2018 has been a big year for i.g. Burton and Co.

2018 marks the 110th anniversary of i.g. Burton & Co. Inc., a Delaware mainstay in the automobile business.

The Burton family originally started selling cars from their general store in Millsboro more than a century ago. Today, they are not only celebrating this incredible business milestone, but also celebrating the acquisition of three more dealerships - two Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram stores, and one Chevrolet location, which now gives them the largest business footprint in their long history.

“We have added Smyrna, Del., and Berlin, Md., to our roster,” said Charlie Burton, owner and fifth-generation Burton family member to operate the business. “By adding these locations, we now have Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram stores that cover from the Virginia line to the south all the way up to Wilmington at the north. And, by adding another Chevrolet store to the south in Berlin, we now have Chevrolet coverage in almost the same footprint.”

While the size of the company has changed, the business philosophy remains the same. On the back of every vehicle i.g. Burton sells is the company crest which bears the word “integrity.” “It goes back to my grandfather, I.G. Burton, who our company is named for. He taught me long ago that earning and keeping a great reputation is based on your actions. Your actions demonstrate your integrity. He put that in our crest, and we have kept it for a very long time. It is who we are,” said Burton.

The company now has locations in Milford, Seaford, Lewes and Smyrna, and Berlin, Md. Berlin is the first i.g. Burton store to be located in Maryland. “It all boils down to people. It always has and always will. I am very fortunate to have been able to surround myself with a lot of great people who want to grow and operate under our company philosophy. We get a lot of customer feedback through reviews and customer surveys. They make me proud because the feedback we get shows me that our heads and our hearts are in the right place with our business,” said Burton.

I.G. Burton and Company Inc. is one of fewer than 40 dealerships in the United States to receive the Century Award from the NADA for being in the retail transportation business for at least 100 continuous years. The company offers nearly 2,000 vehicles at any given time featuring new Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Fiat, Promaster, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Sprinter, Blue Bird Bus and pre-owned vehicles. For more information, go to www.igburton.com.