Page 27 - NECO News

ADC Chapter Dealer Feature
MARTIN APPLIANCE:
TREATING CUSTOMERS LIKE FAMILY BY JUDY KNEISZEL
LIKE APPLE AND HARLEY DAVIDSON, Martin Appliance is a success- ful company that got its start in its founder’s garage. The now six-store appliance dealership was founded in Dennis Martin’s 200-square-foot Myerstown, Penn- sylvania garage in 1973, and moved into a new retail store built just east of town in 1979. As the Martin family and the store’s customer base grew, new locations and service lines were added. The Martin Companies now include a water-con- ditioning business as well as furniture and mattress showrooms.
While Dennis Martin remains CEO, there are now more family members involved in the company including two sons and a son-in-law. Sons Jeff and Dwayne Martin and son-in law Paul Landis actively work in and manage the business. Dennis’ daughter, Dawn, assists in administrative tasks.
Martin Appliance showrooms are located in Myerstown, Brownstown, Cleo- na, Ephrata, Reading and New Providence (Quarryville), PA. All six are owned and operated by the Martin family with help from more than 60 associates in- cluding Jake Burkholder and members of his family. Jake, who started out as a service technician in 1978, worked in several areas of the business and is now the service manager. Jake’s son Matthew is sales manager, while another son, Mi- chael, is a salesman. Rounding out the Burkholder team, Jake’s son Andrew is a service manager and son-in-law Aylmer Kauenhofen is one of the company’s 26 appliance technicians providing in-home service. Jake’s daughter, Judith, works part time for Martin Appliance from her home office.
“I grew up in the business,” said Matthew Burkholder. “I remember coming in on Saturdays with my dad when I was a kid. I just knew this was what I was going to do.”
Matthew said it’s great working with the Martins because they are heavily involved in the business.
“It’s all hands on deck and they’re right there in the trenches working with us,” he said. “It’s a great team effort.”
Martin Appliance started out in the garage of his homestead in 1973.
DECEMBER 2016
NECO News 27