Larry and Gary Perkins and Bob Crawford, Sr.
Perkins Inc.
It would be very easy to explain the reason Larry and Gary Perkins and Bob Crawford, Sr. of Perkins Inc. of Taunton, Mass., are being named to the Food Industry Hall of Fame is because the company’s sales have continued to grow every year for nearly 40 years.
Perkins has continued to change with the times without sacrificing its standards in delivering value and professionalism. Perkins’ statistics of employee loyalty are amazing in these times of fast turnover.
Larry and Gary Perkins and Mr. Crawford emphasize the integrity and ethics that the company has instilled in all of its employees, from the truck drivers to the sales force and customer service representatives. Both Larry and Gary Perkins as well as Mr. Crawford point to the professional sales force at Perkins and agree that the sale isn’t worth it if it isn’t done in a professional way.
The founders of Perkins, Louis Perkins and his cousin Sam Franklin, started the company in 1915. At that time, the Franklin & Perkins Co. sold twine and plain paper to retail merchants and remained primarily a paper products distribution company until 1973.
Gary and Larry Perkins are the third generation of the Perkins family to run the day- to-day business operation. They lead a group of more than 600 employees. According to Larry and Gary, much of the company’s success over the years can be directly attributed to Mr. Crawford’s vision and leadership.
