Nearly a century in business, R B Howes & Co. is making some changes.
Founded in 1920, the company has been known for years for diesel-fuel additives, a product that big-rig drivers depend on to make a living.
Now the company is coming out with a new line of products, including Diesel Lifeline, which is designed to re-liquify gelled (from the cold) diesel fuel and clear ice from frozen fuel filters. In addition, the product accomplishes this feat without using alcohol, which can corrode a truck’s fuel system.
But in addition to innovating on the product side of the business, Howes is slowly transferring the business to the next generation of the family.
The process is going smoothly, not just because the family gets along with one another, but because the next generation is into it, whether it involves coming out with new products or adding new branding to help customers understand how much the company offers.
With 22 employees, R B Howes & Co. is not a big company. Nor is it a young one. But it shows that business acumen that embraces change can reside anywhere.
