Monday, July 6, 2020

Founded 1905, Survived to Celebrate 115th Anniversary



39 companies founded in 1905 are celebrating their 115th anniversaries this year. For some surviving this year will be a trial; our hope is that by following the longevity factors uncovered in my research (see book "Lessons from Century Club Companies: Managing for Long-Term Success") they will make it through and go on to celebrate more anniversaries in the future. 22 of these companies are generational family firms; 6 are co-ops (basically customer-owned); 5 have employee ownership; just 6 are public (and one of those is still run by the founding family). They span 18 states and many industries. Having made it through the pandemic of 1918 as well as world wars, economic depression and recessions, huge shifts in culture and technology affecting how we live and work, I'm confident most of them will still be here to celebrate their 120th anniversary in five years.  Here is the list:

Agfinity, Eaton CO (co-op)

Alexander Wolf & Son, New York, NY (4th generation)

American National Insurance, Galveston TX (public; 4th generation)

Artesian Resources, Newark DE (public)

Badger Meter, Milwaukee WI (public)

Bulman Products, Grand Rapids MI

C.H. Robinson, Eden Prairie MN (public)

Columbia Restaurant, Tampa FL (5th generation)

Earlville Farmers Cooperative Elevator, Earlville IL (co-op)

E.F. Boyd & Son, Cleveland OH (3rd & 4th generations)

Farmers Elevator, Pelican Rapids MN (co-op)

Farmers Lumber, Rock Valley IA (co-op)

Frank Brunckhorst Company (Boars Head) Sarasota FL (5th generation)

Fremont Company, Fremont OH (4th generation)

G.W. Smith Lumber, Lexington NC (4th generation; ESOP)

Galatoire's, New Orleans LA (4th generation)

H-E-B, San Antonio TX (3rd generation)

Herman Miller, Zeeland MI (public, ESOP)

Holiday Bar, Grand Rapids MI (3rd generation)

Home Lumber, Ashland KS (ESOP)

Horween Leather, Chicago IL (5th generation)

Lovewell's Corner Store, Lupton MI

Manson Construction, Seattle WA (ESOP)

McKissack & McKissack, New York NY (3rd generations)

Meadowland Farmers Cooperative, Lamberton MN (co-op)

Milkins Jewelers, Wyandotte MI (4th generation)

Lang Building Supply, Brunswick GA (4th generation)

National Presto Industries, Eau Claire WI (public)

Padnos, Holland MI (3rd & 4th generations)

Red Wing Shoes, Red Wing MN (3rd generation)

Ridgway Mailing, Dallas TX

Rolland Safe & Lock, Dallas TX (3rd generation)

Stevens Worldwide Van Lines, Saginaw MI (5th generation; ESOP)

Tabatchnick Fine Foods, Somerset NJ (5th generation)

UWM Men's Shop, Salt Lake City UT (5th generation)

Ward Office Furniture, Modesto CA (4th & 5th generations)

Wheaton-Dumont Cooperative Elevator, Wheaton MN (co-op)

Wigwam Mills, Sheboygan WI (4th generation)

Yakima Federal Savings & Loan, Yakima WA

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