Today we’d like to introduce you to Blythe Lang.
Hi Blythe, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up in the Twin Cities and then headed east for college to study business. After graduation, I took a job in San Francisco at an art auction house. I love contemporary art but was perhaps even more fascinated by the raw business of pricing. From there I went on to Williams-Sonoma corporate and worked on the launch of Pottery Barn Kids and other concepts. Being in San Francisco in the late 90’s, I tried my hand in the dot-com world. I worked at a small, scrappy, female led startup that is now known as theKnot.com, a wedding website. I helped develop relationship marketing with brides-to-be, building community and sales. In 2003, I took some time off from my desk job to be home with my kiddos. But I kept my head in the business game by flipping houses in San Francisco. The catalyst was affording a home in a very competitive real estate market, but in hindsight, it really taught me a lot about business and the bottom line which prepared me for what I am doing today at Rigid Hitch Inc. For most of my adult life, I sat on the board of directors at Rigid Hitch as it is a family business. It always interested me, but it was hard to get too involved from so far away. But like many, I started to rethink things during the pandemic. With my kids away at college, it felt like it was the right time to make a change, so I moved back to Minnesota after more than 30 years away to learn about trailer hitches!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In my experience, things are rarely a smooth road! One of the most amazing things about Rigid Hitch, Inc is that more than 50% of our employees have been here for over 10 years and 35% have been here for over 20 years! But as the new kid on the block from California, breaking into this tight-knit community is not without its challenges. I’m trying to learn as much as I can, respect the team and add value when possible.
The company has also had its challenges. When the company started in 1957 the company was a wholesale business selling to local dealers and installers. Well, a lot has changed in 70 years: now retail is 50% of our business and growing. The pivot from wholesale to retail has presented a new set of opportunities and challenges for the company.
The pandemic played an interesting role in our business. People weren’t flying, they were driving, camping and recreating. Introducing a whole new generation to the towing industry. Additionally, a large part of the population who were uncomfortable with online shopping were forced to change their buying habits.
As you know, we’re big fans of Rigid Hitch Inc.. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Our company opened for business in 1957 as a manufacturer of hitches and has grown to become an ISO 9001:2015 certified company. Rigid Hitch is a family-owned manufacturer and warehouse distributor of trailer hitches, towing accessories, trailer parts, and truck accessories. We supply products to many businesses throughout the country including auto parts stores, hitch installation & welding shops, auto dealers, rental stores, and directly to consumers.
There is so much to be proud of with this company starting with our amazing team. As I mentioned, 50% of our employees have been here for over 10 years and 35% have been here for more than 20 years. It really does feel like family.
Rigid Hitch has always been about quality over quantity. We have kept our manufacturing right here in Burnsville while most of our competitors have moved abroad. We buy American steel because it is the best out there. We are so proud to be made in America and specifically Minnesota.
In addition to our fantastic Rigid Hitch product, we are constantly adding new products from industry partners to keep up with all our customers’ towing needs. A lot of our products are car make and model specific and we have a highly trained customer service department to guide you through the purchase process, which can be a bit technical. Our warehouse team is an absolute powerhouse: they get all orders placed before 3 pm packaged up and shipped the same day.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We are always seeking to grow our Dealer network. You can join us by clicking on become a dealer at www.rigidhitch.com or call us at 1-800-624-7630. As a family-owned business we work hard to compete with Amazon, and other online retail giants, by offering competitive pricing and first-class customer service. We offer same-day local delivery and special pricing that is critical to our dealer network.
Our welding department is a highly skilled team including three generations of one family! They are nimble enough to do custom work for larger orders. We recently did a job for a large construction company. They needed a unique hitch for their specialized fleet of trucks that they couldn’t find anywhere else in the country, and Rigid Hitch came through with the right solution. So, whether you are a large worldwide agricultural manufacturer or a small mom-and-pop startup, our dedicated and experienced staff of customer service specialists stand ready to support all your towing needs at www.rigidhitch.com,
Pricing:
- VOYAGE15 Coupon Code for 15% off first order.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rigidhitch.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rigidhitchinc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rigidhitchinc
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rigidhitch/
