A family run business since 1910

Originally from "Utah Valley Magazine"
By Briana Hallstrom; Photo by Matt Bennett

When it comes to Lehi Roller Mills, success is definitely relative. Just take a roll through the state. Only 30 percent of family owned businesses in the United States survive past the second generation, Lehi Roller Mills is on its third.

Over the last 60 years, more than 3,800 flour mills have closed their doors. In 2006, Lehi Roller Mills celebrated its 100th anniversary.

The Lehi Landmark is obviously -- and ironically-- not a run-of-the-mill operation.
Despite a century of change in the business world and the floor industry, Lehi Roller Mills has made the tradition of tradition. The founding principles of quality and integrity are still milling about, and owner Sherman Robinson personally selects each bushel of wheat, just the way his father and grandfather did.

For this family company, history is very much a part of the future.

The roll of three lifetimes

Lehi Roller Mills milled its first flour in 1906, but the Robinsons flour power was planted long before they came to Utah. In fact, the family has had milling operations in America for more than 200 years, and the tradition has only grown stronger which each generation.

George G. Robinson chose Utah for his Milling future because he "liked it here," and the family's been rolling along ever since.George's son, Sherman D. Robinson, eventually took over for his dad, and now Sherman's son, Sherm, owns and operates it.

Fortunately, those transitions of ownership have been scamless.

“I was always here with my dad, and there isn't any job I haven't done," Sherm says. “I graduated BYU with a master’s degree, and I had opions, but I always gravitated towards this."

That gravitation has tuned into both a responsibility and a privilege, and Sherm has worked hard to combat the changing flour industry with fresh strategies.

"There's a lot of notoriety that comes from being a 100-year-old company," Sherm says

"But there's a pressure there too. You don’t want to have the ship sink on your watch, so it's easy for me to feel more responsibility than I probably should."

Like grandfather, like father , like son.

The next generation

Lehi Roller Mills may eventually add a "like daughter" to the mix.

"There is some interest in my kids taking it over, but they're free to do whatever they want," Sherm says. "My son's the youngest (at 18), but I've also got four capable girls."

Whichever may the company rolls, each of the kinds-- like their father--grew up with the mill. They all started as "office janitors," and they've since brought individual skill sets to the table.

"If you are going to be in business as a family you've got to understand people's abilities and let them work in an area where they can have an impact," Sherm says. "My dad was great that way--he let me gravitate to where I had talent."

The kids appreciate that freedom in their careers, and they also enjoy taking business cues from their boss.

"In the business field, you see things aren't favorable." says daughter Katie. "Dad hasshown me integrity is always at the core of what we do."

At the core of Lehi Roller Mills are the Robinsons, and as with most family businesses, it's difficult to separate work from home. For example, Katie's birthday wish of a "work-talk-free evening" has fallen by the wayside, and daughter Ellen says it's often hard to distinguish between her dad and the boss.

"Your dad expects more of you than he would from other employees," she says.

A picture of the mill hangs over the family fireplace, and Sherm says it's indicative of that hand-in-glove-partnership that fits the Robinson perfectly.

"I've been blessed that our relationships have not turned into ones of competition or entitlement," he says. "The mill has given a common goal and taught us how to work together."

Extended family

It may be hard for the Robinsons to separate work and family--- but they aren't the only ones. The mill's employees and community alike have have staked their claim on the historic company.

For the mill workers, there's been an emphasis on team spirit. "Can do" posters line the walls of the office, and Sherm has make a point to have every employee feel as family.

“We have the mindset that it's not your work, my work, his work or her work. There is just work that needs to be done," he says.

As for the community, he company's 100th celebration had quite the impact.

“Five thousand people attended the celebration , and heir were many stories of how the mill has played an important role in people's lives," Sherm says, " I had not fully appreciated it until that day."

What Sherm has always appreciated is diligence and tradition. His favorite Philosophy is, "The harder you work, he luckier you get."

And so luck would probably have it. Lehi Roller Mills has 100 years down and another 100 to go.