At Martin Companies, excellence has never been about being the biggest or getting the most recognition. It has always been about how we treat people - our customers, our coworkers, and our communities.
Excellence often shows up in simple, everyday moments. It’s how we speak to a customer who has a problem. It’s taking the time to do a job right, not just fast. It’s helping a teammate when things get busy. Excellence isn’t about being perfect. It’s about caring, paying attention, and doing what’s right even when no one is watching.
Serving others well means putting people first. It means listening before reacting and being patient instead of rushing. When we try to see things from another person’s point of view, our work becomes more meaningful. What we do each day can truly make someone’s life easier or less stressful.
I’m encouraged by the many stories I hear of team members going above and beyond - fixing problems, helping customers, and treating people with respect. Those moments show who we are as a company and what we stand for.
As we continue to grow, let’s never forget what makes us different. Excellence in serving others is a daily choice. When we choose it, we build trust, strengthen relationships, and make a real difference.
Thank you for the way you serve every day. Your work matters.
Looking Forward Let’s Catch Up!
WHAT’S NEW
BROWNSTOWN REMODEL
The team has been enjoying working out of the finished part of the remodel. Demolition, electrical work, insulation, and drywalling are currently in process in the final phase for the other half of the building. We are targeting for finishing in time for the Customer Appreciation Sale!
EXCITING NEWS FROM MARTIN WATER CONDITIONING!
We’re excited to announce the opening of our newest location in Geneva, NY. This new facility will serve as a dedicated sales and supply center, allowing us to deliver clean, high-quality water solutions to even more homes and businesses throughout the region.
We’re grateful for the opportunity to continue growing and serving our communities.
SUMMER PICNIC
Mark your calendar!
Saturday, July 25th
NEW TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
We’re excited to share that we’ve added a dedicated training room to our Brownstown warehouse! This new space gives our team the opportunity to practice installing and servicing a variety of systems in a hands-on environment. By investing in ongoing training, we’re ensuring our technicians stay sharp, confident, and equipped to deliver the highest level of service to our customers.
ANNUAL EMPLOYEE BANQUET
We made it just in time before the snow hit! Our annual employee banquet brought together a fantastic turnout, plenty of laughs… and a few missing fried shrimp along the way.
A big thank you to Dwyane Martin for kicking things off, Doug Ramer for his inspiring keynote, Dustin Martin for the Kahoot fun and Tony Henhley for keeping everyone laughing all night.
A huge thanks to our Events Committee for putting everything together, as pictured below! Nights like this remind us why our team is so special—hardworking, fun, and full of great people. We couldn’t have asked for a better evening to celebrate all of you!
A Cozy Spot by the Covered Bridge
When Jerry Shenk from our IT department isn’t keeping our systems running smoothly, he and his wife are welcoming guests to Pinetown Bridge Bed & Breakfast, their charming riverside retreat tucked beside the historic Pinetown Covered Bridge in Lancaster County.
From the moment you arrive, the pace slows: mornings start with homemade breakfasts, sunlight glints off the river, and the quiet charm of the countryside makes it easy to forget the world for a little while. Every detail - from cozy rooms to peaceful river views - invites visitors to relax, recharge, and enjoy a slice of Lancaster County’s beauty.
MUSIC WITH IRONWOOD DRIVE
Brandon Fox helps create a great customer experience at our Brownstown location, but outside of work you might find him on stage sharing his love of bluegrass music as a member of the local band Ironwood Drive.
Since 2015, the band has performed at churches and festivals across the region, bringing the rich tradition of bluegrass to audiences throughout the East Coast.
Along the way, Ironwood Drive has competed in several competitions and even had the opportunity to perform alongside well-known acts such as Dailey & Vincent and Dan Tyminski.
The band is passionate about preserving the bluegrass tradition while introducing a younger generation to the music they love.
Ironwood Drive’s third studio album will be released later this spring through Mountain Fever Records.
Catch Ironwood Drive Live:
April 11 - Bowmansville Fire Company Fundraiser
July 5 - Music in the Park at Coleman Park
Gerald Weaver’s Handcrafted Pens
Gerald has always enjoyed working with his hands, and in 2020 that passion grew into a truly meaningful hobby—handcrafting one-of-a-kind pens.
The turning point came through Gerald’s son, who was on a service call at a customer’s home when the homeowner was clearing out his late father’s belongings. In the garage sat a full set of woodworking machinery. Rather than seeing it discarded, the customer offered it to Gerald’s son, asking only that it be moved out of the way. That equipment soon found a new home with Gerald - and sparked something special.
