Today we’d like to introduce you to Kurt Kropp.
Kurt, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My father started the company in 1975 in the steel erection business, my family is ironworkers. I graduated college in 1988 and we started leasing equipment when we weren’t using it from our steel erection business from 1988 with one location to 2008, we grew from $500,000 gross business with 30 units to 21,000,000 gross business with 1100 units and four locations. We had a fall out in 2009, following the crash and downsized to approx 400 units with two locations since 2009, we have grown to 700 units with two locations and approx 12,000,000 gross.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Not at all, it’s when it isn’t smooth that makes us we were forced into chapter 11 in 2009 following the crash with one of our creditors. We fought through that process and made it out with no haircuts for our creditors and grew the business back with our 2500 customer base from 2009-2014 then, my partner and father unexpectadely passed in may of 2014. It has been a challenge from 2014-2018 without my father he had been semi retired since 2002 residing in florida. Our communications were every day mulitple times while I was running all operations with the passing of the phone doesnt ring. That has been been our roughest struggle the chapter 11 and then to make it out anf then the passing of my father. Little do we know, as we grow that we have to live to learn. All those things I use to hate about my father with the business made me who I am today. Barvaric work ethic, honesty and own everything we do.
kropp equipment inc – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We specialize in great service, equipment and the ease of doing business. We own everything we do, it isn’t when things go right that make us, it’s when they go wrong. I’m most proud of the people on our team, we don’t have good people, we have great people, no corporate attitude, just family gratitude.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Character, honesty, working, working and people that care!!!
Contact Info:
- Address: 1339 Yorkshire Dr. Streamwood IL 60107; 1020 Kennedy Ave Schererville IN 46375
- Website: www.kropp.us
- Phone: 866-402-2222
Image Credit:
Big Al Kropp, all dedicated team members
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