Garbage is a big industry.

Tuesday, January 09, 2001

Garbage is a big industry. And it is dominated by even bigger businesses. But if you look hard, you can still find a few local garbage-haulers out there. Frank Thompson of Thompson Sanitation is one of them.

Running his three-truck operation out of Clarks Grove, Thompson said he truly loves taking out the trash.

&uot;I love being outside. I’m a total outdoorsman,&uot; he said. &uot;I like every part of it. There was never any guesswork. This is what I do.&uot;

In fact, Thompson started in the business when he was only nine years old. His father, Roger Thompson, started the company back in the early 1980s and, when the younger Thompson was not in school, he would help his dad out on the garbage routes.

During his junior year in high school, Thompson decided he wanted to make this his career and, in 1995, he took over the business. Since then, his father has stayed out of the business except to offer some friendly advice now and then and to occasionally lend a helping hand.

Thompson said the most difficult thing about the business, besides all the paperwork, which a bookkeeper does for him, is the competition. He said it’s difficult to compete with companies like Waste Management, one of the largest trash companies in the world.

But he does, and plans to continue to do so.

&uot;I’m the only local owner. That’s a huge part of it, the service,&uot; he said, adding that he has had a good working relationship with Waste Management and can’t say anything negative about the company. &uot;Service is the difference. There’s also a more personal touch. Up until a little while ago, people could come out and see the owner of the company whenever their trash got picked up.&uot;

He now has a long-time friend working for him. Chris Jensen, who farms, takes some routes for Thompson during his off-season.

With just himself, Jensen and a bookkeeper on the payroll, Thompson said he is able to stay competitively priced. He also said he’s been picking up a few more customers lately. But he wants to keep his business growing at an easy pace.

&uot;I like the slow build,&uot; he said. &uot;That way I can keep up with everything.&uot;