Keep Moving
Keep Trying
- 1960s
- 1970s | 1980s
- 1990s | 2000s
It All Started
With a Jukebox…
It was the late 1950s in central Kentucky. While honing his business skills as a clerk at the Garrard County Stockyards, Bill Ray acquired a single jukebox, which he was able to place in a popular truck stop in Lancaster, KY. A nickel at a time, a business idea grew. One jukebox led to another, and the work of collecting nickels became a real business. In 1961, Team Modern was born as Modern Music, Inc. Bill Ray, brother-in-law Paul Chadwell, and Russell Teater started the company to own and operate jukeboxes and pinball machines. The Team Modern Amusement Division maintains a foothold in the business six decades later.
Opportunity Knocks in Somerset
In 1965, Modern Music had the opportunity to buy Central Vending, a small vending company in Somerset, KY. However, none of the owners had the money or the ability to borrow. Hogan Teater – Bill’s mentor and Russell’s father – signed the note which allowed for the business purchase. Bill and his young family would move to Somerset and begin a new adventure. In 1969, the name of the business was officially changed to Modern Vending Company, Inc. The business was known internally as Modern Music & Vending.
1970s-80s
A Vending Legacy
Through the 1970s and 80s, Modern Vending Company became an institution in the Lake Cumberland region. Led by the energetic duo of Bill Ray and Ulanda Price, MVC fed countless thousands of factory workers across Southern Kentucky and Central Tennessee with hot food cafeterias (known internally as speed lines) and food, drink & snack machines. To many in the local community, Team Modern will always be known as Modern Vending. Eventually, the trend of self-checkout kiosks came to Modern Vending, and the MVC legacy lives on in Micro-Markets and dining centers throughout our service area.
Business and generations change
The Modern culture has never been afraid of change. In the early 1980s, two important changes came together. Food Fair, an independent grocer in Somerset, became Team Modern’s first wholesale grocery customer. Beginning with candy and tobacco, Modern Vending entered the arena of wholesale distribution. In 1985, Mickey and Jerry Ray bought ownership interest in Modern Vending. By the end of the decade, the company would be solely owned by the Ray family. Mickey and Jerry would ensure the stability of leadership for the next four decades.
Learning Convenience Distribution
Through the 1980s and 90s, the opportunities in wholesale distribution became clear. In late 1991, recognizing the future of growth was in distribution, the Ray family changed the corporate name of the company to Modern Distributors, Inc. The purchase of Midway Wholesale in Cave City, KY in 1992 was a stepping stone to learning more about grocery – and ultimately Convenience Distribution.
1990s-2000s
The First Last Move
In 2006, with road expansion taking the distribution facility on Clifty Road in Somerset, Modern Distributors was forced to find a new home. The former Ready-Mix warehouses on Columbia Street became the center of Convenience Distribution. Although not designed for distribution, the work and ingenuity of the Modern Team made it work. Jerry Ray declared that it was his last warehouse move. And it was… for 14 years.
Commitment to foodservice
As the Convenience Distribution Division at Team Modern continued to grow, it became clear that a dedicated commitment to foodservice was an important part of the company future. With that thought in mind, two construction projects consumed much of 2011 at the facility on Columbia Street. First, a 12,000 sf warehouse expansion allowed for greatly expanded freezer and cooler capacity, as well as more efficient loading dock space. At the same time, a test kitchen was added during an office renovation to allow for foodservice demonstrations. These two investments would be the catalyst for a decade of strong foodservice growth.
Losing the founder, not the foundation
In May 2018, the Modern family said goodbye to Bill Ray. In response to his passing, it became clear to Modern Management and Ownership that intentional effort had to be put forth to maintain the culture he created at Team Modern. Michael Ray, Bill’s grandson and Mickey’s son, emerged as a key component in identifying Team Modern’s core values. Based on a few of William G’s most memorable quotes, The Modern Way is the set of values that sustain his legacy. Team Modern continues to move forward based on Optimistic Energy, Fairness, Teamwork, Customer Focus and Gratitude.
