A privately held company, founded in 2006 by a group of former Atlanta based chemical industry executives.
Name.
The Algonquin Peoples were uniquely organized and productive with their own unique language. The name is referenced and the people were described in various James Fenimore Cooper novels. I particularly appreciated their flat management structure and that room was made for people of good character.
A further reference is the historic “Round Table” located at the Algonquin Hotel.
Look over our logo and you will find both influences displayed by a talented graphic artist Mike Green.
Formation.
In 2006, in Atlanta Georgia, Sam Daniels raised capital to form Algonquin Products by contacting two other managers recently retired from Acuity Brands – Zep Division. Former CEO Richard Manning and Operations VP Jim Bukovac.
Shortly after completing our business plan we brought in two additional Zep managers: Jim Piva and Dave Bauer were Divisional Vice Presidents in the Northeast and Southeast respectively. Both had P&L responsibility for $80-90 $Million in revenue.
The first months proved to be a test of fire as we launched right into the worst US financial crisis since the Great Depression.
Organization.
Fine friends helped us overcome tough economic conditions. These PhD’s in Chemistry, Graduate Chemists, IT Professionals, Food Sanitation Specialists and Sales leaders supported Algonquin through the ‘lean years.’ Most of them also became Algonquin shareholders.
Like the Algonquin Peoples, we are a flat organization blessed with leadership and participation ‘around our table.’ We have progressed through the last few years with a growing lineup of top professionals; especially in our core Food business, Vehicle Wash and general cleaning chemicals.
Mission.
We began and continue to offer three distinct contributions to our customers.
First, we hire only experienced and highly trained individuals; then support them with all necessary resources to assure success.
Secondly, our objective is to present our customers with quantifiable results. Those are products, people and services that directly impact your income statement and balance sheet
Further, we aim to accomplish this through one on one interaction at plant and customer locations by emphasizing best practices in cleaning / sanitation, training, safety and environmental responsibility.
Direction.
Our third party market evaluations rate Algonquin as one of the fastest growing businesses in the industrial cleaning segment.
We are able to operate in this accelerated manner because all earnings from the past 12 years have continuously been reinvested in growth.
Our geographic footprint has expanded to all markets east of the Mississippi River and most adjoining western states.
We now have facilities for customer service in both the Atlanta and Boston areas and plans for a 2020 midwest location.
Our direct sales force is 30 people strong including all three managers and our customer base is growing and expanding with us; including our very first account, Pan Glo.
Outlook.
Simple, keep moving and keep improving.
We will continue to emphasize and invest in training and product development for Food Sanitation along with Vehicle Wash and general industrial cleaning products.
We subscribe to the discipline of continuous improvement and welcome challenges from both new and existing customers.
Finally, we always keep an eye out for men and women with that entrepreneurial spirit.
