National Soft Water Service begins
Howard Buck starts the family business in West Liberty, helping dairy farmers and local families solve hard-water problems.
Four generations of family
Built to solve problems. Grown by earning trust.
National Salt began with one practical idea in 1949 and grew into a wholesale salt business serving customers across Ohio and beyond.
Since1949
First GenerationHoward BuckFounder
Where it began
A problem worth solving
While working as a field man for Borden Milk Company, Howard Buck saw how hard water affected local dairy farmers. Calcium buildup clogged water-heater outlets, while iron and mineral deposits left a film on dairy equipment that created sanitation problems and threatened farmers’ income.
Howard traveled to Illinois to learn about the young water-conditioning industry. In 1949, he began working from a rented garage in West Liberty, Ohio, installing water-treatment equipment from his Studebaker.
National Salt started the same way it still operates today: by paying attention to what customers need and finding a practical way to help.
Our journey
From a rented garage to wholesale delivery
Lowell Buck joins the business
Howard’s son Lowell joins National Soft Water and helps move customers from exchange tanks to automatic water softeners while developing established salt-delivery routes.
A retail presence in Bellefontaine
National Soft Water Service opens a full-service branch offering water softener salt, followed by another location in Marysville.
Wholesale delivery takes shape
Lowell and his son Steve launch a forklift-delivery wholesale division as more retailers begin carrying water softener salt.
National Salt Distributors is formed
After selling the water-conditioning portion of the company, the family establishes National Salt Distributors, Inc. and focuses on wholesale salt.
The fourth generation joins
After graduating from college, Steve’s daughter Delanie joins the company and continues learning every side of the family business.
The retail locations are sold
Steve sells the Bellefontaine and Marysville retail locations as National Salt continues its focus on wholesale salt distribution.
Original National Salt delivery trucksGrowing with our customers
The business changed. The personal service did not.
As buying habits changed, National Salt changed with them—from exchange tanks and home salt routes to retail stores, wholesale distribution, forklift delivery and full-truckload shipments.
Through every generation, the goal has stayed simple: offer dependable products, make delivery easier and help our customers succeed.
How We Deliver TodayFour generations
One family business
Each generation has helped National Salt evolve while carrying forward the relationships and service the company was built on.
Howard Buck
Recognized a local need and founded the business in 1949.
Lowell Buck
Expanded water-conditioning service and established salt-delivery routes.
Steve Buck
Developed the forklift-delivery wholesale division and grew National Salt’s reach.
Delanie Baustert
Joined in 2013 and continues carrying the family business into its next chapter.
A four-generation family businessSteve Buck, Delanie Baustert and Lowell Buck with founder Howard Buck’s portrait.
Today
Still family owned. Still personally invested.
National Salt now supplies water softener, deicing, pool, agricultural and food-grade salt in bagged, mini-bulk and bulk quantities. We are proud of how far the company has come—and even prouder that our customers still know the people behind it.
Work With Our Family