Long-time owner to retire
By Michael S. Hoey
Correspondent
Dousman Transport of Delavan is in the process of being sold to Landmark Student Transportation of Aurora, Ontario, Canada. The sale is expected to be final by the end of January.
“After 42 years with Dousman Transport, 26 as owner, I have made the difficult decision to retire,” majority owner Magda Dimmendaal wrote in a press release.
“The decision comes after much deliberation and many sleepless nights,” she said. “I cherish the memories and the relationships that were built during those years.”
Dimmendahl said in the press release that the past year has been difficult for her. She lost her husband to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, and her stepson unexpectedly.
“Events such as these –and, yes, my age – have caused me to look inside and ask myself some tough questions,” she said. “There are places I would like to visit and things I would like to do while I still can.”
Dimmendahl said ownership carries responsibilities to the school districts and communities Dousman Transport serves and company employees and she cannot, in good conscience, relinquish her responsibilities to others while she pursues other interests.
Dimmendahl said the company will retain the Dousman name – a name that has become synonymous with excellence in student transportation. She said she will remain with the company as a consultant, and the rest of the management team will stay on as well.
Landmark was chosen for the sale, according to Dimmendahl, because they are a family-based, strong organization that has many of the same operating principles as Dousman Transport.
“They will maintain the same high standards and level of professional pride that Dousman Transport employees have built together over the years,” she said. “Just like Dousman Transport, they value developing good relationships with their school partners, employees and local communities.”
Dimmendahl said she has known Landmark principle owners Barry and Brian Stock for more than 15 years and know them to have integrity and compassion with a strong commitment to the student transportation industry. She said the day-to-day operations and management at Dousman will remain the same with no fundamental changes to the quality of service.
“The local insight and expertise of our DTC team will be of great value as we are welcomed into the Landmark organization,” she said.
Bob Schulte, vice president of operations for Dousman Transport, said the company purchased Lenon Bus Service in 2007. Lenon had served the Delavan-Darien School District since 1968. Schulte said all the Lenon employees were kept on through the 2007 transition as Dousman’s will be now.
Kirk Flach, president of Landmark Student Transportation, said although Dousman and Landmark have been competitors over the years, owner Barry Stock developed a relationship with Dimmendahl. Landmark, based mostly in Canada, owns Stratton Buses, which serves Cuba City, Platteville and other school districts in southwestern Wisconsin.
Flach said about 80 percent of Landmark’s 1,000 routes are in Canada. He said the business has existed since 2011, but Barry and Brian Stock are second-generation transportation businessmen. Their father started the family business in the 1950s.
Flach said Landmark and Dousman share three key philosophies – they are people-oriented companies that provide positive work environments, are industry leaders in safety and are known for providing responsive customer service.
“We understand the unique needs of our customers, and we provide service that delivers on those needs,” Flach said.
Flach confirmed no staffing changes will be made at Dousman Transport.
“It is our philosophy to let the local management team run the business,” he said. “They are a high-quality operation and will keep that high-quality service.”
Flach also said Landmark hopes to be a resource with the benefits a larger company can provide to help Dousman continually improve.
“We are very proud we were chosen to continue the tradition of Dousman Transport,” Flach said. “We are very pleased to be part of it and look forward to being a part of the community.”
