by John Frith | Nov 24, 2016 | Press Releases
By Stan Van Vleck and John Taylor
Originally appeared in the Sacramento Business Journal
This year, our two family-owned farming companies are celebrating major anniversaries. Van Vleck Ranch in Rancho Murieta turned 160 years old, while Taylor Brothers Farms in Yuba City is celebrating its centennial. We wouldn’t be here today without the hard work and leadership of our parents and grandparents, and we hope that our businesses will still be in our families decades from now.
Unfortunately, the never-ending deluge of taxes and regulations imposed here in California makes that dream less and less likely. And new tax regulations proposed by the outgoing Obama Administration would make it much harder for families to pass down their businesses to the next generation. And that would be a shame, because family businesses like ours are more than just employers. We are the bedrock of our economy and our communities and need to be preserved.
Our businesses have deep roots in Northern California. The Van Vleck family began farming operations in Apple Hill in 1856 after coming to California by covered wagon from Wisconsin, and expanded operations to our cattle ranch in 1915. Today I’m the fifth generation owner of the business and have created a thriving operation specializing in ultra-premium beef for many of the nation’s top restaurants, including Michael Mina and The French Laundry.
The Taylor family has a similar story, settling in the Loomis area before the turn of the last century. In fact, Taylor Road is named for our family. Earl Taylor moved north to begin farming the rich soils of Sutter County in 1916. His son, George, carried on the family tradition until my brother, Richard, and I took over in the early 1980s. Today we are the world’s largest organic prune grower and processor.
Our families have both been success stories at a time when it’s harder and harder for family-owned businesses to grow and thrive. That’s why we are proud members of the Family Business Association of California, because family businesses absolutely have to make sure our voice is heard at the Capitol. As the old saying goes, if you’re not at the table in Sacramento, you’re on the menu.
Only about 30 percent of family businesses survive into the second generation, about 12 percent make it into the third generation and just 3 percent operate in the fourth generation and beyond.
These statistics should trouble everyone. A recent study showed California has 1.4 million family businesses that employ 7 million people. Nationally, family businesses generate 57 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product, employ 63 percent of the workforce and create three-quarters of all new jobs.
Studies have found that family businesses tend to pay their employees better, train them better and provide more generous benefits than non-family companies. And we’re less likely to significantly downsize during tough economic times. Because our families are in it for the long term, we focus on not just the next fiscal quarter but the next quarter-century.
Unfortunately, it’s increasingly difficult to keep family businesses in the family. The next generation may not be interested in the family business, and we both tell our children that they should stay involved only if they’re passionate about it and if it makes long-term economic sense.
We also face the likelihood of significantly higher inheritance taxes. We already spend years – and a lot of money on lawyers – to prevent our heirs from being forced to sell the business to pay the death taxes. Now proposed IRS regulations could change long-standing precedent and require transfer of interests in family-controlled companies to be valued as though the recipient has a right to sell it back at a “minimum value” that they couldn’t obtain in real life. Eliminating minority share discounts would significantly increase estate taxes and would force many family businesses to eventually throw in the towel.
Too many elected officials say they support family businesses and that they want us to remain here and to do well, but then turn around and say we’re doing well so what’s the problem? Well, at Van Vleck Ranch our net income is about the same as it was a dozen years ago when our gross income was 10 times less. And some bluntly say that it doesn’t really matter if we leave because others will come to replace us. This is California, after all.
But if family businesses are the bedrock of our communities and our economy, shouldn’t government enact policies that will allow us to continue in that role, rather than forcing us to sell to new owners who may be far more interested in their short-term bottom line than the long-run strength of our communities?
Stan Van Vleck is the owner of Van Vleck Ranch in Rancho Murieta. He can be reached at stan@stanvanvleck.com. John Taylor is vice president of Taylor Brothers Farms in Yuba City. He can be reached at jtaylor@succeed.net.
by John Frith | Oct 26, 2016 | Press Releases
Van Vleck Ranch marks 160th year in business; Taylor Brothers Farms celebrates centennial
The Family Business Association of California today honored two of its member companies for celebrating 100 years or more as family-owned companies this year.
The Van Vleck Ranch in Rancho Murieta was founded in 1856 and is marking its 160th anniversary in 2016, while Taylor Brothers Farms in Yuba City is celebrating its centennial this year.
