Verplank Family Holding Company – A History

The history of the Verplank Family Holding Company is a testament to resilience, adaptation, and strategic growth. It began in 1908 when Tony Verplank entered the ice business, harvesting ice from Spring Lake and storing it in insulated buildings for summer sales. Seeking to stabilize revenue, he added coal to the business in 1910. By 1927, Spring Lake Ice Company was the sole surviving ice business in town.

That year, Tony brought three of his sons—Sherm, Russell, and Vernon—into the business, each holding a 25% share. In 1930, after an unusually warm winter disrupted the natural ice supply, they built an artificial icehouse and purchased waterfront property on the Grand River to establish a coal dock. By 1937, Vernon assumed management, guiding the company through World War II as electric refrigeration emerged as a competitor to the ice trade.

In 1948, the company rebranded as Spring Lake Ice & Coal to reflect its growing coal distribution and dock operations. Following Tony’s passing in 1951, his stake was inherited by Raymond, Tony’s fourth son. By 1953, refrigeration had replaced the ice trade, prompting the company to close that division. Over the next decade, it transitioned from coal to aggregates, leasing dock space to an asphalt plant in 1958, which introduced limestone to operations.

L.J. “Midge” Verplank joined in 1959, marking the third generation of leadership. Under his guidance, the company shifted its focus to aggregates, ensuring continued growth. By 1961, the coal business was closed, and Midge and Vernon bought out Sherm and Russell’s shares. Expansion continued in 1963 with a Muskegon dock opening, prompting a name change to Verplank Coal & Dock. The company moved to Ferrysburg in 1966, and in 1968, Midge’s younger brother, Gary Verplank, joined the management team. By 1972, the brothers had acquired all outstanding shares and purchased a dock in Holland, positioning the company as a major dock operator in West Michigan.

In 1974, brothers Midge and Gary, along with four other partners, founded Shape Corp. in a vacant building behind the Ferrysburg trucking garage. Shape Corp. initially focused on steel roll forming complex components for the office furniture industry and would go on to expand its capabilities and market presence over the ensuing decades, while launching several sister-company spinoffs—all based in the Tri-Cities region. Today, Shape Corp. is a Grand Haven–based global Tier 1 automotive supplier and is actively managed by Gary’s two sons, Tony and Kyle Verplank, who also continue to serve on the Board of Directors of the Verplank Family Holding Company.

In 1983, Verplank Trucking Co. was formed as a spin-off of the company’s trucking operations, further strengthening its logistics capabilities and ensuring dedicated transportation for its growing aggregate and paving customer base. In 1992, the company expanded by acquiring Asphalt Paving Inc., an asphalt company serving the greater Muskegon area’s paving needs. The 1990s saw significant expansion in Muskegon, with the establishment of owned docks at Cobb, Salt, and Lakeside, as well as a leased facility at Mart Dock, significantly bolstering logistical capabilities.

In 1999, Verplank Family Holding Company was established as the umbrella organization for Verplank Dock Co., Verplank Trucking Co., and Asphalt Paving Inc., marking a cohesive structure for ongoing growth. Leadership transitioned to Midge and Gary’s children, while both remained integral through their roles on the Board of Directors. Strategic acquisitions—including a joint venture with Sand Products, the acquisition of additional waterfront property on Muskegon Lake, and the purchase of the Murphy Oil Terminal in Ferrysburg—further solidified the company’s industry standing.

The 2010s marked a period of modernization, including software upgrades, trucking expansion, and key aggregate supply agreements. A milestone came in 2015, when the company successfully loaded a full-sized self-unloading vessel, the M/V Manitowoc, with 17,000 tons of bottom ash. By 2017, the fleet had grown to thirty-seven trucks, and a new headquarters was constructed in Ferrysburg, featuring exceptional service capabilities and an automated heavy truck wash.

In 2019, the company transitioned to its fourth generation, when Ron Matthews became CEO and Chairman of the Board, ushering in a new era of leadership and strategic direction. Under his guidance, the company continued its expansion over the next several years, with forty drivers on the road and preparations for a new deep-water aggregate dock in Muskegon. The establishment of a new Board of Directors further reinforced the company's commitment to long-term growth, overseeing major investments including the purchase of a new Astec asphalt plant, the construction of a dedicated truck parking facility, and the formal opening of the Verplank Port Facility.

In 2022, a historic milestone was reached when the Verplank Port Facility received its first 1,000-foot vessel, the American Integrity, delivering construction aggregate. The company also faced challenges, including record-high fuel prices, but continued expanding, with employment reaching 117. The passing of Midge Verplank in December 2022 marked the end of an era, as he played an immense role in shaping the company’s success. His visionary leadership and unwavering commitment helped steer the business through significant transitions—from its early days in the coal industry to becoming a major force in aggregates, trucking, and paving. Midge’s ability to identify growth opportunities, build strategic partnerships, and modernize operations ensured the company's long-term prosperity. His dedication to innovation and excellence laid the foundation for future generations to build upon, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire the company’s leadership and workforce.

As the company entered 2023, Asphalt Paving Inc. celebrated its first full year of production at the Getty Street location with the new Astec plant. The trucking division expanded to fifty drivers, and the Verplank Port Facility received additional large-scale shipments. With inbound tonnage in excess of three million tons across all docks, the company remained a dominant force in the industry.

Through strategic planning and adaptability, the Verplank Family Holding Company has grown into a leader in the aggregates, trucking, and paving industries, with a solid foundation for future expansion.