The Bird Kultgen Brand Story: Part 2

by Claire Kultgen

Our story continues now with the second installment of a three-part blog series depicting the history of Bird Kultgen Ford. As you may recall, Jack Kultgen opened the dealership with Arthur Bird in 1936. Jack’s sons, Jack Jr. and David Kultgen, charted their own professional paths, however, Jack’s grandson Peter Kultgen was drawn back into the life of cars.

“I got into the business when I was fourteen years old,” said Peter Kultgen. “I was in junior high, had learned how to drive, and was not well behaved that first summer so my parents and grandparents put me to work to keep me out of trouble,” he said, with a smile. The long-term results of that plan have been in motion ever since. Other than his time spent enrolled in college, Peter has played a continual part at the dealership.

In 1987, Peter became the president of the dealership. He preserved the core operational values introduced by his grandfather years before, and he continued to run the dealership with integrity, loyalty to employees, and a dedication to serving the community.

“Our family has always been of the belief that you give back to your community, because it’s the community that enables you to have something to give back,” said Peter.

As a result of this belief, the Kultgen family and the dealership have been very involved in civic, community, and charitable activities. Peter has steadfastly emphasized the importance of recognition of his employees. Many of the employees of Bird Kultgen have been working at the dealership for 30, 35, and even 40 years!  Several employees started right after they graduated high school, or returned from military service, and have been there ever since. Peter is not only grateful for his faithful employees, but also for the positive effect that they have on Bird Kultgen’s customers.

“The fact that we treat our employees as extended family transcends through their attitudes toward customers, and they tend to treat our customers as extended family. We are all in this thing together.”

Peter also says that the key to interacting with customers is quite simply being friendly because, “In reality, you do business with friends.”  The Kultgens are grateful for those who have become part of the “extended family”—those customers who have visited the dealership for generations, bringing their families and friends with them. And really, they appreciate every customer, new or long-standing, as the dealership wouldn’t be in business without them!

We appreciate you taking some time to learn more about our history. It’s important for you to know that our goal at Bird Kultgen is to better serve you- our customer. Stay tuned for the final installment of this blog series coming next month. In the meantime, feel free to look at our website, or give us a call to learn more about how we can help you with your next vehicle purchase or service.

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