Kendall-Grundy Farm Service Company Records

Kendall-Grundy PS, Inc., organized in 1971, originally started business as two separate companies: Kendall Farmers Oil and Grundy Service Company.  Both companies distributed oil and gasoline to area farmers.  Grundy County customers initially received products from Kendall Farmers Oil, but in 1934, the increasing call for more oil induced Grundy County Farm Bureau to organize the Grundy Service Company.  E. D. Cook, manager of Kendall Farmers Oil, also served as head of the new company.  The close cooperation between the two companies continued until they voted to cancel joint management in 1947.  Each company went on to update and increase their facilities.   By 1970 increased competition and tight margins encouraged a new look at the “one company per county” policy.  The feeling grew that by merging the two companies, greater advantages would be gained in volume buying and more efficient use of personnel and equipment.  In 1971, the shareholders agreed to a merger, forming Kendall-Grundy FS, Inc. Robert Ament, president; Gary Granby, vice-president; Russell Halkyard, secretary; and Robert Vilmin, treasurer presided as the first board of directors.  Jerry Herrman became manager of the newly-formed company.  In 1977, the company received the FS Golden Anniversary Award as one of the top seven companies in the Illinois Farm Supply Co. system.   The Kendall-Grundy FS, Inc. continues to follow the original companies’ objectives: improve the profitability of farming; maintain sound financial policies and practices; preserve local ownership and control; lend support to Farm Bureau; provide fair and equitable treatment for employees; promote the welfare of the community; and operate under sound business ethics and principles.

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