hat will never work." This was
the frst thought Todd Plassman,
president of Maumee Valley Vend-
ing Co. in Defance, OH, had when he
was introduced to the micro market
concept four years ago. He felt that
micro markets would need such a
unique location to succeed, and that
in most places, theft would be much
too high. In 2016, however, he has
come a long way from that initial
apprehension. The company has
added an astounding 150 micro mar-
kets since 2012, doubled revenues per
route compared to vending and dou-
bled its employee count. Thanks to
healthy fresh food offerings, a strong
promotions program and attention to
area treatments, customers in the tri-
state area of Ohio, Michigan and Indi-
ana are asking for the micro market
breakroom concept as fast as MVVC
can install them.
"We are very pleased with how
our business is going," said Plass-
man, who works alongside his sons
Jordan and Jacob at the thriving fam-
ily business.
Employee turned owner
MVVC has been around since 1946.
Donald Plassman, the father of Todd,
worked at the company as the gen-
eral manager for many years in the
early days, running the business for
the original owners who lived out
of state. When they were ready to
retire, Donald was an obvious suc-
cessor. He knew the business, cus-
tomers, area and was dedicated to
seeing the company succeed. Donald
and Robert Bostleman bought a con-
trolling share along with Donald's
sons, Todd and Scott in 1997. The
two boys joined their father as every-
day employees until health problems
prompted Donald to sell the company
to them in 2000. Todd eventually
Micro Markets
Drive Business
Forward
Three generations of Plassmans have
worked at Maumee Valley Vending. Donald,
pictured on the wall, his son Todd, center,
and grandsons Jacob, left, and Jordan.
"
T
By Emily Refermat, Editor
ยป Specifcally, 70 percent of revenues
for this Ohio vendor are from micro
markets, helping him accelerate his
recovery from the Great Recession
and come out on top.
38 Automatic Merchandiser VendingMarketWatch.com June/July 2016
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