Since 1928 we’ve delivered more than electrical products; we’ve solved problems for our customers, developed lasting relationships with suppliers and given back to the many communities that support us. Because we believe a company should do more than live by its values—it should create lasting value as well.
As a 100 percent employee-owned company, we understand that when you succeed, we succeed. That’s why each one of our employee-owners works hard to improve customers’ productivity and profitability by delivering superior products and innovative services.
Here’s how we work to create lasting value:
Unparalleled customer service. We’re dedicated to providing everything you need to succeed, including:
Delivering superior products. Our expert product specialists recommend and select the right products for your exact needs.
Customized services and solutions. We are all empowered to find the best solution for your needs, whether it comes from finding the right product or creating an entirely new service.
R.L. Van Meter and R.W. Lemley founded The Van Meter Company in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, just before the start of the Great Depression in 1928. Proving they were forward thinking from the beginning, the bright duo outfitted their headquarters with fluorescent lighting—the first building west of the Mississippi to have such a feature.
Despite the daunting task of selling new technology during difficult economic times, The Van Meter Company survived—and thrived. Powered by the motto “Service is our first thought,” The Van Meter Company succeeded because they believed that owners, employees and customers should treat each other as family.
Underlying their commitment to service was their tireless spirit of innovation. Each employee was encouraged to listen to customers and motivate manufacturers to create better solutions. They understood that when customers’ businesses grew, the whole “family” grew.
Now, more than 90 years later, 850+ employee-owners remain committed to these values. Whether our customers need wire services, technical support, project management assistance or additional solutions, our team is ready and willing to go above and beyond.
We work. We grow. We innovate. We advance. That’s because our purpose is more than electrical distribution. Our shared purpose is to create lasting value for those we serve.
Because every employee is also an equal owner in our company, we value each other as well as our customers. Here are the beliefs that guide each and every one of us, every day:
PeopleWe help our people to be their personal best.
PartnersWe build strong relationships with our customers and suppliers.
ProgressWe improve ourselves and our company every day.
PlaceWe make a difference in the places where we work and live.
ProfitWe grow to reinvest in our business and our people.
When you work with a team member at Van Meter, you’re not just working with an employee—you’re working with an owner. An owner who’s empowered to make decisions, create solutions and do what’s right for your business. Because we know that when our customers succeed, we succeed.
Van Meter is proud to say that we’ve been 100 percent employee-owned since 2005. We understand that each of us is responsible for growing our business, and to do that, we work to grow our customer’s business by nurturing relationships, developing innovative services, and delivering best-in-class products on time.
We place the power in our employee-owners’ hands with an ESOP, Employee Stock Ownership Plan. The Van Meter ESOP is a retirement plan that requires the company to create a trust to acquire stock. Unlike a 401(k) plan, employees do not contribute to the ESOP. Van Meter makes all contributions. The Van Meter ESOP Committee works together to ensure all employee-owners understand the value of owning our company and our future.
Learn more about ESOP companies by visiting The ESOP Association and the National Center for Employee Ownership.
We’re a small company with a big heart. It’s our honor to give back to the communities, organizations and people that power our personal and professional lives.
We are connected to our communities. We coach local t-ball teams. We walk for the cure. We serve our schools. And we support local theater productions. In fact, each year our employee-owners volunteer more than 6,000 hours to local communities. And, as a company, we’re honored to donate more than $800,000 annually to local charities.
When you do business with Van Meter, you help us extend our gifts to many. Because, from where we stand, being an integral part of the communities we serve and contributing to the quality of life is vital to our success.
Discover how three former Van Meter interns turned their internships into full-time careers by gaining real experience, building relationships and taking initiative.
