Posted on 07/25/2016 1:20:41 PM PDT by MichCapCon
To succeed in business, you don’t always have to be first, just better. When the Abbo family failed to get reliable ice delivery for their three retail grocery stores 35 years ago, they saw an opportunity.
Saad Abbo remembers the tipping point came one hot summer weekend when his father called on a Thursday for a delivery and the ice showed on Monday.
“My father was so mad that we lost so much business. We waited four days for ice and that shouldn’t have happened," Abbo said. "He said that we could do a lot better — let’s open an ice company.”
The company purchased a small five-ton ice-maker, which could make 10,000 pounds of ice a day, and two trucks. In the first year, Abbo and his brother signed up 50 customers. The following year, their customer base increased to 150. Today, U.S. Ice is the largest independent ice company in Detroit, serving 3,000 customers. Recently, the company expanded into the ice carving business.
“My father put in my mind the reason we are in business is because of service,” said Abbo.
One of Abbo’s customers is Detroit’s Imperial Supermarket.
“If we run out, we call them and they get a truck here right away,” said supermarket manager Justin Shina.
U.S. Ice has managed to grow despite Detroit’s economic and demographic decline during the 30 years it’s been in business.
“There were hard times and times where we almost didn’t make it but you stay on it," Abbo said. "You work hard. You work every day. I would be here seven days a week without going home sometimes.”
One of the biggest challenges was the Detroit city bureaucracy. Getting permits to expand was difficult. Abbo was prepared to leave Detroit. But several years ago, he noticed a change.
“Now, when we did this big expansion, with the help of the Chaldean Chamber, the city actually worked with us this time. I really saw an improvement, and for me, that was the first time ever,” he said.
Another challenge has been staying relevant. Most food companies can make their own ice. U.S. Ice had to offer something different and Abbo’s son states it without flinching.
“Service. Service. Service. He drilled it into my head since I was a kid and I wasn’t even here (working) but he naturally says these things because my grandpa, his dad, was so adamant about it and it was passed on to him and he passed it on to me," said Jacob Abbo. "There is nothing more important than service. You can have the cheaper price but if you don’t have the service, none of that matters. You want to make sure they have no reason to go to anyone else but you.”
Automation has allowed the company to reach more stores and hire more drivers. Within a few years, the company hopes to have plants throughout the state.
“I get calls from Lansing, from Traverse City, from Canada, because they don’t get their service there and they ask me when can you come out here,” said the senior Abbo. He says a mass-market retail chain is interested in contracting with U.S. Ice for its stores in Michigan.
The American Arab Chamber of Commerce inducted Abbo into its Entrepreneur Hall of Fame and he’s been recognized by the Michigan Legislature and Gov. Rick Snyder.
“I thank my father for pushing me to do this even though we were against him, but you know now, I thank him every, every day. It’s been a blessing. I have three sons and hopefully, they can learn,” Saad Abbo added.
Hard work is something a lot of people do not understand.
U.S. Ice has the western suburbs locked in. And they get a lot of business from me.
Arab or not, I like reading a story about somebody who ‘gets it’. Good post.
Detroit's government and regulatory problems have been legendary. That this family could grow a business in the environment where bribery was common is very impressive! I wonder if that 'several years ago' change was around the time that the Michigan State Government took more control (March 2013)?
I’ve lived half of my life on the east side of Detroit and it’s good to see people making a go of it, despite meddlesome bureaucrats throwing up roadblocks to a successful business and a productive life. The Chaldeans, from my memory, are Christian Iraqis who were ubiquitous in the party store sector when I lived there. They bought Melody Farms Dairy, which was a large distributor in the area, and are fine citizens, for the most part. But, don’t get me going about Dearbornistan.
I'd be cool with that
While I agree 100%, I also noted the reference to "Chaldean Chamber" in the story and that may mean this family is likely Chaldeans/Assyrian Christian (Eastern Rite Catholic and united with the Roman Catholic Church). They were post WW One refugees from the Islamic persecutions in (now) Syria and Iraq following the breakup of the Ottoman Empire.
The linked web site specifies the following; "Historically, Chaldeans are from the Arab World but are not Arabs."!
“Hard work is something a lot of people do not understand.”
Not since LBJ’s War on Poverty anyway.....
Procreate and get paid..Awl U knead 2 no.....
The Chaldean Chamber website lists Christian activities, so there is no doubt they are not Islamic. The self-segregation of Islamicists makes them pretty easy to identify—one us more likely to see a cross on a vapire’s website than on a Muslim’s.
Arab is not necessarily muslim.
I agree - I had no intent to imply as much. Since the article mentioned it, I did as well; but only for the purpose of noting an immigrant who seems to adapting to society in a productive manner. Could be Zoroastrian for all I care.
Thanks for that - see also an explanatory note in #12.
Good story. Thanks.
....own virtually every gas station and party store throughout S.E. Michigan if not the entire state.
As a matter of fact, one of the mechanics who works in the repair shop of the Marathon Gas Station at the corner of Hayes and M-59, his family owns a pizzeria in Boyne Falls and a gas station in East Jordan...........
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.