Across
generations
By Emily Refermat, Editor
ow do you keep a legacy alive? For
Mark Lathrop, current president
of Uncasville, CT-based Lathrop
Vending Inc. the answer is both
simple and complex, but can be
expressed in one word — change.
Since he took over the family vending busi-
ness in 2011, Mark has successfully added
micro markets, card readers, invested in GPS
and is now offering more offce coffee-related
options that increase same-store sales.
The evolution of untapped revenue
sources and use of new technologies were
strategies Mark already knew would work to
grow the company, as he had seen his father
utilize similar measures in the years Mark
was growing up. In fact, being raised inside
the company his grandfather started over 40
years ago is one of Mark's greatest prides. He
was there as it grew from about one route to
today's 18 plus. And Mark doesn't believe
it's done yet.
The legacy operation
Mark grew up doing ride-a-longs and flling
vending machines in the family business. "I
worked in the summer for my grandfather
when I was 8 years old," he recalled, "so I've
been able to watch and be part of growing
the business from my grandparents to over
30 employees in 43 years."
In 1971, Mark's grandfather, Lawrence
Lathrop, was making deliveries for a bever-
age company and the clients weren't happy
with the business agreement. They told him
that they would rather work with just him.
Based on their comments, Lawrence set out
on his own and formed Lathrop Vending.
Unparalleled customer service was his mis-
sion from day one.
Lawrence's son, Larry, became head of the
business in 1989 upon his father's retirement.
Larry had goals of making Lathrop Vending
the largest vending company in Eastern Con-
necticut. Under his direction the company
H
In Eastern Connecticut, a 44-year-old vending
company has grown up thanks to three generations of
Lathrops and their ability to change with the times.
12 Automatic Merchandiser VendingMarketWatch.com May 2015
C O V E R S T O R Y
''
I've been able to watch and be part of
growing the business from my grandparents
to over 30 employees in 43 years.
''
Mark Lathrop, president of Lathrop Vending, Inc.
Mark Lathrop, left,
took over the family
business from his
father, Larry, right,
in 2011. Mark's
grandfather started
the company in 1971.