It’s not easy to follow in someone’s footsteps. People will always judge whether you’re truly filling your predecessor’s shoes.
We admire those who chart their own course and attain their own success. It’s just as difficult, however, to preserve and further a legacy, to start out on a path that’s been cleared and continue well beyond. It can also be very rewarding.
Anyone who’s ever worked in a family business knows the extra responsibility and weight it carries. It’s not just a business. It’s your family’s name and reputation on the line. Some fail because they lack the vision and passion to carry on the mission, others use the foundation to reach higher than their predecessors ever imagined.
So it is with Zeitler Plumbing, featured in this issue of Plumber. Ed Zeitler took the reins of the business his grandfather and father both ran, now entering its 68th year. Zeitler sought to maintain the relationships and reputation that had been built over years, but he also made the business his own.
Zeitler grew the business by expanding the service area — it now covers a 100-mile radius. The company doesn’t just stick to plumbing; it has diversified into septic system pumping. “It’s a way to keep the guys busy year-round,” Zeitler says.
Evolving the company is just one way an owner can help the family business last. Here are a few other measures Zeitler and his team have taken to make sure the company continues for more generations:
They are people-focused. They’re about earning a profit, but they also care about their people. Zeitler Plumbing pays fair wages and offers solid training.
They own their facilities and equipment. Being a property owner gave the company an asset that protected the owners from too-high rents, and gave them an option for obtaining capital if banks otherwise wouldn’t lend.
IS YOUR COMPANY GOING TO LAST?
What are you doing to make sure you can pass your company along to future generations? I’d enjoy hearing your ideas and sharing them in this magazine. You can call me at 800/257-7222 or email me at editor@digdifferent.com. I look forward to hearing your tips.
Enjoy this issue!
