Van Meter named 'most loved' company in Iowa
Van Meter was recognized as the most-loved company in the state of Iowa by msn.com, joining global and national brands such as McDonald's and Coca-Cola that were recognized in other states.
R.L. Van Meter and R.W. Lemley founded The Van Meter Company in Cedar Rapids, Iowa just before the start of the Great Depression in 1928. Now, more than 90 years later, 500-plus employee-owners remain committed to service and treating each other as family. Van Meter has proven to be more than just electrical products and distribution; their culture has produced a shared purpose that creates lasting value for those they serve. By empowering their people, each employee-owner understands the mission to help grow their business, nurture relationships, develop innovative services, and deliver best-in-class products. The grounded nature of their people is second to none; Van Meter is a small company with a big heart.
Van Meter vice president of marketing, Karmen Wilhelm, said that Van Meter is intentional about putting people first and staying connected in the industries and communities they are privileged to serve. As a result, the company has been named a Top Workplace for eight consecutive years in the state of Iowa, won various vendor and customer awards, were recognized regionally for ‘the coolest place to work,’ and were awarded various AD accolades through the years.
“Van Meter has big aspirations, and never stops focusing on continuous improvement and innovation. It all starts with loving our people,” Wilhelm said.
Through the culmination of these efforts, Van Meter has built a strong brand story, proving that they are much more than just a business, from their happy employees, satisfied customers, and strong vendor relationships; they all feel the love.
AD Chairman and CEO Bill Weisberg commented that Van Meter is a fantastic example of what makes independent distributors best-in-class businesses.
“We feel the love, too,” Weisberg said. “No matter what size, AD members do big things. I am exceptionally proud of Van Meter for being recognized with companies of this stature. The combination of great people, unparalleled service, superior products, customized solutions, and forward-thinking mindset is what sets them apart.”
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY MAGAZINE
The March/April issue of Industrial Supply magazine features an in-depth cover story about Joyce Lansdale and Vallen. Plus, we're featuring articles by contributing writers Dirk Beveridge, Frank Hurtte, and David Kahle, as well as interviews with numerous product and distribution industry experts.
