29 Companies to Join the Century Club in 2019

Congratulations to these companies founded in 1919 and still going strong - 18 are 3rd, 4th or 5th family generational companies, one is employee-owned, and two are public


Community Coffee 4th generation coffee roaster and seller in Baton Rouge, LA

Crescent Electric Supply Company is a privately-owned electrical equipment wholesaler based in East Dubuque IL

Cummins public company in Columbus, IN

D-A Lubricant is a privately-owned engineered products company in Lebanon, IN

Fourth generation Doyle Security Systems of Rochester, NY celebrates 100 years of protecting families and businesses with security services

Third generation Durkee-Mower Inc. of Lynn, MA is best know for their Marshmallow Fluff, which they have been producing since 1920.

Fourth generation Elebash's Jewelers has been a fixture of downtown Pensacola, FL since 1919 when two Elebash brothers purchased Lindenstruth Jewelers and renamed the store Elebash's

Farmers Elevator and Exchange Monroe City, MO co-op

First National Community Bank New Richmond, WI

Garris Evans Lumber is a 4th generation building materials business with several locations in Eastern North Carolina

Max Gordon is the 3rd generation owner-operator of Max Gordon Auto Parts and Battery Mart in Racine WI, a business started by his grandfather, Max, in 1919

Halliburton public Houston, TX

Hy-Point Dairy Wilmington, DE 3rd generation

Jefferson Lines Minneapolis, MN

Kuhnhausen's Furniture in Portland, OR is a 3rd generation retail furniture store now owned and run by women

Lake Union Dry Dock Seattle, WA 3rd generation shipyard and ship repair

Meadowlark Dairy Pleasanton, CA 3rd generation dairy turned ice cream parlor

Michuda Construction Tinley Park, IL is a 5th generation contractor

Reno Agency is an insurance agency in Wayland, MI

Grand Rapids, MI based Rowerdink is one of the largest wholesale auto parts distributors in the Midwest, led by John Rowerdink (I need help with generation of ownership)

Scully-Monroe Agency in Howell, MI was one of Citizens Insurance earliest appointed agencies (Citizens Insurance, founded in 1915, is now a member of the Hanover Insurance Group), now run by 2nd generation family

Serrano's Family Restaurants in Chandler, AZ started out as a department store, now 3rd & 4th generation with 5 locations of restaurants

Servco Honolulu, HI

Standard Electric Supply is a 3rd generation electrical products distributor in Milwaukee, WI

With the invention of the 1st practical electric hair clipper in 1919, 3rd generation Wahl Clipper Corp of Sterling, IL has been a leader in home and professional grooming.

Walter's Hot Dogs Mamaroneck, NY 3rd generation

Whipple and Co general store in Moorestown, MI

Wimmer's Diamonds 4th generation jeweler in Fargo, ND

Woodman's Market Janesville, WI employee-owned general store

22 Companies Celebrate 105 Years in Business

                   

Companies founded in 1913 have survived for over a century. Representing several different industries, all but one (Chlorox) are privately-owned and 16 are generational family-owned companies. Congratulations go out to the following firms on this remarkable accomplishment!

A.F. Wendling, Buckhannon WV, food services, 3rd generation

Adkisson's Floral, Greenville TX, retail florist, 3rd generation

Benson Lumber and Hardware, Derry NH, lumber and building materials, 4th generation

Builders Alliance, Bellingham WA, lumber and building materials, private

Buis Mattress, Holland MI, manufacturing and retail furniture, 4th generation

Chapel Lumber, Elmira NY, lumber and building materials, private

Chlorox, Oakland CA, household products, public

Flinn & Maguire Funeral Home, Franklin IN, funeral services, 3rd generation

Gamtex Industries, Fort Worth TX, metal recycling, 4th generation

Hub Furniture, Portland ME, retail furniture, 3rd and 4th generations

IMLO Products, Jacksonville IL, wholesale gas and chemicals, 4th generation

Interlake Steamship Company, Middleburg Heights OH, transportation operators, 2nd generation

