in Rochester, New York. Run by third and fourth generation Wegmans, they have been listed in Fortune magazines "100 Best Companies to Work For" since the list first appeared in 1998 and have been ranked in the top 10 for the last eight consecutive years. Congratulations on 100 years and welcome to the corporate Century Club!

New Century Club Companies in 2016

With a new year comes new members of the corporate Century Club! In the spotlight today is Zidell, a family-owned company based in Portland, Oregon.  Founded in 1916 by Russian immigrant Sam Zidell to sell second-hand machinery out of a scrap yard on the waterfront, by 1960 Zidell had become the largest ship dismantling operation in the country employing hundreds in the salvaging of ships after World War II.  Realizing that material from the ships could be put to new use, Sam's son Emery created a valve and tube forgings business and Zidell Marine, an innovator in steel barge design and construction. Run today by third generation Zidell family, a fourth generation family member has also joined the company to explore and develop new possibilities.