Imagine starting a business in a rural town of only 1,000 people and seeing it grow into a multi-million dollar business with multiple locations. Vander Haag’s Inc., a Kansas City leader in the trucking industry, has experienced that journey.
John C. Vander Haag Sr. started Vander Haag’s in 1939 as South Side Junkyard in tiny Sanborn, IA. His goal was to offer recycled parts during WWII when new parts were scarce. Today, Vander Haag’s headquarters is located in Spencer, IA under the leadership of John C.’s grandson, John M. Vander Haag.
The company is a leader in the trucking industry by offering used parts, service and repair, equipment sales and installation, truck and trailer sales, and new and rebuilt parts. The company has expanded to six locations in Iowa, South Dakota, Indiana, and Missouri, but according to General Manager Eric Krikke, the company has stayed true to its small town roots.
“For over 75 years, we have been a family-run business and we work hard to maintain that family-feel in each of our locations,” said Krikke. “Our staff feels like they are part of the family, and our customers know we take care of their needs.”
In 2013, the company invested in a $5 million dollar, 64,300 square foot facility in the Blue Valley PIEA Redevelopment Area near U.S. Highway 40 and Manchester Trafficway in Kansas City, MO. Krikke says Kansas City’s proximity to major interstates, intermodal centers, and volume of truck traffic made opening a location here a no-brainer.
“Kansas City is in a prime location for the trucking and transportation industry and it fit our footprint in the midwest,” said Krikke. “We have a huge opportunity to conduct business in Kansas City. There is no comparison to the volume of the transportation industry in rural Iowa.”
In 2014, Vander Haag’s won an EDC Cornerstone Award for their redevelopment and new construction project. The award recognizes companies and organizations that contribute to the growth of Kansas City’s economy.
“It was a pleasant surprise to be recognized, especially since we were new to the city,” said Krikke. “It’s a tribute to the hard work the people in our company put in to get this location up and running in a short timeframe.”
In fact, Krikke said the EDC has been key to their success. “We appreciate the efforts of the EDC and the time they put in to get us up and running in Kansas City,” said Krikke. “Since we were initially not familiar with development here, they were instrumental in helping us get through red tape, introducing us to the right people, and recommending different avenues we should take.”
The company continues to grow, and Krikke is excited about future opportunities in Kansas City. Since moving to town, they have created 35 jobs at an average salary of $50,000.
“I believe we can be successful in the Kansas City market, and we plan on being here for a long time,” said Krikke. “We are proud of the work we’ve accomplished here, and we want to grow this company to more than the Vander Haag family could ever have dreamed.”
To learn more about Vander Haag’s and the services they provide, please visit their website.