Robert Rivinius, FBA’s executive director, said the two major milestones demonstrate that even in an increasingly unfriendly business environment, well-run family-owned companies can stand the test of time.
“Family businesses are the backbone of our economy. Our state’s 1.4 million family businesses employ 7 million people and create three-quarters of all new jobs,” Rivinius said. “But only 30 percent of family businesses make it to the second generation and just 3 percent operate at the fourth generation and beyond. For Van Vleck Ranch and Taylor Brothers Farms to have beaten those odds and thrived for 100 years or more is a major accomplishment.”
Van Vleck ranch is now owned by Stan Van Vleck, the fifth generation of his family to own the historic ranch, which now specializes in super-premium beef for top-tier restaurants. Taylor Brothers Farms is co-owned by brothers Richard and John, the third generation of Taylors to farm the rich soils of Sutter County. The company specializes in organic prune products.
Rivinius also noted that two Bay Area family businesses – The Advisory Group, a San Francisco-based wealth management and 401k advisory company and Cal Color Growers of Morgan Hill, a wholesale plant nursery – are marking their 25th anniversaries this year (See press release here).
But he cautioned that ever-higher state and federal taxes and regulatory burdens are making it harder every year for businesses to remain family-owned. “
Too many politicians pay lip service to the importance of family businesses in our communities, but then vote to make it more difficult for families to pass these businesses on to the next generation,” Rivinius said. “Whether it’s proposing to boost estate tax rates or constantly increasing regulations on how businesses can operate, unless there’s a change in attitude in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., fewer and fewer family companies will be celebrating milestone anniversaries like these in the years to come.”
For more information about the family businesses being honored, visit www.vv-ranch.com, http://www.taylorbrothersfarms.com, http://www.advisorygroupsf.com, and https://www.facebook.com/Cal-Color-Growers-229724310487436/
by John Frith | Oct 26, 2016 | Press Releases
The Advisory Group, Cal Color Growers both celebrating 25 years in business in 2016
The Family Business Association of California today honored two of its member companies for celebrating 25 years as family-owned companies this year.
The Advisory Group is a San Francisco-based wealth management and 401k advisory company, and Cal Color Growers is a wholesale plant nursery based in Morgan Hill.
Robert Rivinius, FBA’s executive director, said the two major milestones demonstrate that even in an increasingly unfriendly business environment, well-run family-owned companies can stand the test of time.
“Family businesses are the backbone of our economy. Our state’s 1.4 million family businesses employ 7 million people and create three-quarters of all new jobs,” Rivinius said. “It’s not easy to grow and nurture successful businesses and we congratulate Cal Color Growers and The Advisory Group for 25 years of success.”
Rivinius also noted that two Sacramento-area family businesses – Van Vleck Ranch and Taylor Brothers Farms – are celebrating milestone anniversaries in 2016. Van Vleck Ranch is 160 years old and Taylor Brothers Farms is 100 years old. (See press release here.)
But he cautioned that ever-higher state and federal taxes and regulatory burdens are making it harder every year for businesses to remain family-owned.
“Too many politicians pay lip service to the importance of family businesses in our communities, but then vote to make it more difficult for families to pass these businesses on to the next generation,” Rivinius said. “Whether it’s proposing to boost estate tax rates or constantly increasing regulations on how businesses can operate, unless there’s a change in attitude in Sacramento and Washington, D.C., fewer and fewer family companies will be celebrating milestone anniversaries like these in the years to come.”
For more information about the family businesses being honored, visit http://www.advisorygroupsf.com, https://www.facebook.com/Cal-Color-Growers-229724310487436/, www.vv-ranch.com, and http://www.taylorbrothersfarms.com.
by John Frith | Sep 21, 2016 | Highlights
The Family Business Association of California (FBA) represents family businesses at the legislature and in the courts to help overcome regulatory and economic obstacles and ensure they maintain freedom to operate with as little government intervention as possible.
We are a proactive voice for family businesses in California and identify opportunities for and threats against family businesses, thereby providing a voice for solving the problems they face.
We are active in the California Assembly and Senate on a daily basis, where we support or oppose legislation based on the effect it would have on family businesses. The following are just a few of the many legislative goals we have mapped out for action.
