Thursday, September 26th, 1991 - 3
DEDICATED FAMILY
  Gerry and Ellen Volling could have stayed in Germany, close to their families and enjoyed a traditional lifestyle. But Gerry, who was in the grocery business, wanted more. Recalling their decision to come to Canada in 1954, Ellen chuckles affectionately when she says, “I think he (Gerry) was looking for adventure more than anything else.”
  The adventure began on a freighter bound for Eastern Canada, a train that brought them to Prince George, continued through 37 years (25 in business together) of working and raising a family and it isn’t over yet.
  Why Prince George? Gerry, who’d always been fascinated by Argentina and airplanes wanted to combine the two but reason won out. They had friends here and a customer told him he’d heard good things about British Columbia.
  Becoming established saw Gerry work at a variety of jobs, first in saw-
                                           A SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE FOR P.G. OFFICE EQUIPMENT LTD. Stories by Maureen Keibel
   The story of the Volling family includes adventure, success and joy.
                                                                                                                                                                  of furniture
mills, then a grocery wholesale outlet, later as a carpenter for Golden Construction which lasted through building the R.C.M.P. staff housing on Irwin Street, 28 homes in the Nechako Subdivision and led to his being hired by Alec McGregor of I. B. Guest Stationers to renovate the interior of his store. McGregor hired him and his interest in office equipment was
sparked.
  Approached by McKenzie Stationers of Dawson Creek to manage an outlet here, Gerry and Ellen accepted the offer and worked for two years out of the back of Saxon Shoes on George Street.
  In 1966, the Vollings bought the business, named it P.G. Office Equipment Ltd. and moved to the present location, 401 Third Avenue.
  1966 also saw the beginning of their 25-year association with Steelcase Canada, manufacturers of office furniture and one of the first big decisions
 was to order a carload from Eastern Canada.
   It’s a point of pride with the Vollings that Steelcase desks delivered to Northwood Pulp & Timber Ltd. 25 years ago are still in use today.
   Gerry’s construction experience was put to good use renovating the 800-square-foot premises which had formerly housed a butcher shop and sheet metal business. Today the store
and warehouse occupy 7,000 square feet.
  At this time, Gerry, in a 1972 Chev Biscayne loaded tc the roof, began traveling through the central interior.
  Meanwhile, Ellen kept the homefront organized and concentrated, as she does today, on handling the accounting for the business.
  As children, Susan, Inga and Ron Volling developed an interest in the business, working after school and Saturdays. Today Susan and Ron manage the day-today operations, taking over from Gerry who is semiretired but still enjoys staying in touch with customers and friends who go back 35 years.
  Both Susan, a former primary teacher and Ron, who has a degree in business and commerce and banking experience learned the furniture business from their father. “I developed my selling skills and basic product knowledge from my father. He’s been our greatest teacher”, she says.
  To keep up with the rapidly changing furniture market, Susan and Ron spend time in Vancouver, Toronto and the United States gaining product knowledge through factory tours and seminars.
  In addition to working together, the Volling family has always played together. Whether skiing, boating, other outdoor activity or gathering at the grandparents’ home, they enjoy each other’s company. And, as the next generation puts its stamp on the business, the adventure continues.
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