One of the most fascinating aspects of being corporate storytellers, company history book publishers and heritage management specialists is the privilege to get to meet and listen to the stories of the most inspirational entrepreneurs and learning about their journeys in a great variety of industries. Just two months in, 2019 is shaping up to be another great year of the most rewarding experiences. Here are three new 2019 company anniversary, business history and entrepreneurial legacy books we are currently working on that are slated for publication in 2019.
RBJ Schlegel Holdings Inc.
In January, we partnered with Kitchener, Ontario-based RBJ Schlegel Holdings Inc. for the creation of a book capturing the truly inspirational story of Ron Schlegel, the Schlegel family and the various companies operating under the RBJ Schlegel Holdings Inc. umbrella in the fields of retirement living, health care, urban development, and agribusiness. While interviewing over 50 business and community stakeholders, including the former Governor General of Canada, the Right Honourable David Johnston, the main themes of the book evolved—community building, integrity and excellence. Further featuring the stories of the Schlegel-University of Waterloo Research Institute for Aging (RIA), Homewood Health and the Homewood Research Institute (HRI), the book that is authored by HBS’s Dr. Ulrich Frisse explores the Mennonite heritage, entrepreneurial vision, community mindedness, and aspirations for having a lasting impact in the community that have guided Ron and the Schlegel family for three generations.
Normac Kitchens Limited
The fourth in a series of books on highly successful immigrant kitchen manufacturers in Ontario, Vision, Loyalty, Opportunity – The Story of Hans Marcus and Normac Kitchens follows the evolution of Thornhill, Ontario-based Normac Kitchens Limited from its founder’s upbringing in Germany through the company’s early years to its current role as an industry leader in the production of high-volume kitchens for the builder industry. Authored by one of Canada’s leading company history writers, Dr. Ulrich Frisse, Normac’s is a story of dedicated family entrepreneurship across two generations, the book zooms in on Hans Marcus’s story, his vision as an entrepreneur and the long-lasting relationships that have shaped Normac over the course of 50 years.
Larsen & Shaw
The Hinge People – 100 Years of Larsen & Shaw Ltd. is a commemorative 2019 company anniversary book telling the story of Walkerton, Ontario-based hinge manufacturer Larsen & Shaw Limited. Authored by family entrepreneurs Carl Larsen and John Larsen, this new 2019 company anniversary book combines two volumes covering the years 1919 to 2019. In the first volume, the late Carl Larsen describes the first 75 years of the company. His contribution to the 2019 company anniversary book was first published under the title “An Odyssey” to mark the company’ 75th anniversary in 1994. In the 2019 company anniversary book’s second volume, Carl Larsen’s son and current Chairman of the company, John Larsen, takes the reader through the last 25 years of the business. Together, Carl and John Larsen reflect on key themes that have shaped the company, the Larsen family and the local community over the course of a century, including multi-generational family entrepreneurship, personal and corporate values, and dedication to Walkerton and its people as a small-town Ontario manufacturing business, community partner and employer.
About Historical Branding Solutions
As North America’s leading corporate storytelling agency, company history book publisher, and corporate history books publishing house, Historical Branding Solutions Inc. is the provider of choice for the most distinguished family businesses, corporations and not-for-profit organizations when looking for a team of content creation and design professionals to create and publish the finest corporate history books, company history books, business anniversary books, franchisee story books, and legacy books for legacy preservation, milestone anniversary celebration, and customer, employee, franchisee and community engagement. From its location with easy access to the Toronto International Airport, the HBS team serves clients all over Canada and the United States.
