AMSAN NOGG PROVIDES RESOURCES ON NATIONAL, LOCAL LEVELS - News Detail

AMSAN NOGG PROVIDES RESOURCES ON NATIONAL, LOCAL LEVELS

Published: July 28, 2005

North Council Golden Spike Award Recipient: AmSan Nogg Chemical & Paper*

A division of the largest national janitorial-specific company in America, AmSan Nogg Chemical & Paper has national capabilities as well as expertise on a local level.

Despite an environment of continual change, AmSan Nogg has become an industry leader over its 80-year history. In 1925, when Nate Nogg convinced his brother Ernie that they should go into business together, Nogg Brothers was born.

By 1933, tough economic times brought two struggling businesses together in Nogg Bloch Paper. After two years, Nate and Ernie purchased the complete business, returning the company name to Nogg Brothers.

Nogg Brothers Paper Company became incorporated in the 1960s and continued growing until 1993, when Bruce Shackman and Shelley Riha purchased the business. National janitorial distribution chain AmSan, LLC bought Nogg Chemical & Paper in 1999.

The company has faced and overcome a number of challenges over the years, particularly the transition from a small family-owned business to a large corporation.

“While many of our processes and policies require us to act like a corporation, we continually work hard to maintain a family environment for the numerous long-term employees that have helped us build Amsan Nogg into what it is today,” said company President and General Manager Rick Faber. “We are also continually transforming our product offering to meet the needs of the changing environments for our customers.”

AmSan Nogg’s success is evident in its growth. Beginning with two brothers and the support of their family, the company has grown to 120 full-time employees reaching markets in Nebraska, Iowa and Colorado.

Over time, AmSan Nogg has become known as a value-added distributor. “Our people are passionate about providing value to the customer beyond just delivering product,” Faber said. “Our mission is to be the leading solution-based provider in our industry. We provide the tools and education needed to maintain clean, safe and healthy buildings.”

A key asset the company has always taken into consideration is its own building space. Increased demand led AmSan Nogg to five different spaces in the downtown area, each larger than the last. Finally, a challenge became an opportunity in 1988 when downtown office space was eliminated to make room for the ConAgra campus. Taking advantage of the tax incentives available in the North Omaha development zone, the Nogg family decided to build their headquarters in the area.

AmSan Nogg was one of the pioneering businesses to build its facility near the airport. The investment has proved a wise one, as the company has since expanded the building to accommodate growing demand.

“As our business expanded, the North Omaha location was convenient to I-680 and I-80 for deliveries to the Sioux City, Lincoln and Des Moines markets. It also provided a short commute for the great number of Iowa employees at Nogg,” Faber said. “North Omaha and the Airport Business Park continue to be a great location for us. We’re able to attract great employees from the area and the growth of Omaha north of downtown will only connect us more. The business environment is terrific!”

* This story is the second in a series of six about each of the recipients of the 2005 Golden Spike Awards, which honor local businesses for their longevity and investment in Greater Omaha. The Chamber chooses one company from each of six geographical areas, where the honorees have contributed to the vitality of their neighborhoods and the community at large. These businesses will be honored at the Golden Spike Awards Breakfast at Holiday Convention Centre Thursday, August 18. The 7:30 a.m. breakfast is $20 per person or $160 per table of eight for members and $30 per person or $240 per table of eight for non-members. Reserve your place at this event, sponsored by Gateway Community Bank, by contacting Maria at reservations@omahachamber.org or 978-7912.