E. Ritter & Company began as a mercantile store opened by Ernest Herman Ritter Jr. in Marked Tree, Arkansas in 1889. A serial entrepreneur, Ernest went on to found or invest in numerous businesses in retail, agriculture, timber, utilities, and other industries. Since then, E. Ritter & Company has adapted through many social and economic changes and challenges.

While E. Ritter & Company remains privately held, we continue our long-standing practice of partnering with other families and like-minded investors to build value that enriches the communities we serve. Today, E. Ritter & Company is invested in a portfolio of businesses in agriculture, telecommunications, fire and life safety, information technology, and HVAC totaling over 1,500 employees across a dozen states.

Our family is a multi-generational, enterprising family that comes together to create value that enriches the lives of our family members, the performance of our portfolio, and our impact on society. We are proud to continue the legacy of our forebears, advancing private businesses that provide critical services and sustain healthy communities. Five generations of Ritters have led and sustained our family enterprise for over 135 years. We can’t wait to see what the sixth generation will dream and build for our family, our businesses, and the world.

You can read more about our history in the Encyclopedia of Arkansas.