Since its beginning in 1957, Harbor Pacific has been a family business, stocking the local shelves and shops with ice cold Pepsi bottles. From a small bottling factory on State Street in Aberdeen to the current warehouse, Harbor Pacific has seen its share of growth through the years. Brothers, Tim and Shawn Martin, continue to grow the business begun by their father so many years ago.
The current offices and shipping area are full of Martin family members and other long time employees. Shawn can still recall running through the original factory as a child, “helping” load the trucks for deliveries. Products were limited back in the 1950’s and bottling was done on site. When you look through the giant warehouse stacked to the ceiling with seemingly limitless brands of beverages, the idea of the old handwritten paper receipts is a quaint thought.
Harbor Pacific now carries more than 60 products just on the Pepsi side of their business. Add in their new venture, Fiesta Food Services, and they now have a continually expanding product line.
With all of this growth, keeping up with technology is key for the company. No more handwritten paper receipts! President and General Manager, Tim Martin, says “innovation is huge.” He continually finds new ways to update the shipping and sales process in order to make a better experience for his customers. Nearly every bottle of any Pepsi product you find for sale in Grays Harbor comes through the Harbor Pacific Warehouse plus they also distribute Gatorade, Lipton Teas, Real Tree Energy Drinks, SoBe, Starbucks drinks and more. The use of technology is essential to the management of so many brands.
Today, the Martin’s rely on a team of about 50 employees who use all of the newest technology to track inventory, deliveries and trends. They take pride in their ability to employ so many local residents who are then able to contribute to the community by living and working in the area, which adds to the strength of their company.
Their commitment to family also shines through the work they do, providing a great working environment that keeps employees around for many years. Take, for instance, Molle Bouch. The 1990 Hoquiam High School graduate has been with the company for nearly ten years and is responsible for the development of the business in the two county area. A board member for United Way of Grays Harbor, Bouch manages the sales staff and calls on customers.
In order to stay competitive and grow the company, they are continuing to expand their product line and services. Their new project, Fiesta Food Services, is a new concept called a “micromarket” where small open markets are set up in private workplaces and employee break rooms in order to offer more variety to company employees. They stock beverages, sandwiches, snacks and more in a customized market managed through a self checkout kiosk. Shawn Martin manages this side of the business and is energized about this new opportunity to think outside of the box. “We’re always doing something new,” he explained.
Whether its soda, chips, sandwiches or coffee, the Martin family is sure to be working hard filling the shelves and vending machines at a shop near you.
Photo credits: Eric Jackson
