The History of the Howard Berger Company |
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The Howard Berger Company was founded in 1971 by Howard Berger. Howard is a native of New York and was raised in Whitestone, Queens. His grandfather and
grandmother had founded a small hardware store in Williamsburg, Brooklyn in 1917. They worked there throughout their lifetime and eventually handed down the store to their sons who continued on in their parents'
tradition. The family business incorporated both Norman Berger and Simon Berger, Howard's father and uncle, as sole proprietors. As a young boy, Howard worked along with them and learned the foundations of a small
business including supplying needed products, building lasting relationships, and providing a service to his community. He also learned that long hours and hard work were necessary to build and grow a company. Howard
graduated college specializing in both teaching and mathematics. Throughout his short career as a teacher, he continued to look for ways to begin his own business while utilizing both his education and work skills from the
family business. This was a dream soon to become a reality. Howard realized that in order to found his business he would need to create a niche that would enable him to provide outstanding values to his customers.
Thus began the Howard Berger Company with the purchase of defective Christmas Lights that had no value in their current condition. Howard set up shop in his parents garage in Whitestone and hired helpers to repair and
repackage all the lights he was able to purchase. The company moved very quickly by obtaining very high margins from selling products that otherwise would have been discarded. Since our beginning, over a quarter of a
century ago, our intention remains unchanged, to be a leader in the industry by offering our customers outstanding value, the right selection of products, on-time delivery, and the proper service they expect and deserve.
These high standards we have set for ourselves have been a Howard Berger Company trademark, a part of our tradition, as well as our goal for the future. Howard ventured into the import and national distribution business by
creating the Guard Security Hardware division of our company. Our first product lines were developed in both Hong Kong and Taiwan. We were one of the first companies to work in China when business opened in 1978 and
traveled as far as Mongolia to purchase our brass padlocks. Guard was one of the first importers of locks and builders hardware from this region and quickly become an industry leader and recognized national brand name.
In the early years, we were forced to compete against American made products which were being sold at significantly higher prices. Today, as the world is becoming a better educated global economy, those same competitors are
trying to source their products offshore as well. Our experience, longevity and long term relationships certainly provide us a competitive edge. In the mid-1970's, Howard purchased the Domestic Broom and Brush Company
which had been in business for over thirty years. This company was the foundation for our entry into the hardware and housewares wholesale business. The company added products to their existing line of brooms and brushes to
include almost anything that could be found in a modern hardware store or home center. Once the product lines were fully established the customer base grew through numerous acquisitions. In the 1980's, the Howard Berger
Company purchased Stormin Hardware of Philadelphia. This company sold closeout products to retailers across America. We continued to develop and grow this business as offering our customers a value was always a
fundamental part of our mission. This selling branch utilizes both a direct sales force as well as attendance at national trade shows geared specifically toward the closeout industry. During the 1980's, we also
purchased the Metropolitan Housewares Company and the Nevco Housewares Company which would become the foundation of our continued growth in this area. Both lines were used to form the "My Helper" product line which is
currently sold throughout the United States. During the 1990's, we purchased the Acme Plumbing Company which was our first entry into the wholesale plumbing market. We have developed our own brand "Aqua Plumb", which has
been added to the wholesale line and further developed as its own selling branch on a national basis. Products form both of these branches are being sold along with our regular hardware products and have allowed us to become
a more valuable one stop source for our customers. In addition, we purchased the Messina Bros. Company which is being developed into our professional cleaning products supply line under the H.B. Smith Brand.
Howard Berger Company has seven well established selling branches:
Howard Berger Company has four name brands:
Howard Berger Company has completed the following projects:
The Howard Berger Company of the next millennium is prepared to face the many challenges that lie before us. We will continue to educate ourselves and evolve in order to meet the needs of our customers. We will
always remember our corporate mission that Howard founded the business upon:
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Copyright © 1999 Howard Berger Company. All rights reserved. |
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