Reflecting on 90 Years

The start of the new year marks the beginning of Stutsman’s 90th-year celebration. As we enter this milestone year, we’re reminded of all the events foundational to our success and, even more importantly, all those who helped ignite a simple vision of serving others into something more complex than any of us ever could have imagined on our own. With hard work, support from customers and vendors, and employees who bought into the vision, Stutsmans has flourished and grown to encompass a wide range of product and service offerings across eight divisions — Agronomy, Grain Handling, Feed Ingredients, Field Application Equipment and Precision Ag, Manure Equipment, Wholesale Hose and Valve, Stutsman Transportation, and Stutsman Logistics.

REFLECTING ON OUR ORIGIN STORY

Many moments in the last 90 years have brought us to where we are today. We’re fortunate to have thousands who have had a part in helping us write our story. We will be sharing many of these stories in future blogs, but we will start with our “origin story” to help set the scene.

Eldon Stutsman was born August 7, 1914, in Kalona, Iowa to Calvin and Nettie Niffenegger Stutsman. He grew up the only child on the small Stutsman farm with a few dairy cows and laying hens. Fast forward a few years to the late 1920s, Eldon was itching to help support the family by earning a few extra bucks while still in school. He started making cream deliveries to Swaner Dairy Farms processing plant in nearby Iowa City (perhaps spending more time on the milk route than attending school). Little did he know the impact that his first job would have on not only his life but the legacy that would ensue.

1934 was an unlikely time to start a business. The Great Depression was wreaking havoc on Americans and would continue to do so for years. Yet, the young, optimistic Eldon realized an opportunity to serve his neighbors when they started asking him to bring back supplies from Iowa City, Iowa while making his daily milk route runs. The requests kept coming, and Eldon’s feed supply business venture began.

As Eldon started transitioning his milk route to feed supply deliveries, he mustered up the courage to go talk to Albert Droll at Hills Bank. Albert gave Eldon a loan to purchase his own truck. That loan not only established a lengthy (and current) relationship with Hills Bank, but it gave Eldon the ability to truly branch out on his own and to provide service in ways he couldn’t before.

While the economy was clawing its way out of the Great Depression and Eldon’s business was slowly starting to turn its wheels, Eldon got another reason to work harder — his new wife Dorothy (married August 3, 1937), and a new farmstead of their own to call home just miles from where they both grew up. This new chapter allowed Eldon to stock feed supplies and operate a small feed store from his outbuildings, as well as have a few dairy cows.

Eldon’s young business was off to a start with its origin penned. If only Eldon knew what was yet to come — he was starting a business from the ground up, after all. Eldon was laying the foundation for a company that’s stood the test of time and provided opportunities to deliver the very best service and products to customers year after year.

REFLECTING WITH GRATITUDE

As we begin celebrating Stutsman’s 90th year, we are reminded of all we are fortunate to reflect on. The past 90 years have been a testimony to the importance of having customers, vendors and partners who have put their trust in us along the way. Each day, we get to serve individuals and businesses finding unique solutions, persevering through hardships, excelling in their field (see what we did there), or simply living with an appreciation for the opportunity to do what they do. We are honored to have vendors and partners who have trusted us with their high-quality products and customers who have valued the service we consistently work to offer.

It’s safe to say a lot has happened for us in the past 90 years — from new generations of employees and Stutsman family members joining the business with fresh ideas to expansions diversifying our offerings (all things you may have also experienced in your operations or business). There has been no shortage of advancements since 1934 in the technology, equipment and best practices in the industries we serve. Even with all of these changes, our core guiding philosophies and mission based on Eldon’s vision have not. Our relentless dedication to serving for success gives us roots. By staying true to what grounds and unites us, we remain optimistic about what the future holds. After all, there are still hardworking businesses, people and families to serve … and that’s what fuels our fire.

From all of us at Stutsmans, thank you for playing a role in our journey and letting us be a part of your story.