Dealer Spotlight: Hausers Water Systems
It’s quite common to find water treatment dealerships that are family operations. Fathers and mothers often hand the business down to their sons and daughters.
However, Hausers Water Systems in Iowa stands out within the Clear Choice Water Group (CCWG). This dealership now has its fourth generation working in water treatment.
Ryan Hauser tells us that his great grandfather, Milt Hauser, started the family business out of his home in 1949. That’s more than a decade before Water-Right began!
Ryan’s grandfather, Charlie Hauser, bought the business in 1972, and current owner, Sean Hauser (Ryan’s father), purchased it from Charlie and took over in the late ’90s.
Today, Sean serves as president of Hausers Water Systems and his brother, Chad Hauser, is vice president.
“It’s kind of crazy what it’s grown to, even just what my dad himself has grown it from,” Ryan says.
Hausers Water Systems, a WaterCare dealer, has three locations in Iowa and a sizable staff of around a dozen full-time employees. Ryan focuses on leading the residential side of the business, which serves all of eastern and southern Iowa. His father and uncle are focused on the commercial, municipal, and industrial projects, which take place across the country.
Ryan says working closely with family certainly has its pros and cons, but the benefits outweigh the difficulties.
“Some days it’s challenging,” he admits. “But, it’s more rewarding than challenging. Every single member of my family, my mom and sister included, I see them every day. They’re always there.”
As we’ve also observed at Water-Right, when you run a family business, that sense of family extends to everyone who becomes part of the company.
Brett Marbach, Matt Marbach, and Ryan Hauser
“The people we have working with us have been with us forever. It’s not just immediate family. The whole company is really kind of a family,” Ryan explains. He points out that two of their sales and service reps, Brett and Matt Marbach, are actually first cousins to each other, which adds another family dynamic to the business.
Ryan and the Hauser family appreciate working with Water-Right and the CCWG because of the shared values that come with family-focused operations.
“That’s one of the best things with Water-Right and WaterCare,” Ryan says. “The Gruetts have been around forever, and they still have their hands in it. For us, they’re hands down the best people we’ve ever worked with.”
Hausers Water Systems facility in Manchester, Iowa
Keeping a business running and in the family for so many decades is no small feat. Hausers Water Systems has been successful because it has adapted to changes over the years. Ryan and his team understand that homeowners approach household water much differently than they did in the days of his grandfather and great grandfather.
“People are more ‘in the know’ about what’s actually in their water,” he says. “Some places we’ll go, people will have a ton of questions about things like lead or nitrates. It seems like they’re more concerned about taking care of those things for their own health and the health of their family.”
Besides health and safety, Ryan says Hausers Water System’s customers are also highly aware of efficiency and sustainability.
“Water conservation is huge, too. I think people are more cautious about where their water is going and how they can conserve it the best.”
Because of the fact that both homeowners as well as commercial customers are more knowledgeable than ever, Ryan knows its important that he and the people Hausers Water Systems employ also keep themselves educated.
That’s why he thinks the ongoing education provided to CCWG members through sales schools, Water-Right School, and other events are very valuable.
“You will always come away with something new that you learn from those schools, no matter how long you’ve been in the industry. We’re constantly learning new things,” Ryan says.
Ryan Hauser
At some point in the future, Ryan Hauser does expect to take over ownership from his father.
Ryan spent more than four years serving in the military as an infantryman in the U.S. Army, and he’s using G.I. bill benefits to earn a four-year degree in business management and marketing.
In the meantime, he’s already working on helping Hausers expand its reach.
“My plan is to keep tapping into new markets, especially on the residential side, getting it as big as we possibly can. It’s grown to what it is now, and there’s no reason it can’t continue to get bigger.”
As for a fifth generation of Hausers working in water treatment … that’s yet to be decided. Ryan has a girlfriend and a dog – but no kids. So, we’ll have to wait and see.
You can find out more about what Hausers Water Systems does when you check out the featured projects on their website. Plus, like their page on Facebook to keep in touch.