Today, Gerald creates pens from a wide variety of materials, including exotic woods like zebrawood, olive wood, and lilac bush, along with acrylics and even deer antlers. Each piece has its own personality and story. He’s made bullet pens for hunters, gear-shifter pens for car enthusiasts, and even a medical-themed pen inspired by his own heart attack last year. One particularly meaningful project was crafted from wood taken from someone’s family cabin, turning memories into something lasting.
With help from his kids, Gerald now has a workshop at home where he continues to bring these pens to life. To Gerald, this craft is about more than woodworking - it’s about creating something personal. As he puts it, his pens are “the perfect gift for someone who says they already have everything.”
If you’re interested in a custom pen or want to learn more, feel free to reach out to Gerald.
INGREDIENTS
4 cups chicken stock
1 lb. sausage (I prefer zesty/hot)
1/4 lb. bacon
1 cup heavy whipping cream
½ medium sweet onion (or 1 small)
¼ lb. kale, chopped (small bunch)
1 lb. baby potatoes, halved or quartered
1 cup water
1 teaspoon salt (start with less and adjust if sensitive)
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 to 2 teaspoons minced garlic
Add crushed red pepper to taste for a spicier version
Zuppa Toscana
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Cook bacon and brown sausage: In a large pot over medium heat, cook chopped bacon. Brown sausage. Drain excess fat if needed.
2. Sauté aromatics: Add diced onion and minced garlic. Cook 3 to 5 minutes until softened.
3. Add potatoes & liquids: Add potatoes, chicken stock, and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil.
4. Season & simmer: Add 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Boil 12 to 15 minutes until potatoes are tender.
5. Add kale: Stir in kale and simmer about 5 minutes.
6. Finish: Reduce heat and stir in heavy cream and reserved bacon. Warm gently–do not boil.
7. Taste & adjust: Adjust seasoning and serve. Add your pepper flakes.
Mike Burkholder Recipe by Submit your recipe!
KIDS’ CORNER
SPRING
family activities
• Fly a Kite
• Take a Bike Ride
• Play in the Rain
• Go on a Picnic
• Make Fresh Lemonade
• Plant a Garden/ Flowers
• Pick Wildflowers
• Enjoy the Cherry Blossoms
• Go for a Hike
• Paint Rocks
• Go to the Park
• Visit a Farm to See the Baby Animals
SPRING
BIBLE CHALLENGE
“For as the __________ makes the _________ come up and a __________ causes __________ to grow, so the Sovereign __________ will make __________ and __________ spring up before all __________.” - Isaiah 61:11 (NIV)
REFLECTION TIME
Just like a gardener takes care of flowers, how does God take care of us to help us grow?
The verse says this happens before “all nations.” Why is it important that people all over the world know about God’s love and kindness?
God causes good things to grow in our hearts just like a garden grows plants.
KEDRIC SENSENIG EmployeeSpotlight
Kedric Sensenig has been part of the Martin team for just over four years. He began in the Myerstown warehouse before transferring to the Brownstown Appliance Installation team in June 2024. Since then, he has continued to grow in his role - spending several months as a truck lead and recently partnering with Joel Weaver to expand his experience with premium product installations.
Kedric is a dependable team player with a strong “can-do” attitude. He consistently arrives early to prepare for the day and always works to provide customers with a positive experience. One personal touch that stands out is the whiteboard he keeps at his truck bay, where he shares notes and posts a new Bible verse each week. We’re grateful to have him on our team!
Willy Martin received a call from a water conditioning customer who explained that her existing system had likely become clogged, leaving her home without water. Unfortunately, there was no bypass installed on the current system.
Mark had previously visited the home, provided a quote, and scheduled a full Kinetico system installation for the following week. Given the urgent “no water” situation, she asked if there was any way the new Kinetico system could be installed that same day or the next.
Although the schedule was fully booked, we worked alongside EJ in the HVAC department to adjust Jeremiah Zimmerman’s schedule, allowing us to free up time to complete the full installation that very day.
The customer was extremely grateful, and we were proud to quickly resolve her no-water emergency by installing her new water system.
WHAT SMALL ACT OF KINDNESS CAN YOU DO TODAY TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT?
MEET OUR NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE!
Behind each edition of this newsletter is our Newsletter Committee! While you may already recognize some of the faces, we realized we’ve never formally introduced the team that helps bring these updates together. The committee works to gather news, highlights, and stories from across the company to help keep everyone informed and connected. If you have ideas, announcements, or feedback you’d like to share for future editions, please feel free to reach out to any of the committee members—we’d love to hear from you!
Autumn Aukamp
Amanda Horst Sydney Purcell Todd Martin Shana Beachy
