OUR COMPANY STORY
Joe Cerino is the founder of HAR Adhesive Technologies. Joe's father owned and operated a neighborhood grocery store. This is the story of how the HAR Adhesive Technologies business philosophy was born and what sets HAR apart from every other company.
Joe was expected to work with his father in the family business on weekends and during school vacations. From a very early age Joe and his father spent many hours together in the business. His father carefully taught his young son everything he knew about business and about life. Every day together was an opportunity for father to teach son.
Twice a week Joe's father would travel in his box truck to the Central Produce Market where he would purchase his fresh vegetables and fruits to be sold at the store. Joe went to the market with his father on many occasions. They would leave the house very early and the ritual would normally take all morning.
The Central Produce Market was a world that few ever witness, especially at such a young age. There were streets filled with large trucks and warehouses filled with boxes of fruits and vegetables stacked to the ceiling as far as the eye could see. The market was a bustling center of activity. Trucks and tow-motors were endlessly on the move, store owners would loudly bid for goods and dock workers hustled for the chance to load trucks.
Amazingly, Joe's father seemed to know everyone at the market and everyone seemed to know him. He would warmly look old friends in the eye, smile and ask, "Hi, how are you doing today?"
One winter morning during the Christmas vacation break from school, Joe's father took him to the market. As they traveled from stand to stand buying their truck load of produce, Joe's father asked him, "Have you noticed that no one has lettuce this morning? There is a big winter shortage and lettuce is nearly impossible to find."
"You know," said his father, "I have been doing business with the same lettuce wholesaler for over 20 years. When he has an oversupply I will always take a few extra cases to help him out. When there is a shortage, he will always have some put aside for me."
As the father and son approached the lettuce vendor, the vendor yelled out, "I have 20 cases of lettuce put aside for you." Then he turned to the young son and said:
"Your father is very loyal to me and always treats me honestly and fairly. He knows that I will always make sure your store never runs out of lettuce."
— The lettuce vendor, Central Produce Market · a morning that stayed with Joe Cerino for the rest of his life
Both men looked at each other and smiled.
The young son was touched that day and the experience left a lasting impression. He was touched by the warm smiles that silently reflected the pride and satisfaction that came from such a simple yet priceless relationship. He was impressed by the comfort, confidence and success that can be gained when both sides win.
"And this is why HAR Adhesive Technologies exists today — to be dependable, to deal honestly and fairly, and most of all to build and attend to each relationship like it is special. HAR strives to build relationships that are mutually enjoyable and beneficial. We measure our success in the number of satisfied repeat customers. We have learned that mutually beneficial relationships are priceless and we value them."
— Joe Cerino, Founder
The philosophy in practice
Sixty Years Later, Here's What It Looks Like
The lettuce-stand lesson wasn't just a story Joe carried with him. It became the operating model — and these are the places you see it most clearly today.
Loyalty goes both ways
#1
ITW Dynatec's largest customer worldwide — four years running
Joe's father took extra cases when the vendor had too many. That kind of loyalty creates partners who always have something set aside for you.
The speedboat
1 day
We respond to every inquiry within one business day
When there's a shortage and the clock is running, you call the partner who always picks up. We've built our entire operation to move fast when it matters.
Long-term relationships
25+ yrs
A leading H.B. Fuller distributor for over 25 years
Not a transaction. Not a contract. A partnership built on the same principle the vendor described on that winter morning: honesty and reliability, practiced every time.
Experience that serves
20+ yrs
Average experience across our sales team
Joe's father knew everyone at the market. Our people know their industries and their customers the same way — deeply, personally, and built over years of showing up.
Always prepared
550+
Documented systems behind every order we ship
The vendor always had cases set aside. HAR always has an answer ready. Our 550+ documented processes exist so that no customer ever finds us without lettuce.
Proven over time
~50 yrs
In business since the early 1970s — still growing
From $500K to over $20M. A business built on relationships doesn't shrink when conditions get hard. It grows because the people inside it are invested in each other's success.
The people behind it
Meet the HAR Team
The story started with Joe's father and a lettuce vendor who shook hands and meant it. The people below are carrying that forward today.
Our sales team averages over 20 years of industry experience. Each rep is empowered to make decisions for their customers — no slow approvals, no unnecessary layers. To find the rep who covers your state, visit our Find Your Local Rep page.
