The Journey to becoming a Leading Pallet Supplier

It started with a Game Farm

In 19XX Norbert Van Zeeland inherited the family dairy farm and homestead in rural Kaukauna. Together, Norbert and his brothers founded “Fox Valley Pheasant Farm”, raising game birds to sell to sporting clubs and state conservation departments, as well as New York night clubs and restaurants in the 1950s and 60s. Unfortunately, the East Coast market for wild game decreased and Norbert sold his interest in the game farm, but continued to operate his family’s dairy farm.

A New Business is Born: “Fox River Crate Company”

Through his connection with a local farm implement manufacturer, Badger Northland, Norbert embarked on a new business. Based on the implement manufacturer expressing a desire for a custom crate builder to support their shipping needs, the Van Zeelands put their prior pheasant coop building experience to use. In 1963 Norbert and his sons began building shipping crates in a pole shed behind their dairy farm.

As the fledgling company started to take hold, all of Norbert’s sons supported the business in one capacity or another. They worked nights and weekends building crates with hammers and nails. Through a relationship as the pallet supplier to local castings company Neenah Foundry, Fox River Crate Company began to expand to other wooden product offerings.

In 1968 the seemingly upward bound company experienced some major upsets. At the age of 55, Norbert unexpectedly passed away. A short time later, a fire destroyed crate manufacturing facility. The boys, now in their teens and twenties, had some tough decisions to make.

New Building, New Name. “Fox Valley Wood Products”

After their father’s passing, Tom, Don and Dale dedicated themselves to building a thriving business. They pushed the business forward with the addition of a 6,000 square foot manufacturing facility and a rebranding of the company to Fox Valley Wood Products. Roger joined his three brothers following completion of high school.

Throughout the next three decades, the four brothers built the company into a thriving operation including several building expansions and manufacturing upgrades.

The Next Generation…

As the third generation of Van Zeelands became teenagers, Tom, Travis and Jeff also got involved in the business. Following the completion of their college degrees and the retirement of their uncle Tom, Travis and Jeff began to work full time on the production floor in 1996. Jeff and Travis eventually bought the company from their parents and continue to lead Fox Valley Wood Products today.

With the third generation at the helm, Don and Dale continue to help the company on special projects and consultation. The company is fortunate and blessed to have grown under the leadership of hard-working individuals who were equally dedicated to being great fathers. Dale and Don laid the foundation to a successful future for the business based on three principles: excellent customer services, taking great care of employees and best practices for operating a successful business.