Carroll, Iowa
March 20, 2008
 Renze
Hybrids, Inc., a family owned, independent seed company
located near Carroll, Iowa, has hired Craig Williams to serve as
operations manager. In this newly created role, Williams will
assume many of the day-to-day responsibilities handled by
Renze’s patriarch, Cyril Renze, who is moving into a very active
semi-retirement at the youthful age of 81.
“The Renzes needed somebody to fill the hole created by Cyril’s
decision to scale back,” Williams noted. “I am quite confident I
can fill the hole but not fill Cyril’s shoes. I can take some of
the responsibilities off his hands and am honored to do so.”
Tim Renze, general manager of the company, said they were
looking for someone with knowledge of their trade territory, the
seed industry, strong skills in technology, and a shared
commitment to serving their customers well. “Craig brings all of
the assets we were looking for to Renze Hybrids,” Renze stated.
“As Dad retires, we will continue our tradition of offering the
seed our customers need and want. Looking forward, we plan to
grow our sales dramatically and Craig will be an important part
of that growth.”
Williams comes to Renze Hybrids with a broad range of experience
in the seed industry. He was most recently director of Midwest
operations/general manager for Lawhon Midwest, LLC where he ran
the day-to-day operations of Stauffer Seeds. Under his direction
the company grew corn sales 63 percent in three years and a
successful soybean product line was introduced. He has also
worked for Channel Bio (Midwest Seed Genetics) and Garst
previously.
“Renze Hybrids has a lot of the same belief structures I have as
far as taking care of their customers first and making sure the
quality of the product they put in the bag is second to none,”
Williams observed. “In fact, at Renzes, it goes a step further
because the family puts their name on every bag of seed they
sell. Their reputation, integrity, and success depend upon their
customers’ success.”
There’s no Mr. Monsanto, no Mr. Syngenta, no Mr. Golden Harvest,
Williams stated. There is a Mr. Renze. In fact there are three
Mr. Renzes involved in every aspect of the business. Now
Williams joins the family as part of the senior management team.
“I have enjoyed the involvement the Renzes have allowed me,”
Williams remarked. “They are extremely open and want my
perspective on the business. I appreciate their confidence and
look forward to helping tell the Renze story – one their
customers already know.”
Renze offers corn and soybean seed with all the technological
traits available from quad stacked corn to Vistive soybeans and
everything in between. Yet Williams says that doesn’t tell the
whole story. “Too many companies talk only about traits and not
genetics,” he explained. “Good traits on bad germplasm are not
what our customers need. You must have the right combination of
events occur for success. Renze is very devoted to having the
right traits on the right genetics. Then the sales staff and our
agronomist work with the customer to place this seed where it
will provide the greatest return on investment for the grower.”
As he settles into his new role at Renze Hybrids, Williams plans
to conduct a thorough analysis of what’s working and what’s not.
In doing so, he will look at all aspects of the business from
the perspective of his co-workers and Renze customers. “I hope
to accentuate all the positives at Renze Hybrids,” he said. “In
my first few weeks I see how sound this business is. It’s
extremely honestly and ethically managed. One of my highest
priorities is to spread the secret that is Renze seed.”
Tim Renze says their company is ready to tell their story. “We
will be working with Craig to make more people in the upper
Midwest aware of our products and our dedication to providing
excellent corn hybrids and soybean varieties to our customers
each year,” he observed. “My family plants these products as
well as our friends and neighbors. We won’t put anything in a
Renze bag we wouldn’t plant ourselves.”
In addition to his experience in the seed industry, Williams
also worked for The Thermos Company, Newell Companies, as well
as Arthur Anderson & Company. He is a graduate of Bradley
University with a degree in operations management and
information systems.
Williams and his family live on an acreage near Manning. He and
his wife, Cindy, have two children, Steven and Stephanie. In his
spare time Williams enjoys internet-based hobbies including
development of internet applications used globally as well as
being a news junkie and self-described computer geek. He also
enjoys antiques and collectibles. |
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