Straightforward approach
Jul 1, 2008 12:00 PM, By David A Kolman
In Business, the expression, “stick to your knitting,” refers to a company that focuses on its core capabilities, doing what it is familiar with and what it does best. In the book, In Search of Excellence, published in the the early 1980s, stick to your knitting was one of eight themes the authors found common among successful corporations.
For Mason Brothers Company, a wholesale grocer in Wadena, Minnesota, taking a straightforward, stick-to-your-knitting approach to business is nothing new. It's been doing that ever since its founding nearly 90 years ago.
This business technique, along with an emphasis on quality service, customer satisfaction, and managed growth, has been the company's guiding principles. Applied consistently over time, Mason Brothers has sustained its development and success.
Situated in the heart of Minnesota's major lakes and resort areas, 143 miles northwest of Minneapolis/St Paul, Mason Brothers' “knitting” is servicing independent, small town grocery stores. It is a one-stop shop, distributing a full line of products, from national brands to a complete line of private label items exclusive to them. This includes fresh dairy, produce, and meats; frozen and refrigerated foods; general merchandise; health and beauty care products; and specialty foods.
“Since the very beginning, customer service has been our strength,” says the company's Jeff Harrison. “We've always strived to provide the products and services our customer need to survive and thrive.”
Harrison co-owns Mason Brothers with his brother Ric. The two, who took over the company when their father Harry retired in 1999, have stuck to the company's knitting, while adding processes, tools, and technology to increase productivity and efficiency.
In May, the family-owned business celebrated its 88th anniversary. It was founded in Wadena in 1920 by brothers Harold and Victor (“Doc”) Mason who peddled groceries throughout the area. Within three years, they got to the point where they needed a warehouse, and the business has continued to evolve.
Mason Brothers now owns, operates, and maintains a fleet of refrigerated vehicles that services its more than 250 customers in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Close call
Another significant event in the company's history was June 18, 1968. That was when its warehouse was totally destroyed by fire. Thanks to the generosity of another local family, the Merickels who lived across the alley from Harry Harrison, Mason Brothers was back in business within two days.
The Merickel brothers, who own Merickel Lumber, one of the largest lumberyards in central Minnesota, owned an empty feed and seed building. “They gave the building to my dad to use, rent free, for as long as it was needed,” recalls Jeff Harrison. “This kept us in business. We had product in transit, but no place to put it.”
Mason Brothers built a new 40,000-square foot warehouse that was completed by the end of 1968. That facility has gone through seven additions. It is now more than 160,000 square feet, housing more than 10,000 items, and 16 dock doors for shipping and receiving.
Along with some dry storage, it has 20,000 square feet of frozen storage, 12,000 square feet of refrigerated storage, and 6,000 square feet of refrigerated loading dock space. There is a USDA inspected meat packing area where meat is further processed in case-ready packages.
