Business Story- Binger Shipping Supplies

After the majority of his life, Tim Binger decided at 31 that he couldn’t take working for others any longer. So he quit his job, sold his Corvette for inventory and opened his own business.

In 1988, Binger opened Binger Shipping Supplies Inc., a packaging materials distributor in Battle Creek, Mich,. Binger Shipping Supplies is breaking sales records annually and is completely debt free, Binger said.
Many other businesses in Battle Creek have struggled to achieve the same level of success that Binger Shipping Supplies has because of the recent economic recession which has increased unemployment, stopped businesses from opening and lowered resident incomes, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

While Binger said the recession has hurt Battle Creek’s economy, his company has expanded throughout the economic downturn. Because it is a small business, the company has small expenses, high efficiency and is therefore more profitable than larger corporations, Binger said.

Though companies have struggled, locally owned businesses have a greater potential for success in Battle Creek than larger corporations, said Cheryl Beard, director of commercial development at Battle Creek Unlimited. This is because people in the Battle Creek community recognize small businesses as contributing directly to the local economy, she said.

“Battle Creek has a strong Midwestern tradition. We will never get the large retail chains back into the area because Battle Creek’s current demographic just doesn’t support those kinds of stores,” Beard said.

When he started his business, Binger said he had to remember to take baby steps and put a strong plan together which could survive Battle Creek’s economy. He said his success in business has ultimately come from making smart decisions about his money and not relying on outside sources.

“Business success all comes down to four things: have passion for whatever you’re doing, pick an industry that fits the area you are working in, don’t use credit when possible and take baby steps,” he said.

Because of its profitability, Binger said he plans on expanding his company in the future. Instead of expanding their building, Binger said he plans to buy delivery trucks, new products for customers and hiring new employees.

“Because we don’t depend on the bank we aren’t limited with what we can do with the company. The sky is the limit,” said Binger.