Herzog's can best be described as a great American success story on many levels—from not only a business standpoint but a personal one as well. Brad Jordan, its president, can’t say enough about the joy of working with the Herzog staff of employees and their loyal customers, “many of whom have become very close friends through the years,” says Brad. “We really do socialize together on a regular basis and enjoy each other’s company, whether it be at a ball game, cookout, social event, whatever. And it’s not just the employees getting together, but our spouses and kids all spend time together regularly as well. We have all grown up in the community, so in a lot of cases we all knew each other very well from outside of work prior to creating the work relationship.”
The business has actually spread out over a few locations in the Hudson Valley. It is comprised of a lumber and building material home center in Kingston; two paint and decorating shops under the name Hudson Valley Paint & Decorating in Poughkeepsie and Wappingers Falls; another two paint shops under the name Miller Paint & Decorating located in Albany and Latham; and its design center in Kingston Plaza.
Whew. While it may be a bit much to keep track of, a visit to Herzogs’ website at herzogs.com does a great job outlining what services they offer, the products they stock, and where the customer can best find them. And the list of categories covered is truly a homeowner’s dream: building supplies, animal products, apparel, repellents, traps, bulbs, seeds, tools, and, of course, paint!
The family-owned business has four family members running the day-to-day operations, and it’s Brad who has the top title of president. Brad, along with his dad, brother, and sister-in-law, covers every aspect of the business, including finances, marketing, and general managing of the operation. He praises his “key” employees that “run various aspects of the business. “We rely heavily on the expertise and hands-on approach of these manager,” says Brad.
Brad had other ideas after college graduation, but remembers when his grandfather, Robert Herzog, met with him and set up a plan that had him start right away, so he began his career with the family business immediately. The best part of the job for him, he says, is “working with a great group of employees and co-workers and servicing a very loyal customer base.” It’s those managers and co-workers that Brad praises for the success Herzog’s enjoys, despite the influx of big box shops. “We have numerous managers who have been with us for years, many of whom have previously been in business for themselves and truly understand the daily challenges of running a business and keeping customers satisfied and wanting to come back.”
The big box chains, ironically, have created a camaraderie of sorts, says Brad. “We are a member of five different buying groups comprised of members from across the country that are organized to create benefits in not just pricing, but product availability, product knowledge, and service.” Their recent expansion into lawn and garden, kitchen design, and power equipment service is a reaction to market needs.
Brad believes that what sets Herzog's apart from its competitors is how quickly they can react to customer service issues, market changes, and new products. Being locally owned and part of this community makes them want to support their customers and community. The business caters not only to the homeowner, but also to the professionals, and features premium, durable products and hands-on service and expertise while staying competitive. For both their homeowners and professionals, they offer “in-house” charge accounts, which is a great convenience.
However, it’s the people that make Herzog's the success story that it is. Says Brad, “I can truly say we have an inordinate number of people that treat this business as if it were their own—and for that we are very blessed and appreciative.”
For more information,
visit Herzog's at 151 Plaza Rd.
Kingston Plaza, Kingston; 845-338-6300;
herzogs.com
