Kellenberger Appliances

Kellenberger Appliances is a family-owned appliance retailer located on Main Street in Lebanon, Oregon, serving homeowners and small businesses with sales, delivery, installation, and repair of major home appliances. The store generates revenue primarily through markup on new appliance sales, supplemented by service fees for installation, repair, and parts, capturing a loyal local customer base that values personalized service over online alternatives. As a brick‑and‑mortar operation in a town of roughly 16,000 residents, it competes with regional chains and national e‑commerce platforms, relying on its reputation for quick response times and knowledgeable staff to maintain market share. With an estimated 5‑10 W‑2 employees, the business stands to save approximately $5,950‑$11,900 annually through the Employee Benefits Program’s $1,190 per‑employee tax credit. The owner—likely a member of the Kellenberger family—makes benefits and purchasing decisions, and would be motivated by the prospect of reducing payroll‑tax burden while offering a more competitive benefits package to retain skilled technicians and sales staff. Lowering benefits costs directly improves margins in a low‑margin retail environment, freeing capital for inventory expansion or marketing efforts to counter online price pressure. Offering a robust benefits program also addresses industry pain points such as high turnover among service technicians and difficulty attracting talent in a rural labor market. By positioning EBP as a tool to enhance employee satisfaction and reduce operating expenses, the outreach aligns with Kellenberger’s goal of maintaining high service quality while staying profitable.