KELLOGG – One of Silver Valley's oldest and most successful family businesses can now call itself a fifth-generation company. 

Hoffman Boots, which has operated in Kellogg for 53 years, is now co-owned by Tom Hoffman and his daughter and son-in-law, Laurel and Will Yergler. 

The Hoffman family's history in the boot and shoe industry stretches back more than a century. What began as a simple boot and shoe repair business eventually grew into one of North Idaho's most successful manufacturing companies. 

To understand where the company is headed, it helps to look at where it began. 

Joseph Hoffman worked as a bootmaker in Austria before immigrating to the United States in 1880. His sons, all born in America, learned the trade as well. 

One of those sons, Andrew Hoffman, moved to California and opened a shoe store that specialized in both sales and repairs. His three sons also entered the family business, though they would eventually adapt to a rapidly changing industry. 

In 1973, after relocating from California to the Silver Valley, brothers John, Robert and Joe Hoffman opened Hoffman Shoes in Kellogg. Over time, the company began manufacturing its own line of boots for hunting, logging and, most notably, utility linemen. 

As each brother retired, three of John's children stepped forward to lead the business into the next century. 

Tom Hoffman, Jim Hoffman and Beth Gibbons guided the company into the internet age while continuing to refine its products and expand its reach around the world. 

Now, with the addition of the Yerglers and Tom's youngest son, Brayden Hoffman, the company is preparing for its next chapter. 

Laurel Yergler, a certified public accountant with 15 years of experience, is focused on modernizing the company's back-office operations through improvements in technology, software and inventory management. 

Will Yergler brings a different background to the table. Before joining Hoffman Boots, he worked in the Silver Valley's hard-rock mining industry and later operated his own concrete business. 

According to Laurel, it was ultimately her husband's idea to become involved in the company. 

"We had a family meeting where we talked about some of this, but it didn't really go anywhere," Laurel said. "Will stepped forward and basically said that he didn't want to see my dad's business sold off for parts." 

After reaching an agreement with Jim Hoffman, the couple got to work. 

"I want to give Dad a lot of credit," Laurel said. "Our goal is to bring the business into the 21st century. Everything is super outdated and inefficient. They did a great job growing the business to this size with the limited tools they were using. We are trying to take it to the next level and make it more efficient as we move into the future." 

For Will, the transition has brought a significant culture shift. 

"It's a lot more computer time than I've ever spent," he said. "So that's been a big change." 

Still, he said the greatest growth has come from the relationships he has built while learning the operational side of the business. 

Brayden Hoffman, meanwhile, has been learning the business from his father since childhood. At 22, he has stepped into a versatile role with a focus on marketing, advertising and digital media. 

"We're doing some revamping for how we get our products in front of people," Brayden said. 

"It's all about likes and clicks, he tells me," Tom joked. 

After exploring other opportunities following high school, Brayden said joining Hoffman Boots presented a clear path forward. He described the company as his long-term career plan. 

If everything goes according to plan, Brayden hopes to one day purchase his father's share of the company. 

Tom said he is encouraged to see the next generation becoming involved and bringing fresh ideas to help the multimillion-dollar company continue growing. 

"To see these guys jump in, to see them bring new ideas, it's really exciting," he said. 

As the next generation assumes larger roles within the company, the focus remains on continued growth and potential expansion opportunities. 

Hoffman Boots maintains longstanding contracts with several major companies, including Pacific Gas and Electric, which provides utility service to more than 16 million people in Northern and Central California. 

The company's 26,000-square-foot facility has served it well over the years, but its origins as a former grocery store have created some logistical challenges that Laurel, Will and Brayden hope to address. 

"We quickly realized this is a much bigger undertaking than we imagined," Laurel said. "One of our first goals is to try and make this building as efficient as possible so that we can see how much space we need." 

While the factory occupies a relatively small portion of the building, storage remains a significant challenge. 

Will said improving technology will also help meet customer expectations in an era when online shoppers expect products to arrive quickly. 

That effort, however, goes hand-in-hand with improving efficiency throughout the facility. 

"Inventory is a huge priority for us," Laurel said. "Everything right now is really patch-worked together. One system requires another and we're trying to narrow it down to one system." 

From a product standpoint, Laurel said the company plans to focus on the areas where Hoffman Boots already excels while continuing to refine its offerings. 

"In retail, you want options, but you don't want too many options," she said. "So, we're going to continue to come out with new products, but we're going to look at our products and phase out the stuff that's no longer relevant." 

Brayden is also interested in expanding design options for some of the company's most popular products. 

"As far as lineman and logging boots, we pretty much are the name in the industry for quality," Tom said. "We're headed that way in the arborist world and getting there in hunting as well." 

Despite the challenges that come with growth and transition, the Hoffman family continues to operate the business the way it always has: together. 

Supported by a small but dedicated workforce, Hoffman Boots remains a multimillion-dollar company whose products are sold through major retailers, featured on television programs and relied upon in numerous high-risk professions. 

Tom's wife, Stacey Hoffman, said she has long been proud of the business and even more excited to see another generation stepping forward. 

"Very few companies can get this big with 15 employees," Stacey said. "Tom, Jim and Beth did a great job getting this company to where it is today. 

"I'm going to be a mom here for a second, but I think Laurel is a genius. She understands people. Will has slipped right in. He doesn't sit still well. He would rather be up and doing different things, and in his new role, he just can't. These two have to be in here. Brayden is catching on so fast, and he's really good with people. 

"Bringing family into a family business can be challenging. But our employees seem to be happy and realize these guys have caught the vision of what Hoffman Boots is and what it can be. It's pretty impressive."