50 Years in the Business and Can’t Recall a Bad Day 

It takes a team of qualified and dedicated people to deliver the level of service Superior Industrial Supply is known for. Meet John Ruppel, Outside Sales Representative for Superior. John has over 50 years of experience in the industrial supply business and is enjoying what he likes to call semi-retirement. John is a contract employee and helps to supply customers in the Central Illinois region with the products they need to succeed.

Q: Tell us about your experience before working with Superior Industrial Supply.
Last February, I celebrated 50 years in the industrial supply business. I’ve been in sales management, but I really prefer the sales function better than anything. I’m semi-retired at the moment and went from spending about 70 hours on the road down to about 50.

Q: What made you decide to come to Superior in the first place?
Many of my customers in the southern part of the state had done business with Superior in the past and had good things to say about the company. It really became a natural progression to later reach out to Superior, and we got together right away.

Q: Is there a specific skill set that you bring to Superior?
I’m honest with my customers. We’ve developed that trust over the years. They know that I’m going to be up front with them and tell them what I can do and what I can’t do. It’s how I would want to be treated if I sat on the other side of the desk.

Q: What is one word of advice you have for the next generation of sales professionals?
I’d say that even though we have a lot of online sales and online competition, it’s still a person-to-person business. Treat people like you want to be treated. It’s been my philosophy over the years, and it’s worked well for me.

Q: What is something many people don’t know about you?
I’m a lay pastor, and I do quite a bit of church work. I’m also involved in the Gideons Organization, and we distribute Bibles all over the world. My faith is very important to me. I have served as a Scoutmaster and as a Little League coach over the years. Most importantly, I have been married to my honey for 51 years and we have five children, six grandchildren and one great-grandchild together.