Moving the Business Forward as a Family
Superior’s President and Chief Operating Officer Kevin Traut explained how his father, Robert “Bob” Traut, saw an opportunity in 1995 to go to California, purchase a niche business, and realize his dream of starting a family company. His father knew the premise of the check printing company’s roots was in delivering great client service. If he continued to supply this level of service, he knew he could make a future out of it.
Born out of the Great Depression in 1931, Superior, located in Los Angeles, CA, has been in business for 30 years. “Superior has continued to evolve and change,” he continued, “moving from a check printing group to treasury products to now technical services, such as scanner fulfillment and operating technical service help desks on behalf of banks for their business clients.”
Continuing the family legacy, all four Traut brothers work at Superior. Each son holds a leadership role and remains active in daily operations of the organization.
Chief Financial Officer Jason Traut credits his father for developing his solid work ethic. “One of the principles my dad instilled was that you don’t just start at the family business,” he continues with, “you must go out into the real world and experience what it’s like first. It was very wise of him to do so. Not only do you then have an appreciation for the business world, but also, you’ve got to climb that ladder or learn things the hard way.”
Born out of the Great Depression in 1931, Superior, located in Los Angeles, CA, has been in business for 30 years. “Superior has continued to evolve and change,” he continued, “moving from a check printing group to treasury products to now technical services, such as scanner fulfillment and operating technical service help desks on behalf of banks for their business clients.”
Continuing the family legacy, all four Traut brothers work at Superior. Each son holds a leadership role and remains active in daily operations of the organization.
Chief Financial Officer Jason Traut credits his father for developing his solid work ethic. “One of the principles my dad instilled was that you don’t just start at the family business,” he continues with, “you must go out into the real world and experience what it’s like first. It was very wise of him to do so. Not only do you then have an appreciation for the business world, but also, you’ve got to climb that ladder or learn things the hard way.”
“If you do it really well (your product or service) and you delight your clients with great customer service, they’re going to want to come back,” says Steve Traut, Senior Vice President of Sales at Superior and another Traut brother. He continues with, “That’s just been the nucleus of the company.”
Jason explains, “How fast can you get those opportunities and convert them is almost like a whack-a-mole, so much is happening, which is exciting. It’s exhilarating and that’s part of the pursuit and desire of running a business.”
There’s an extensive list of tenured employees at Superior. “It is a family here,” said Jason. “My dad has always said that’s one of the greatest joys of running this company because it’s not just for our family but for our Superior family as well.”
Jason explains, “How fast can you get those opportunities and convert them is almost like a whack-a-mole, so much is happening, which is exciting. It’s exhilarating and that’s part of the pursuit and desire of running a business.”
There’s an extensive list of tenured employees at Superior. “It is a family here,” said Jason. “My dad has always said that’s one of the greatest joys of running this company because it’s not just for our family but for our Superior family as well.”
First Bank Makes It Easy
“We thought there was a need and opportunity to expand on the East coast,” explained Jason. “We went to the bank to ask if they could support us in financing a new building. First Bank, Brett (Tijanich), and his team, they made it easy.”
Brett Tijanich, Managing Director with First Bank, said, “I think trust in our relationship developed from the onset with Superior, because they asked for certain milestones early on in the relationship and we were able to deliver on those.”
Brett added that their ability to interact with us and understand what we need from them to help them succeed is second to none. “I have a lot of admiration for the gentlemen that Bob has entrusted with his company, his four sons, because I don’t see that every day. Obviously, they’re related by blood, but they bring in their employees to the family.”
Jason added, “We’re not just dollars and cents to them, there’s a sense of wellbeing that makes them want to help a company, help a family out to build a company bigger. It’s no different than their own family business and how First Bank has grown.”
“The rewarding part is we get to see each other every day and stay part of each other’s lives,” Steve commented.
“Family is just knowing,” added Kevin, “that we’re in this together.”
Learn more about Superior Treasury Solutions Experts.
Brett Tijanich, Managing Director with First Bank, said, “I think trust in our relationship developed from the onset with Superior, because they asked for certain milestones early on in the relationship and we were able to deliver on those.”
Brett added that their ability to interact with us and understand what we need from them to help them succeed is second to none. “I have a lot of admiration for the gentlemen that Bob has entrusted with his company, his four sons, because I don’t see that every day. Obviously, they’re related by blood, but they bring in their employees to the family.”
Jason added, “We’re not just dollars and cents to them, there’s a sense of wellbeing that makes them want to help a company, help a family out to build a company bigger. It’s no different than their own family business and how First Bank has grown.”
“The rewarding part is we get to see each other every day and stay part of each other’s lives,” Steve commented.
“Family is just knowing,” added Kevin, “that we’re in this together.”
Learn more about Superior Treasury Solutions Experts.