1960s
It All Started With a Jukebox
It was the late 1950s in central Kentucky. While honing his business skills as a clerk at the Garrard County Stockyards, Bill Ray acquired a single jukebox, which he was able to place in a popular truck stop in Lancaster, KY. A nickel at a time, a business idea grew. One jukebox led to another, and the work of collecting nickels became a real business. In 1961, Team Modern was born as Modern Music, Inc. Bill Ray, brother-in-law Paul Chadwell, and Russell Teater started the company to own and operate jukeboxes and pinball machines. The Team Modern Amusement Division maintains a foothold in the business six decades later.
Opportunity Knocks in Somerset
In 1965, Modern Music had the opportunity to buy Central Vending, a small vending company in Somerset, KY. However, none of the owners had the money or the ability to borrow. Hogan Teater – Bill’s mentor and Russell’s father – signed the note which allowed for the business purchase. Bill and his young family would move to Somerset and begin a new adventure. In 1969, the name of the business was officially changed to Modern Vending Company, Inc. The business was known internally as Modern Music & Vending.
1970s | 1980s
A Vending Legacy
Through the 1970s and 80s, Modern Vending Company became an institution in the Lake Cumberland region. Led by the energetic duo of Bill Ray and Ulanda Price, MVC fed countless thousands of factory workers across Southern Kentucky and Central Tennessee with hot food cafeterias (known internally as speed lines) and food, drink & snack machines. To many in the local community, Team Modern will always be known as Modern Vending. Eventually, the trend of self-checkout kiosks came to Modern Vending, and the MVC legacy lives on in Micro-Markets and dining centers throughout our service area.
Business and generations change
The Modern culture has never been afraid of change. In the early 1980s, two important changes came together. Food Fair, an independent grocer in Somerset, became Team Modern’s first wholesale grocery customer. Beginning with candy and tobacco, Modern Vending entered the arena of wholesale distribution. In 1985, Mickey and Jerry Ray bought ownership interest in Modern Vending. By the end of the decade, the company would be solely owned by the Ray family. Mickey and Jerry would ensure the stability of leadership for the next four decades.
Learning Convenience Distribution
Through the 1980s and 90s, the opportunities in wholesale distribution became clear. In late 1991, recognizing the future of growth was in distribution, the Ray family changed the corporate name of the company to Modern Distributors, Inc. The purchase of Midway Wholesale in Cave City, KY in 1992 was a stepping stone to learning more about grocery – and ultimately Convenience Distribution.
1990s | 2000s
The First Last Move
In 2006, with road expansion taking the distribution facility on Clifty Road in Somerset, Modern Distributors was forced to find a new home. The former Ready-Mix warehouses on Columbia Street became the center of Convenience Distribution. Although not designed for distribution, the work and ingenuity of the Modern Team made it work. Jerry Ray declared that it was his last warehouse move. And it was… for 14 years.
Commitment to foodservice
As the Convenience Distribution Division at Team Modern continued to grow, it became clear that a dedicated commitment to foodservice was an important part of the company future. With that thought in mind, two construction projects consumed much of 2011 at the facility on Columbia Street. First, a 12,000 sf warehouse expansion allowed for greatly expanded freezer and cooler capacity, as well as more efficient loading dock space. At the same time, a test kitchen was added during an office renovation to allow for foodservice demonstrations. These two investments would be the catalyst for a decade of strong foodservice growth.
Losing the founder, not the foundation
In May 2018, the Modern family said goodbye to Bill Ray. In response to his passing, it became clear to Modern Management and Ownership that intentional effort had to be put forth to maintain the culture he created at Team Modern. Michael Ray, Bill’s grandson and Mickey’s son, emerged as a key component in identifying Team Modern’s core values. Based on a few of William G’s most memorable quotes, The Modern Way is the set of values that sustain his legacy. Team Modern continues to move forward based on Optimistic Energy, Fairness, Teamwork, Customer Focus and Gratitude.
GRATITUDE
"A deal is not a good deal unless it’s a good deal for both parties."
The Modern Way
Founder Bill Ray
A Solid Foundation
for a Strong Future
Team Modern’s investment in our new facility is an investment in our people and an investment in our partners. It is the foundation for a long future of successful relationships.