Sales Bits: Legacy, Family, and Partnership
- Denny
- Mar 18
- 2 min read
Strong businesses aren’t built on strategy alone—they’re built on relationships that last. In this Sales Bit, Denny reflects on the role of family legacy and intentional partnerships, and how both have shaped the foundation and future of Vermeer MidSouth.
From Denny Vander Molen, President of Vermeer MidSouth and Founder and CEO of Jackson Endeavors:
Conversations around town halls this week and last are opportunities for successive family businesses.
"What has been really helpful for us is going back and remembering and honoring our family history as well as our loved ones, focusing as a family on our common interests and causes. I think that's really helped to develop a family glue." Heidi Vermeer-Quist, a granddaughter of founder Gary Vermeer
It has been many years since the Vermeer family was inspired to create a multi-generational family business. What began with one brother, then two others, and then back to one. Ultimately, the family shareholders have grown to some 80 members. Family-owned and family-led is their legacy in Iowa, across the nation, and around the globe.
As good as that appeared to be, the road within the family was sometimes quite rocky. Over time, those challenges and hurts begin to heal. In the work of innovation and growth, challenges in any relationship can become stressful.
Today, Vermeer Corp. has one of the nation's most highly regarded family offices. They are very intentional in how they treat, communicate, and share the company's success. However, you must be born in or married in.
From the start, Vermeer MidSouth was keenly supportive of strong partnerships. Where there were two at the beginning, then four briefly, and back down to three, we managed to establish our place in the market through some of the early critical decades. Giving ownership to strategic positions in our territory, as day-to-day decision-makers locally, seemed like the right recipe. For many years, it was.
The model that Vermeer Corp has established is highly regarded, even in distribution. Many construction equipment dealerships across the country are family-owned. Hearing stories from other industries about how family generations went well or not so well helped me understand how we should go.
A family business legacy appeared to be the right structure for our customers, team members, critical vendors, and family stakeholders. As long as Vermeer Corp was following that track, I felt we needed to be there, too. This legacy, done well, can lead by example to the future success of our team members and our customers.
I believe that partnerships have their place in business. Equity can be built into the relationship throughout the region, as history has proven. Our customers and vendors are very important partners in our success. They are essential to Vermeer MidSouth. Vermeer MidSouth is essential to our customers and to our suppliers.
How will our daily work enhance our mission as it relates to partnerships?
Will we be a great partner?
Will our future customers be great partners and advocates for the brand?
How can it start with us?
"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17
Have a great sales week!
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