Today's Most Popular Video
Aug 9, 2008 10:47 pm US/Central
Looking Back At Todd Bachman's Role At The Company
(WCCO)
-
-
Dale said Todd Bachman was well-liked by his employees and will be very tough to replace as a company leader. (Todd Bachman, File)
Bachman's
Bachman's has been a part of the Minnesota floral and garden landscape since 1885. For 123 years, generation to generation, Bachman's has remained a family owned and operated business.
It all began on four acres of farmland in south Minneapolis. That is where German immigrants Henry and Hattie Bachman began planting potatoes, lettuce, onions and squash. Their farm had success, but after 20 years of business the landscape began to change.
"As the railroads came into their own and produce from southern markets could be shipped via rail up into the northern markets, it made it more difficult for the northern growers to compete," said Bachman's president Dale Bachman.
In 1914, Henry and Hattie's son Albert began planting flowers. As vegetable profits spoiled, the flower business flourished. After becoming a corporation in 1929, Bachman's became identifiable by its unique, purple color. Dale Bachman said the history behind the purple began when his grandfather went to buy some wrapping paper.
"The salesman showed him the color samples and my grandfather pointed at purple and said 'I want that one.' The salesman said 'you don't want that one, nobody wants that one.' He said 'that's why I do,'" said Dale.
Uniqueness is not just found in color, it is found in family. The Bachman's know how rare it is to be family owned for so long. In the 1970's Dale, along with Todd, Lee, and Paul became the fourth generation of Bachman's to take over the company. They said good planning and good employees have gotten them this far.
"That's what's brought them to this point, is the hard work and integrity. The family working together with outside employees coming in and helping. It's just a real comfortable place to work because you know where you stand," said Luverne Verhoeven, a Bachman's store manager for 30 years.
Dale Bachman said a 5th-generation family member just started working for the company. Today, Bachman's operates 29 retail stores in the Twin Cities and St. Cloud. They employ 1,600 people during their peak summer season. Dale said Todd Bachman was well-liked by his employees and will be very tough to replace as a company leader.
Todd and Barbara Bachmans have a home in Farmington and their three daughters went to Lakeville High School. Their daughter Elisabeth's high school volleyball coach, Milan Mader, said the family was always very supportive and encouraging. Mader said Todd and Barbara Bachman stayed involved with Lakeville athletics even after their daughters graduated. The couple also has four grandchildren.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Letters To Santa Sent To Sex Offender?
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
