Clarkston and Waterford Chambers of Commerce held a ribbon cutting on June 16 to welcome Smith’s Disposal into their new home in Independence Township on White Lake Road.
‘It’s kind of nice to be back in Independence Township again,? said President Carol Evans, whose parents started the business out of their home on Northview Drive in the Township 27 years ago.
Evans said the main reason from moving from their previous facility in Springfield Township to their current one was due to parking. They upgraded from roughly 12,000 square-feet to around 17,500 square-feet building.
‘We were running out of parking space for the trucks and dumpsters. This was offered to us at a very good price, so it was something that was very hard to pass up,? she said. ‘If we outgrow this place, I guess it’s a good thing.?
General Manager Archie Munson agreed.
‘From a business sense it gives us the room, the capacity we need to be able to expand. It seems likes since we moved in this building we’re even more engrained in the community because people see us everyday driving through on White Lake Road. ‘It puts a public face to the company that we’ve never had before, other buildings we were hidden in that back corner.?
Evans said she will never forget the customers who packed out Clarkston Junior High last year to speak in favor of Smith’s and against a one-hauler system, which township officials from both Independence and Springfield were considering with multiple townships.
‘If it wasn’t for our customers and the Chambers of Commerce we’d probably be gone, that’s something I’ll never forget,? she said. ‘It’s nice to feel that kind of support for just a garbage company.?
Munson agreed.
‘Last year is last year and we’re ready to put that behind us and grow and be an even bigger part of the community, see what else we can get accomplished,? he said.
Smith’s also play a very active role in the community by sponsoring multiple events throughout the year. Evans says it’s the company’s way of giving back.
‘I’ve always done it, my dad’s always did it, and it’s always been the way we are,? she said. ‘It’s about the only way we can give back.?
Munson said the biggest message they always want to convey is ‘Thank You.?
‘We’re customer service driven industry so everything we do has got to begin and end with ‘thank you for being our customer,?? he said. ‘Thank you for allowing us to pick up your garbage and handle your recycling, keeping us around and giving us the opportunity.?