Bongard History


		Bongard Corporation History Celebrating More Than Twenty-Five Years of Faithful Service 1970's Ron Bongard started Bongard Sales Company on August 1, 1975. Ron's experience was rather limited at that time but he had a strong entrepreneurial spirit, and a caring mentor in Mr. Al Luger. Mr. Luger was Ron's boss at Luger Services, Inc., a successful small rep firm based in Minneapolis. Ron and Al worked closely together providing a strong sales and marketing effort on several key product lines to the plumbing, HVAC and industrial segments of the construction industry. When Ron developed "wanderlust" after four years of service, Al proposed helping him start a new rep firm. It was with Al's direction, guidance, and the contribution of two established companies to the new firm that it was able to open for business. The original company was started in the basement of Bongard's house. Bongard Sales was successful from the onset. It grew fast adding several new companies to represent and new customers for these new and established lines. With substantial growth and a wide geographical territory, Bongard sales hired Robet Wanberg as a second salesperson in late 1976. It was also in 1976 that the firm moved to a new, modern office space and hired a full-time customer service person. Sales continued to rapidly increase with the synergism of talented, hardworking people teaming up with quality, aggressive manufacturers. 1980's On January 1, 1980, Bob Wanberg became a partner and the firm changed its name to Bongard and Wanberg, Inc. In 1981 the firm opened a warehouse to provide "just in time" service using public warehouse space. In 1983, Bongard and Wanberg, Inc. purchased some of the assets of Luger Services upon Mr. Luger's impending retirement. The firm expanded further with the addition of Luger's key employee, a personable and extremely knowledgeable inside salesperson. It also hired an outside salesperson who covered North and South Dakota operating out of Aberdeen, South Dakota. The firm at that time covered northern Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska, and North and South Dakota. In mid-1985 the firm changed further, when Bob Wanberg left to start his own manufacturer's rep firm. Negotiations enabled this new firm to start with a "handful" of lines that were previously represented bu Bongard and Wanberg, Inc. Wanberg's successor was hired shortly after his departure. In 1986 the firm changed its name reflecting the change in ownership to Bangard Corporation. It also implemented a new computerized quotation system that gave the firm an early competitive edge on its market. Another significant development in that year was the purchase of some of the assets of Lee Sales. The assets included the opportunity to represent Elkay Manufacturing Company, the world's leading manufacturer of stainless steel sinks, water coolers and other related products. 1987 was a consolidation year for Bongard Corporation, trying to integrate Elkay and several other significant companies, along with Mr. Lee into the firm. Several additional support people were added in 1987 including Kathleen Schug, who today is Bongard Corporation's lead customer service person and a key employee. It also began representing Aqua Glass Corporation in 1987. In 1988, Bongard Corporation suffered a significant setback. The firm lost the services of three outside salespeople and one inside salesperson. It also lost the opportunity to represent two major lines and several smaller lines. Bongard Corporation was strongly impacted by these losses. The firm was forced to look introspectively at itself. Bongard had to recognize its attributes and build a future on those. The firm prospers in business today because of four key things: Lessons learned in 1998 Loyalty of key employees who had the confidence to stay with the firm through the turbulent months Loyalty and confidence of the manufacturers who stayed with the firm Many customers within the territory that supported Bongard Corporation The firm was humbled and thankful in recognition of this. In 1989 Bongard consolidated its territory to form its current business boundaries. The firm's focus is exclusively on Minnesota, North and South Dakota, and strictly to the mechanical trades. It also added two new piping lines, Freedom Plastics and Colonial Engineering. 1990's In 1990 Bongard Corporation added the services of Bob DeFoe as an inside/outside salesman. Bob is a piping specialist with over 20 years of wholesale experience. The addition of new lines and a fast developing synergism between motivated employees and manufacturers enabled rapid growth in 1990 and beyond. Valerie Knode joined the form as an inside sales / customer service person in 1991. In 1992 the firm moved to a larger facility and opened its own warehouse with expanded office space. Two new employees were added for the warehouse, including Bob Bongard. Bob manages the warehouse and is Bob DeFoe's "understudy" in customer service. At this time the company upgraded their computer system by implementing a state-of-the-art local area network and new, custom designed software. This InDepthRep software is designed to meet the needs of Bongard's sales agency. There are a small group of plumbing reps nationwide who have purchased and use this software. It provides the user with significant efficiency and productivity, allowing the company to provide superior service to its customers. In 1993 the firm went on line with two major manufacturers, Elkay Manufacturing and Aqua Glass. In 1995 Michael Sides joined the firm. He assumed outside sales responsibility for several Twin City accounts, the majority of western Minnesota, and all of North Dakota. In 1997 the company purchased a nearly new 17,500 square foot office and warehouse facility. Office space was completely renovated and furnished to provide a pleasant, efficient work enviornment. The firm went on-line in 1997 and upgraded software once again. In 1998 Bongard Corporation salesmen began using laptop computers, which enabled them to have up-to-date information on each account with them at all times. The firm purchased an 18-foot display and a new Chevrolet Suburban to tow it. This is used to display plumbing products to distributors, contractors, builders and designers in the field. In early 1999 e-mail was implemented for each employee. Bongard Corporation increased its customer service functions further in 1999 by going on line with two additional manufacturers and assuming more functions previously performed at the factory level. In 1999 Mike Sides began a three-year course of study to attain his CPMR rep certification. Peter Mayer was added to the staff as another full-time outside salesman. 2000 In 2000 Aqua Glass Corporation withdrew from this territory, ceasing sales to Bongard's customers. This left a major void. The agency began representing Aquarius Corporation, an Aqua Glass competitor. Bongard has had immediate success with Aquarius. Conversion is in the process. Optimistic forecast appears to be exceeded.
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