By Joe Kertzman, managing editor, Badger Common’Tater
As Volm Companies celebrates 70 years in business, in 2024, company President and CEO Daniel Mueller reflects on the multi-generational family operation headquartered in Antigo, Wisconsin, and how it has evolved and grown through seven decades.
The small family-run operation got underway, in 1954, in Bryant, selling groceries and hardware supplies and serving the needs of local dairy and potato farmers. That’s when Gerald Volm realized that local customers needed a reliable supplier of used and new burlap to get their potatoes to market.
Over time, the company formed distributor relationships with other bag companies and moved its growing business to Antigo, where it began manufacturing its own products to meet changing market needs.
Volm Companies has since expanded to include multiple manufacturing and distribution locations across the nation.
Partnerships include those with Sunkist and Green Giant to produce packaging to their exact specifications, and national and regional retailers such as Menards and Fleet Farm to distribute consumer items like snow and garden fences, shade cloth and privacy fabric.
BAGGING & PACKAGING
Over the years, Volm Companies has grown to become one of the industry’s leading sources for packaging and equipment solutions, including, of course, potato bagging, packaging and palletizing machines and supplies.
“One of the things that impresses me most about Volm’s history,” Mueller says, “is how the first and second generations of the Volm family had a passion to serve the customers.”
“They weren’t necessarily trying to develop innovative solutions, partnerships or growth for the sake of growth; it just happened because of answering the question, ‘What’s best for our customers?’” he adds.
“Once that became clear, they were unafraid to take risks, invest in new technologies, and diversify their product lines and services,” Mueller continues. “While doing all this, they recognized the importance of building strong relationships with customers, suppliers, their local communities, and employees.”
In conclusion, Mueller says, “I’m impressed that 70 years later, we have retained our focus on striving to do what’s best for the customer and letting our decisions flow from there.”