Lokers Shoes, Holland MI, retail footwear, 4th and 5th generations

Maco Press, Carmel IN, printing and publishing, 2nd generation

Messenger Stationery, Auburn IN, printing and publishing, private

Parker Milliken, Los Angeles CA, legal services, private

San Francisco Floral, Fresno CA, retail florist, 3rd and 4th generations

Schott NYC, New York City NY, manufacturing apparel (including iconic motorcycle jackets), 4th generation

Taylor's Bakery, Indianapolis IN, retail bakery, 4th generation

Whayne Supply Company, Louisville KY, retail equipment rental

Woodson Lumber, Caldwell TX, lumber and building materials, 3rd and 4th generation

Y. Hata & Company, Honolulu HI, wholesale grocery products, 3rd generation

Want to know the secrets to business longevity? Over ten years of research on Century Club companies reveals statistically significant practices leaders of these firms believe have enabled their survival for over a century. Read about it in "Lessons from Century Club Companies: Managing for Long-Term Success," available on amazon.com

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

22 Companies Celebrate 115 Year Anniversary in 2018

Century Club congratulations go out to these companies founded in 1903 and survived over 100 years in business to make it to celebrate their 115th anniversary - quite the accomplishment. Order a copy of Lessons from Century Club Companies: Managing for Long-Term Success to find out how they did it!
https://www.amazon.com/Lessons-Century-Club-Companies-Long-Term/dp/0984898603

Alamo Lumber Company, San Antonio TX, lumber and building materials, 4th generation

Andersen Corporation, Bayport MN, windows and doors manufacturing and retail, private

Bodcaw Bank, Stamps AR, banking and financial services, private

Building Center, Inc., Gloucester MA, lumber and building materials, 3rd generation

Consolidated Lumber Company (Arrow Building Center), Stillwater MN, lumber and building materials, private

Dallas Plumbing Company, Dallas TX, HVAC and plumbing, 3rd and 4th generation management

DeQueen Abstract Company, DeQueen AR, real estate services, private

Farris Agency, Conway AR, insurance agents, private

Ford Motor Company, Dearborn MI, transportation manufacturing, public with 4th generation executive chairman and family has 40% voting rights

Freestone Pickle Company, Bangor MI, food products, 4th and 5th generation

Friel Lumber Company, Queenstown MD, lumber and building materials, 3rd and 4th generations

General Supply Company, Bethlehem PA, lumber and building materials, private

Geneva Worldwide, New York NY, language services, 3rd generation

Herter Music Center, Bay City MI, retail music store, private

Iffland Lumber Company, Torrington CT, lumber and building materials, private

Morton Buildings, Morton IL, construction, employee owned

PS Marcato Elevator, Long Island City NY, elevator repair and maintenance, private

Roman Stone Construction, Bay Shore NY, precast concrete and cast iron products, private

Simmons First National Bank, Pine Bluff AR, banking and financial services, public

Smith Floral & Greenhouses, Lansing MI, retail florists, private

Smith Protective Services, Dallas TX, security services, 4th generation

Triest Agency, Charleston SC, insurance agents, 4th generation

16 U.S. Companies Celebrate 110th Anniversary in 2018

Century Club congratulations to these companies celebrating 110 years in business! Three of the 16 are public and the rest are privately-owned. One is employee owned and 8 are generational family-owned businesses.

Armaly Brands, Walled Lake MI, Sponges and cleaning products, 3rd generation

Berdine's Five & Dime, Harrisville WV, Retail general store

Briggs & Stratton, Wauwatosa WI, Manufacturing (engines)

Bush Brothers, Knoxville TN, Food products (beans), 4th generation

CC Wagner, Summit IL, Retail hardware, 5th generation

Chelsea Lumber, Chelsea MI, Retail building materials

Citizens Bank, Philadelphia MS, Banking & finance

Dennis Paper & Food Service, Bangor ME, Wholesale grocery products, Employee-owned

