75 Years and Still in Business!

I just returned from a trip to San Antonio to celebrate the 75th anniversary of an independent sales rep company, Hirsig-Frazier. You think it's tough to run a manufacturing company, a publishing company, or a repair shop for 75 years? Try being a sales rep. Current President, Wally Lyssy, runs the rep agency out of Dallas, TX, but they have a satellite office in Springfield, MO. From an agency that began in Dallas in 1932, it has grown to an eleven-state agency that covers the automotive aftermarket, including traditional, retail, and heavy-duty. Harley Willey, a former co-owner of Hirsig-Frazier said a few words at dinner the other night. He said when he started with Hirsig-Frazier in Dallas, there were over 50 sales rep agencies in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area alone. Today? How many are still in business? Not many. I'm sure you could tell similar stories about your businesses.

I have to say, sometimes a sales rep is considered to be the bottom rung of the ladder - one you can sometimes skip, and still get up the ladder. Over the years, I've seen many companies go through the exercise of dropping their reps, adding regional sales people, dropping regional sales people and bringing independent reps back on-line. The independent sales rep does not have an easy job, luckily for them, smart companies understand the value independent reps can provide.

As a testament to their longevity and their importance to their vendors and distributors alike, more than 80 people showed up to celebrate with Hirsig-Frazier on Tuesday. Many of the discussions centered around the friendships that had been forged over the years, some commented on their success as sales people, others as business people in general in an ever-more-competitive environment. Everyone had a story to tell. Roy Hurley, with the Stant Corporation, has been sales manager for 32 years. He pointed to every Hirsig-Frazier rep in the room, one at a time, saying - "you see him? I trained him in 1989. See him? Trained him in 1993. I've trained every single one of the Hirsig-Frazier guys here today." By the end of each evening, there was a whole lotta lovin goin on.

In addition to recognizing Hirsig-Frazier for 75 years of continued business, Wally Lyssy recognized sales professional, Jack McEvoy. He has been with the H-F Company for 23 years!

Wally acknowledged their rich history in the automotive aftermarket, and their continued commitment to the future. They currently have 28 people employed, four of which graduated from Northwood University.

Congratulations Wally, Stephen, M.J., and your entire team! You represent a great group of professionals, and we wish you the best for (at least) the next 75 years.

(come back next week for photos.)