Change of Ownership
The most important aspect of a family business is that it passes from generation to generation. Family business owners dream of the day when they can pass on what they’ve built on to their heirs. But that change in ownership could, depending on the circumstances and size of the business, trigger government reassessments and lead to increased tax burdens for family businesses.
AB 1040 was introduced during the 2015-2016 session of the Legislature. Had this bill passed, it would have broadened the definition of a “single transaction” transfer, potentially resulting in more family businesses being hit with real estate reassessments and a higher tax burden due to a transfer of ownership. Through the efforts of our organization and our many allies, AB 1040 was defeated, preserving the ability for family businesses to pass ownership on to their heirs without being subjected to undue hardship.
Fighting Unnecessary Regulations
SB 878, also known as the Fair Scheduling Act , would have required grocers, retailers and restaurants to adopt convoluted guidelines in order to change the schedules of hourly workers. Failure to follow these guidelines would have enabled any affected employee to sue, in addition to requiring businesses to compensate employees for shifts not worked or pay them a higher rate for new shifts. This would have been problematic for a number of reasons:
- The bill would have reduced the freedom business owners and management have over their own operations.
- It could have potentially invited legal battles that many family businesses would struggle to finance or settle.
- Complex regulatory changes that affect routine operations often put an unfair burden on family businesses, especially if they have limited resources to handle those required changes.
FBA and our business partners defeated SB 878, ensuring these damaging restrictions won’t be forced on unsuspecting family business owners.
Other Legislation
FBA also was involved in killing a split-roll real estate tax effort that would have cost California businesses $9 billion per year and tax reform that would have placed a sales tax on services. FBA won on two legislative efforts to help reduce meritless ADA lawsuits, reforms to employee tracking requirements, and formation of a group to find solutions to cargo theft. Although it was a tough year overall, without the voice of California’s family owned businesses at the Capitol, it would have been worse.
Please contact FBA to learn more about becoming a member of our Association
by John Frith | Sep 21, 2016 | Blog
The Family Business Association of California (FBA) represents family businesses at the legislature and in the courts to help overcome regulatory and economic obstacles and ensure they maintain freedom to operate with as little government intervention as possible.
We are a proactive voice for family businesses in California and identify opportunities for and threats against family businesses, thereby providing a voice for solving the problems they face.
We are active in the California Assembly and Senate on a daily basis, where we support or oppose legislation based on the effect it would have on family businesses. The following are just a few of the many legislative goals we have mapped out for action.
Change of Ownership – The most important aspect of a family business is that it passes from generation to generation. Family business owners dream of the day when they can pass on what they’ve built on to their heirs. But that change in ownership could, depending on the circumstances and size of the business, trigger government reassessments and lead to increased tax burdens for family businesses.
AB 1040 was introduced during the 2015-2016 session of the Legislature. Had this bill passed, it would have broadened the definition of a “single transaction” transfer, potentially resulting in more family businesses being hit with real estate reassessments and a higher tax burden due to a transfer of ownership. Through the efforts of our organization and our many allies, AB 1040 was defeated, preserving the ability for family businesses to pass ownership on to their heirs without being subjected to undue hardship.
Fighting Unnecessary Regulations – SB 878, also known as the Fair Scheduling Act , would have required grocers, retailers and restaurants to adopt convoluted guidelines in order to change the schedules of hourly workers. Failure to follow these guidelines would have enabled any affected employee to sue, in addition to requiring businesses to compensate employees for shifts not worked or pay them a higher rate for new shifts. This would have been problematic for a number of reasons:
- The bill would have reduced the freedom business owners and management have over their own operations
- It could have potentially invited legal battles that many family businesses would struggle to finance or settle
- Complex regulatory changes that affect routine operations often put an unfair burden on family businesses, especially if they have limited resources to handle those required changes
FBA and our business partners defeated SB 878, ensuring these damaging restrictions won’t be forced on unsuspecting family business owners.
Other Legislation
FBA also was involved in killing a split-roll real estate tax effort that would have cost California businesses $9 billion per year and tax reform that would have placed a sales tax on services. FBA won on two legislative efforts to help reduce meritless ADA lawsuits, reforms to employee tracking requirements, and formation of a group to find solutions to cargo theft. Although it was a tough year overall, without the voice of California’s family owned businesses at the Capitol, it would have been worse.
Please contact FBA to learn more about becoming a member of our Association
