1930s – 1940s
Ruth Erickson and her husband Jack start I.C. System in 1938 on
the guiding principle of giving their customers ethical, honest
service…a concept that collection agencies in the 1930’s never
even considered.
The company signs the first statewide association endorsement
with the Minnesota Retail Hardware Association.
1950s – 1960s
Ruth Erickson assumes control of the company after her husband
dies in 1953.
The company takes on a huge risk of installing expensive
automatic typewriters to produce personalized collection
letters. When the typewriters were replaced in 1968, I.C. System
became the first totally computerized collection agency in the
country.
1970s – 1980s
The company grows explosively and I.C. System builds new
corporate offices in Arden Hills, Minnesota.
I.C. System continues to expand in the '80s and in 1982 the
company moved into its present headquarters in St. Paul,
Minnesota, and opens its first branch office in Mason City,
Iowa.
1990s – 2000s
The company continues to grow with over 30,000 clients from
small regional companies to large national firms in a variety of
industries.
The company expands into the commercial business by acquiring
Adams, Cooper & Marks and opens several branch offices.
I.C. System doubles in size from 2000 to 2005 and remains the
largest family-owned, privately-held receivables management
company in the U.S.