Automatic_Merchandiser_June-July_2021 - 35

M
aumee Valley Group not
only persevered through the
challenges posed by COVID19
and its ensuing lockdowns, but
found new opportunities that emerged
in its wake, giving the three-generation
operation extra cause for celebration as
it marks 75 years in business.
Established in 1946, Maumee
Valley Group, previously Maumee
Valley Vending, is headquartered
in Defiance, Ohio, in the state's
northwest corner. Its 175-person team
services more than 700 locations and
500,000 customers throughout Ohio,
Indiana and Michigan, meeting every
need of locations large and small with
its micro markets, vending machines,
office coffee service, contract
foodservice and catering.
At the helm are Todd Plassman
and his sons Jordan and Jacob.
Together, they carry on the legacy of
Todd's father, Donald, who worked for
Maumee Valley Vending as its general
manager in its early days. He ran the
business for two different owners,
beginning with Mark Bowles, and
William Harmon, who were tobacco
farmers from Kentucky. Cigarette
vending laid the foundation for their
early and rapid expansion into fullline
vending. Shortly after starting as
general manager under the Bowles
and Harmon ownership, the operation
was purchased by another company,
who then continued to have Donald
navigate the business past the 1950s.
A FAMILY AFFAIR
When the previous owners were ready
to retire in 1997, Donald Plassman,
who had run the business as if it were
his own, was an obvious successor. He
bought a controlling share in MVG,
along with a fellow manager, Robert
Bostleman. At this point, Donald's
sons Todd and Scott had already been
on staff for some time.
Donald retired in 2000 selling his
interests to Scott and Todd Plassman.
Todd eventually bought out his
brother Scott, and his sons joined him
in the family business. Jordan came
aboard in 2011, and Jacob followed
close behind in 2013.
Since taking the reins, Todd has
been steadfast in his commitment
to continue to run the business by
the principles that established MVG
as a trusted name and convenience
services leader in the region that has
endured for decades.
" Maumee Valley Group believes
in family values, developing our
employees, encouraging wellness and
giving back to local communities any
adapt to better serve its customers.
That started with MVG's early
adoption of micro markets in 2012,
which immediately proved to double
revenues per route and have become
the breakroom concept of choice
compared to vending by expanding
variety to 500-plus items on average.
The mini automated convenience
stores, branded " Fresh Markets, "
together with its fresh-made foods,
have been central to the company's
growth strategy. MVG operates more
than 450 of the self-checkout stores,
and counting, along with 1,000
vending machines.
Maumee Valley Group, with the help of its dedicated and seasoned 40-person foodproduction
staff, has upscaled and rebranded to " Prime Seasons " its already highly
regarded fresh food program that has set the business apart from its competitors
for decades.
way possible, " he said. " We separate
ourselves from others in multiple
distinct ways: food quality, customer
service, reliable equipment and
competitive pricing. "
These facets have contributed to
MVG's enduring as leading foodservice
provider for over seven decades.
Todd credits his sons for bringing
an energy and open mindedness to
new technology that has kept the
company on the cutting edge in
support of its continued mission to
We put out new foods
in our Fresh Markets
that few companies can
match. It's exciting to take
it to a new level. "
Todd Plassman
June/July 2021 * VendingMarketWatch.com 35
http://www.VendingMarketWatch.com
Automatic_Merchandiser_June-July_2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Automatic_Merchandiser_June-July_2021
