Still Growing [Business People (IN)]

In today's challenging business climate, Silveus Insurance Group has grown through innovation and diversification. It has worked hard to maintain its founding family's values, emphasizing a positive business culture through a dedicated focus on serving its employees and clients.

In 1940, Grover Sims, the grandfather of Steve Silveus, current chairman of the board, started Sims Insurance Agency. He believed in a talented sales team, honesty and close customer relationships. Sims and son-in-law Dick Silveus, Steve's father, were the first to offer hail insurance to Indiana farmers. In the early 1980s, Steve, having joined the family business, expanded into government relationships, offering multi-peril crop insurance. Twenty-three years later, the company, now known as Silveus Insurance Group (SIG), has added property uid casualty insurance, a real estate firm and a commodities division. It continues to diversify to meet client needs and stay competitive in a rapidly changing market.

Today the Silveus team includes the fourth generation: Steve's three sons, Scott, Cameron and Tyler, and daughter, Erin. Along with a talented team of sales and support individuals, the company has seen explosive growth in the last six years. In 2005, SIG had six employees and 18 agents. Now there are 58 employees and 64 agents covering 34 states. There are plans to add a dozen agents in the next year, says CEO, Craig Snow. SIG's goal is to serve as the leading risk-management consulting agency to agriculture. Through innovation, the Silveus Insurance Group has continued growing in a difficult economy. It has helped create industry-changing federal insurance products.

"We take pride in thinking outside the box," says Cameron Silveus. Increased sales have also helped the Silveus team stay at the top of their field. While the government cut $12 billion in programs over the last four years, SIG has grown in sales to outgrow the cuts.

This success, however, comes from SIG's emphasis on putting people first.

"It's about how we take care of our clients and employees," says Snow. "When employees are valued, empowered and given tools to be successful in their jobs, it brings a sense of pride that is naturally transferred to clients in the form of great customer service."

Silveus agents strive to be in-tune with client's needs and dilemmas. SIG hires knowledgeable employees who have a heart for farmers.

"It's simple to us," says Snow. "We want farmers to succeed. We want to provide the right products that will protect our clients' operations."

The Silveus Insurance Group has a business philosophy: Thank the Lord for your blessings, thank your employees for their work and get down to business. The growth formula for this agricultural insurance business seems to produce a high yield.

Silveus Insurance Group

Address: 1037 Mariners Drive

Warsaw, Indiana 45681

Telephone: (800) 531-9909; (574) 267-4042

Fax: (574) 268-2442

Number of employees & agents: 122

Years in business: 71

Website: www.cropins.net