Jeff Cloud, President and CEO of IBT Industrial Solutions and its parent company, Cumulus Companies Inc., shares the rich history of his family’s 77-year-old industrial distribution business, founded by his grandparents in 1949. Born from his grandfather’s entrepreneurial spirit after a sales territory dispute, IBT’s core “Yes, we can do that” mantra and sales-driven approach fueled its growth from a single shop to a multi-state enterprise with over 400 employees. Jeff discusses the intentional cultivation of a people-first culture, emphasizing respect, internal development, and exceptional customer service, evidenced by their remarkable employee longevity.
His personal journey, which included time in the culinary industry before returning to IBT, highlights the value of earning respect and understanding the business from the ground up. The family’s commitment to long-term stewardship led to the formation of Cumulus Companies, diversifying investments while intentionally scaling IBT’s core cultural values across new acquisitions. This episode offers a compelling case study for family business leaders on nurturing legacy, fostering a resilient culture, and strategically preparing for multi-generational success.
Overall Summary
IBT Industrial Solutions’ enduring success, spanning 77 years and multiple generations, is a powerful testament to the principle that performance is inextricably linked to a robust, intentional culture. Jeff Cloud’s narrative consistently demonstrates how deeply embedded values—such as fostering a “family and community” environment, championing exceptional customer engagement, and empowering employees with respect and open communication—drive loyalty, resilience, and strategic growth. By prioritizing long-term stewardship and strategically integrating cultural best practices even across diversified acquisitions, IBT exemplifies how a strong cultural foundation not only sustains a business but positions it for continuous evolution and multi-generational prosperity. This aligns perfectly with The Third Layer’s focus on unlocking superior performance by cultivating a thriving, purpose-driven culture within organizations.
About Jeff Cloud
Jeff Cloud, President and CEO of IBT Industrial Solutions and its parent company, Cumulus Companies Inc., shares the rich history of his family’s 77-year-old industrial distribution business, founded by his grandparents in 1949. Born from his grandfather’s entrepreneurial spirit after a sales territory dispute, IBT’s core “Yes, we can do that” mantra and sales-driven approach fueled its growth from a single shop to a multi-state enterprise with over 400 employees. Jeff discusses the intentional cultivation of a people-first culture, emphasizing respect, internal development, and exceptional customer service, evidenced by their remarkable employee longevity. His personal journey, which included time in the culinary industry before returning to IBT, highlights the value of earning respect and understanding the business from the ground up. The family’s commitment to long-term stewardship led to the formation of Cumulus Companies, diversifying investments while intentionally scaling IBT’s core cultural values across new acquisitions. This episode offers a compelling case study for family business leaders on nurturing legacy, fostering a resilient culture, and strategically preparing for multi-generational success.
Key Themes
Multi-Generational Legacy and Succession Planning: The podcast details the intentional progression of leadership and the proactive efforts to prepare the business for the fourth generation, emphasizing a long-term perspective over short-term gains.
Culture as a Performance Driver: IBT’s success is deeply rooted in its “family and community” culture, which prioritizes respect, open communication, and long-term employee tenure to foster loyalty and drive exceptional performance.
Customer-Centricity and “Exceptional Engagement“: The company’s commitment to going above and beyond for customers, building deep, lasting relationships based on trust, and a willingness to solve critical problems 24/7, even in non-ideal situations.
Strategic Diversification and Value Creation: The formation of Cumulus Companies represents a family office model that invests outside the core distribution business, leveraging IBT’s best practices and shared services to insulate against market shifts and support acquired entities.
Leadership Development and Humility: Jeff Cloud’s personal journey highlights the importance of earning respect, learning from all levels of the organization, and embracing candid feedback for personal and professional growth, particularly for the next generation entering the family business.
