Six Generations Strong: How Pioneer Music Has Evolved Through Nearly 150 Years

Alec Haight, of Pioneer Music Company, joins Smart Companies Thinking Bigger host Kelly Scanlon to discuss what it takes to navigate a company through six generations of leadership.

As the company approaches its 150th anniversary, Haight discusses how the company has evolved to stay relevant and shares the importance of creating a strong company culture.

Today Pioneer Music Company is a custom integration distributor that targets businesses that specialize in residential and commercial audio/video installation, surveillance, automation and networking.

The company got its start in 1869 as a retailer operating under the name Pioneer Hardware and Implement Store. By the 1970s, the company had evolved into a wholesale distributor located in Chanute, Kansas, and took its current name Pioneer Music Company. Over the next 40 years, the company distributed various consumer electronics products throughout the Midwest.

In 2005, PMC realigned its focus on custom integration distribution, which is the company's current business model. Recognizing the opportunity for this business model in Kansas City, the comapny moved its distribution headquarters to Lenexa, Kansas, and committed to becoming a “one-stop-shop” distributor.

Tune in to learn how Alec and his father—the fifth and sixth generations—are expanding the “one-stop-shop” business model to other markets and expanding the company's footprint.