Bernard Lawrence - Houchens Industries

VOLUME 1
ISSUE 4
FALL 2006
HOUCHENS
Feature Article:
In This Issue:
COMMONWEALTH BRANDS:
Feature Article - An inside look at one
of the leaders in the tobacco industry.
WELCOME: Houchens Industries
welcomes two new companies to
our family!
HOMETOWN IGA: Read about the
latest additions to the IGA family!
HOUCHENS ESOP: Get a better
understanding of your future from
someone who’s living it!
Houchens Industries
Corporate Office
Located in Bowling Green,
Kentucky
oday
Commonwealth Brands, Inc. has over 700 employees, many of
whom have 15 plus years of experience in the cigarette industry.
Commonwealth Brands, Inc. is the fourth largest cigarette manufacturer in the United
States, manufacturing fi ve brands of high quality cigarettes that are sold at discount
prices. Their cigarettes are widely available in retail outlets in all 50 states, Puerto Rico
and on many U.S. military bases worldwide.
Their leading brand, USA Gold, has grown to be the eighth best selling brand in the
U.S. and the third best selling discount brand in the U.S. Complementing USA Gold is
Sonoma, which is the third best selling brand in the military and fi fteenth domestically.
Manufacturing Facility in
Reidsville, North Carolina
In September 2005, Commonwealth Brands became the exclusive distributor of Bali
Roll-Your-Own and McClintock Make-Your-Own products in the United States. Bali and
McClintock are manufactured by Peter Stokkebye Tobaksfabrik A/S in Denmark. The
expansion into this segment is a logical extension to complement their cigarette brands.
Commonwealth Brands, Inc. believes each employee
contributes directly to its growth and success.
Quote
of the season
Their manufacturing facility
in Reidsville, North Carolina
encompasses one million
square feet and uses some of
the most modern, state-of-theart
manufacturing and tobacco
processing equipment in the
cigarette industry.
When one door closes, another door opens; but we so often
look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do
not see the ones which open for us. - Alexander Graham Bell

Latest News
On August 1st, 2006, Van Meter Insurance Agency,
Inc. and Employers Risk Services, Inc., with offi ces in
Bowling Green, Owensboro and Lexington, Kentucky
and Nashville, Tennessee, became part of Houchens
Insurance Group, and thus a part of Houchens
Industries. Houchens Insurance Group, comprised of
Van Meter Insurance, Employers Risk Services, Inc.,
Center of Insurance, and Insurance Specialists now
make up one of the nations largest ESOP- owned
insurance agencies, representing over $250M in annual
gross sales. Houchens Insurance Group has over 130
employees and 6 offi ce locations throughout Kentucky
and Tennessee.
Houchens Insurance Group strenghthens
its position in the industry with Van Meter
Insurance and Employers Risk Services.
Getting to Know
Your Company
Houchens Industries Welcomes
Two New Companies
Lindsay Daniels
Houchens Industries is the title sponsor of Lindsay Daniels, an 18 year old
race car driver from Bowling Green, KY. Lindsay was recently selected as
one of the top 50 rookies in the country to be eligible for Racin’ for a Livin’,
a new reality series that gives one winner a chance to race on the NASCAR
Busch Series. With the support of Houchens Industries, TAB Energy Drink
and fans from across the state of Kentucky and Tennessee, Lindsay fi nished
second in a online vote that determined the fi nal 15 contestants. Details on
when the show will begin fi lming have not been released, but the show is
slated to air early next year.
Cecil Martin & Brian Sewell
Press Conference -August 1st, 2006
The formation of this group will position Houchens Insurance
Group as one of the primary Property and Casualty Agencies, as
well as Group Benefi ts Agencies in the region. Employers Risk
Services will serve as a major resource for Houchens Insurance
Group as a long-standing third party administrator, specializing in
Loss Control, Worker’s Compensation Claims Administration, and
Medical Case Management. The group’s synergies and expertise
will compliment one another, resulting in growth and penetration
that the separate companies could not have experienced alone.
Look for more
information about
Lindsay Daniels in
upcoming issues of
this newsletter.
Express Express

IGA Family welcomes four new locations
On June 29th, 2006, the Munfordville, KY Foodland became the fi rst of fi ve stores to be converted to the
Hometown IGA format this year, followed by the Houchens Markets in Hodgenville, KY, Hardinsburg, KY and Irvington,
KY. All four stores underwent the typical cosmetic changes; including fresh paint, new register systems and a colorful
new decor package.
While the face lift leaves the store unrecognizable from it’s past moniker; it’s the focus on time savings, item
value and a pleasant shopping experience that establishes Hometown IGA in the marketplace. New programs, such as
IGA Choice Angus Beef, IGA Top Pik and IGA Meals in Minutes, are implemented to add value as well.
Albany, KY is scheduled to undergo it’s transformation on November 15th.
Second Crossroads IGA opened in Bowling Green
In October of 2005, Houchens Food Group opened it’s second Crossroads IGA store in Bowling Green, KY. The
10,000 sq. ft. facility, previously operated as Jimmy Diemer’s Market, underwent a complete makeover with new roofi ng,
fl oors, register systems and an integrated fuel system. The entire building was cleaned, painted and a brand new decor
package was installed. It also boasts four fuel islands, capable of fueling eight vehicles.
The impact of the conversion on sales was felt immediately. Tracy Worley, district manager for the store, said
“When we bought the store, we were doing around $30,000 per week in inside sales and about 12,000 gallons of fuel.
We now have inside sales of $55,000 per week and pump around 30,000 gallons of fuel.” The store offers a great
atmosphere, with great customer service and a pleasant shopping experience.

What Your Retirement Can Do For You!
SOP
Bernard Lawrence
39 Years of Service
“It’s an overwhelmingly rewarding
program. It’s hard for an 18 or 19 year
old to think about retirement, but at some
point you have to. Houchens Industries
is laying the ground work for you and
your families’ future...free of charge.”
- Bernard Lawrence
Bernard Lawrence
- Enjoying the benefi ts of ESOP
Bernard Lawrence has come a long way from stocking shelves at
his uncle’s country store for a cone of ice cream. Today, he splits
his time between playing with his beautiful grand daughters,
working on muscle cars and working on his swing at Old Stone
Golf Course in Bowling Green, KY.
Bernard worked for Houchens Industries Food Division for 39
years, starting his career as a stock clerk at one of the Glasgow,
KY stores. Over the next few years, he worked his way up to
dairy manager, assistant manager, then store manger at the age
of twenty-three. In 1981, he was promoted to District Manager,
where he oversaw the operations of several stores until his
retirement in October of 2005.
Bernard credits Houchens Industries ESOP program for being
able to retire when he did, saying he “couldn’t have done it without
it. It’s an overwhelmingly rewarding program. It’s hard for an 18 or
19 year old to think about retirement, but at some point you have
to. Houchens Industries is laying the ground work for you and
your families’ future...free of charge.”
Great opportunities, working with people and being involved
in the community are just a few of things Bernard liked about
working at Houchens. When asked what advice he would give
other employees just starting out at Houchens, he said “Do your
job the best you can every day. Put yourself in a position to get a
better opportunity. We (Houchens Industries) have a great future
ahead of us. I don’t know why anyone wouldn’t want to work for
Houchens.”
Look for the Feature Article in your Winter issue: Stewart-Richey Construction
HOUCHENS INDUSTRIES
700 CHURCH STREET
BOWLING GREEN KY. 42101