Culture Crash: Merging Generations in Family-Owned Businesses By Nicole Mitchell, editor, Inside Rubber
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amily-owned businesses are extremely prevalent in the US; in fact, there are 5.5 million family businesses in the country, according to Grand Valley State University’s Family Owned Business Institute, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Family Enterprise USA, Washington, D.C., reported that over 90% of family businesses feel that what sets them apart from non-family firms is long-term investment philosophy, commitment to employees and suppliers, and contributions to their communities. The same could be said for two ARPM members: Verona Rubber works, Inc. and Custom Rubber Corp. Verona Rubber – previously H+M Rubber – was created in 1986 by Cathy and Mike Othon and their friend, Harvey Van Cleave. The business has gone through a variety of changes throughout the years, including Van Cleave leaving the company; Verona now is located in Blackstone, Illinois, and is run by Cathy and Mike Othon and their two children, Ben and Cindy. The company does work in agriculture, valve and water industries, construction, military and trucks. Custom Rubber serves a few different markets, including consumer products, oil, gas and wastewater treatment to name a few. The company was created in 1956 and has been owned by the Braun family since 1980. Now, Charlie Braun, the second generation, is the president and owner of the company.
family and work as much as possible – which can be difficult when working with parents or siblings on a daily basis. This can be as simple as paying attention to how one addresses their family members while at work. “When I worked here in 2000, I called my parents by their first names,” Braun said, whose parents have since retired. “It was important. It mattered a lot to me.” Braun worked at Custom Rubber while he was in high school, helping around the shop wherever he was needed. But after college, his parents requested that before coming back to the company, he first work somewhere else. After gaining more experience, Braun decided to rejoin the company. Othon, whose parents still are actively running the business, said he functions similarly. “When people ask me, ‘How is your dad doing?’, I answer, ‘Oh, Mike’s doing great.’” Each family member has their own role in the business – although sometimes those roles overlap or one person may take on more than his given title. However, it’s important to understand the roles that family members play in the company and appreciate the different skillsets and capabilities each
While family businesses are prevalent in the US, there still are questions that many ask themselves on what it’s like to transition ownership from one member to another.
Family dynamics matter
The dynamics at family-owned businesses are bound to vary from business to business; however, the number one suggestion from both Ben Othon and Charlie Braun are to separate 26 Inside Rubber // 2022 Issue 2
The Braun Family
