Another local company is joining the ranks of the billion dollar club.
They started with eight people and just as many products 26 years ago, but Tuesday Melaleuca reached a milestone few companies ever attain, $1 billion in sales for the year. To mark the occasion, the company held a get together with employees and local leaders, and a simulcast online around the world. Idaho Falls Mayor Jared Fuhriman says he is thankful for Melaleuca's impact on the area.
“We say thank you for being a great corporate citizen and community member by creating thousands of jobs not only here in the community but through the entire world,” said Fuhriman.
Since the company began they have generated close to $11 billion in total sales and Governor Otter says he hopes this will serve as a message to other companies about Idaho’s business climate.
“In 26 years they're at a billion dollars (in this year's sales), that's going to tell a lot of companies with hopes and dreams about their future that Idaho is the place to be,” Otter said.
And for CEO Frank VanderSloot, it's a goal he always hoped to reach.
“In the beginning when we were nothing and there was nothing to believe in, people still believed in us,” said VanderSloot, “and now we have something to show for that and to show that their belief was not unwarranted.”
And now with their over 3,000 employees and almost 300,000 independent sales associates VanderSloot thinks the future is even brighter for this east Idaho company.
“Time will tell, I don't have a crystal ball but we know this is just the beginning,” VanderSloot said.
The company says most of their revenue comes from its operations in the US and Canada but 40% comes from the 13 international countries they operate in.
If you would like to watch a rebroadcast of Melaleuca's celebration you can click
here.
