4 | Polymer Professionals Rubber Company, a business that sprung to life in 1969 as a custom molder of rubber parts. While that operation is now known as SternManufacturing (functioning under the second generation of family leadership via founder’s son, Terry Stern), it is essential to understand that Stern Companies has an exceedingly differentiated business model and innovative approach to service, which is not so much a byproduct of the Stern family, but the ingenuity of another professional, namely Stern Companies Owner Shawn Hunstad. Raised in the Red River Valley region of Minnesota, Hunstad is one of those rare types of people that fully embrace the philosophy that challenges can be overcome by those committed to collaboration, cooperation and open communication. And to be sure, these are not simply concepts to which he adheres in his professional obligations, but a routine aspect of his public and personal duties as a leader on his church council and as an elected representative on the local school board. More than 20 years ago, Hunstad was hired by Stern Rubber Company as an onthe-road salesperson. Stern Rubber Co. specialized in custom molded rubber compo-
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