Small Business Week Spotlight: Bill Sauter

In honor of National Small Business Week, we are celebrating Vistage members who started small, dreamed big, and got results. Throughout the week, they will be sharing their stories on how they drive growth for their business, how they take risks, and what their visions are for the future. 

OHARCO, also known as the Omaha Hardwood Lumber Company, was established in 1898. Today it operates under the leadership of Bill Sauter as a wholesale distributor of interior building products, supporting professional cabinet shops and countertop fabricators. What makes Bill proud of his legacy family company is the loyalty and dedication employees have shown for more than a century. Many employees have worked at OHARCO for more than five years, and some even have worked for 30 years and counting.

My 3 to drive my business forward

1. Added two full-time positions (marketing and technology) previously served by part-time consultants.

2. Gave up control of sales and operations to other more talented individuals within our organization.

3. Mentoring key management to help guide those people in their roles.

My leap of faith

Invested in a manufacturing division to bring business back originally lost to an out of state competitor.

My vision for the future

Driving the service capabilities of our team to further enhance our customers’ experience.

Member Spotlight

Bill Sauter
President, OHARCO
www.oharco.com
Des Moines, IA
Vistage member since 2007
CE 112

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