F&M Bank, Timberville VA, Banking & finance

Frank Perlstein & Sons, Trenton NJ, Plumbing heating & A/C, 3rd generation

George W. Auch, Pontiac MI, Architecture engineering & construction

Harley Ellis Devereaux, Southfield MI, Architecture engineering & construction

Holler House, Milwaukee WI, Retail eating & drinking, 3rd generation

Huppin's, Spokane WA, Retail consumer electronics, 4th generation

Irwin Seating, Grand Rapids MI, Manufacturing furniture, 4th generation

Pero Family Farms Food, Delray Beach FL, Food products (vegetables), 4th generation

Survival Is The Ultimate Performance Measure

In my humble opinion....I would love to do a brief pitch on PBS' News Hour IMHO about corporate longevity. Think about it: businesses that are still operating after 100 years have survived world wars, economic depressions and recessions, globalization, technology advances that have obsoleted whole industries, massive changes in legal, social and cultural norms...and yet they thrive. Shouldn't we celebrate them? These are the best of business - companies who care about their customers, employees, business partners, and communities - they wouldn't have survived without their web of support and they know it. Many are family owned, most are small to medium sized businesses. These are they type of companies that form the core of our economy, yet are mostly overlooked in our media and business education. At least 1,000 U.S. companies are over 100 years old (I call them Century Club Companies).  Help me highlight these special firms.

15 U.S. Companies Celebrate 125 Years in Business

The year was 1893. The World's Fair opened to the public in Chicago. The crash of the New York Stock Exchange caused the Panic of 1893, triggering an economic depression. And these companies were founded and managed to survive other depressions as well as world wars and many other challenges. Here's to the 15 survivors of 1893!

Capitol Federal Financial, Topeka KS, Banking and finance

Dittrich Furs, Detroit MI, 5th generation, Retail apparel

General Employment Enterprises*, Naperville IL, Employment agency

Green Mountain Inn, Stowe VT, Accommodation services

Henderson Brothers, Pittsburgh PA, Insurance agency

Henry the Hatter, Detroit MI, Retail apparel

The Little Shamrock, San Francisco CA, Restaurant and bar

Modell Financial, New York City NY, Pawn broker, 4th generation

Schroeder's, San Francisco CA, Restaurant and bar

Stewart Information Services*, Houston TX, 5th generation management, Real estate title insurance

Trimpers Rides, Ocean City MD, 4th generation, Amusement park

Vienna Beef, Chicago IL, Food products

West Bancorp*,  West Des Moines IA, Banking and finance

Young Bros. & Daley, Lansing MI, Construction products (stone, brick)

ZR Graphics, Zeeland MI, 4th generation, Printing services

* Public company; all others are privately-owned

18 Companies Celebrate 120 Years in Business

At least eighteen U.S. companies are celebrating being in business for 120 years in 2018.  In 1898 William McKinley was president and the Spanish-American war began. These companies have survived several other wars as well as economic depression, globalization, huge advances in technology, and major changes in legal, social, and cultural norms. Join me in congratulating these amazing firms:

American Nickeloid, Peru IL - Metal products

Bank of England, England AR - Banking & finance

Bank of Gravett, Gravett AR - Banking & finance, 4th generation

Bechtel, San Francisco CA - Construction & engineering, 5th generation

Detroit Store Fixture, Detroit MI - Store fixtures & accessories

Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan MO - Funeral services

Goodyear Tire & Rubber*, Akron OH - Manufacture tires

International Paper*, Memphis TN - Paper products

J. Elmer Turner Realtors, Dallas TX - Real estate, 5th generation

J Palazzo Son, New Hyde Part NY - Perfume manufacture, 3rd generation

Mosher's Jewelers, Port Huron MI - Retail jeweler, 4th generation

Old Print Shop, New York NY - Retail art, 3rd generation

Rambusch Lighting, Jersey City NJ - Lighting manufacturer, 4th generation

Thomas Publishing, New York City NY - Business information publisher

Vita Food Products, Chicago IL - Seafood & specialty foods

Warnock Furniture, Magnolia AR - Retail furniture, 5th generation

Weldon, Williams & Lick, Fort Smith AR - Printer (tickets)

Worksman Cycles, Ozone Park NY - Bicycle manufacturing

* Publicly traded company (all others are privately-owned)