Business Spotlight: Ozark Store Fixtures

That’s because their family-owned and -operated company – Ozark Store Fixtures – deals in store fixtures such as shelving, mannequins, display racks and snack bar equipment.

“We sell new and quality used store fixtures,” Ron Miller said. “(We have) all types of store supplies; anything it takes to open any kind of store.”

Whether the customer is a retail-clothing store, a cheese shop, restaurant or a bait store, Miller carries new and used fixtures to fill much of the needs of such diverse businesses. New and used store fixtures stocked by Ozark Store Fixtures include: slatwall, gridwall and gondola shelving; display cases; wood displays; garment racks; mannequins; snack bar equipment; and popcorn, coffee and cappuccino machines.

The company also supplies custom-built store fixtures.

The gondolas are a new stock item for Miller’s business. “We’re starting to stock major store fixtures, which are steel shelving gondolas like you see in Wal-Mart,” Miller said.

Miller obtains much of the used store fixtures from places like Wal-Mart, Sears and Dillard’s.

“We buy a lot when there are closeouts of chains or of small businesses,” Miller said.

That constant inflow of merchandise is reflected on the company’s nearly 4-year-old Web site.

“Our inventory is constantly evolving, so it’s nearly impossible to keep all our stock up on the net,” Miller said, adding that the company is in the process of making the Web site more user-friendly.

Offering new and used fixtures give customers a broader range of prices to choose from. “On used items, businesses can save 75 percent of the new cost. Most small businesses are very cost-minded. They’ve got to be to survive in this day and age,” Miller said.

Miller’s industry is a competitive one, and one way he tries to stay ahead is to keep tabs on what’s happening in the industry. He recently returned from a trade show in Las Vegas. “I try to keep up on what’s new in the market today, what sells and what doesn’t, and how to give customers new ideas,” Miller said.

“The customer always thinks they’re right. Hopefully, when they leave here they still think they’re right, but you’ve got your way,” Miller added, speaking of guiding the customer to the best product for their business concern.

As far as his business goes, Miller is proudest of “taking something that was nothing and growing it into a thriving business.”

Although located in Buffalo, population 2,781, Ozark Store Fixtures has a wide-ranging customer base. Miller credits the Web site as being useful in helping to expand the range of customers he is reaching.

“We’ve sold to stores in 40 to 45 states and shipped items to four foreign countries,” Miller said.

Miller said he is trying to get the word out more in the southwest and central Missouri regions.

Among his clients, Miller includes Wal-Mart and Dollar Stores, and Radiant Book & Music.

Miller declined to disclose last year’s revenues, but said the company’s sales were up 124 percent in the first three month of this year compared to last year.

While Miller is open to the idea of expanding to other locations, he is not in any hurry to do so.

“Growth is a great thing but it creates many problems, such as with employees. The more employees you get, the more problems. The more growth you have, the more inventory you have to have,” Miller said. “It was a lot simpler when we were smaller.”

Two of the Millers’ five children work in the business: Scott Miller is the general manager and Susan Keith does the accounting. Including the Millers, there are six employees.

Miller said he gets satisfaction from his work.

“People come in with the idea of opening a business for themselves. It’s good to be able to help them and lead them into the right direction. Hopefully they do succeed. We deal with a lot of people who all they’ve got is a dream,” Miller said.

Miller is happy that he can help people with their dreams. He explained, “Big companies dream of being bigger and small ones dream of just opening.”

He likes to make customers feel important. “I don’t want customers to feel like just another number. We try to give them a simple ‘Thank you,’ and remember their first names.

“I’ve always been a working individual and know what it’s like to work your way up. Everybody likes respect.”

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