Bilco celebrates 30 years in Trumann

George W. Lyons would be very proud of the Bilco Company's plant in Trumann if he were around to see it today.

The facility, which opened in 1979, was 1,200 miles away from the parent company in West Haven, Conn.

The plant at the time was in an old 6,000 square foot John Deere repair shop.

But the company knew that by locating a manufacturing site in Trumann that they would have a good workforce to draw from who were honest, loyal, disciplined and dedicated -- all of the values Lyons admired.

Thirty years and several expansions later, the Trumann manufacturing facility is still operating based on those core values.

"It was a combination of excellent management, a skilled workforce with a strong ethic, a welcoming town government who could not do enough to get us started and help us expand since then, coupled with those values my grandfather admired -- all combined for a recipe of success," said Bilco president and CEO Bob Lyons. "And indeed, the Trumann operation is a remarkable success story.

"If my grandfather were alive today, he would be very, very proud to stand before this group today on this very special occasion."

Bilco company officials paid a visit to the plant last Friday to help celebrate 30 years in Trumann.

Current and former employees were treated to lunch as company officials thanked them for their hard work to make the plant a continued success.

"You have all made this celebration possible," said Tom Goetter, VP of operations. "Your commitment, your dedication, your loyalty, your knowledge, your hard work have helped the Bilco Company and given them the strength and ability to flourish and grow for over 30 years."

Lyons founded the Builders Iron Company -- shortened to Bilco - in 1926 . The company manufactures roof and floor access doors for commercial buildings and sidewalk doors.

The company has added on to the facility three times since it began business in Trumann. Today it occupies 80,000 square feet and employs 92 workers.

Charlie Katz, who managed the plant when it opened, said he used to joke that his hands were sore from pulling wires down in the early days when they first moved in to the building.

The company only made side walk doors when they first came to Trumann.

"It was an antiquated building that we started out with," Katz said. "We pulled more wires to get rid of the junk than you can believe. So when I come in here and see the plant the way it is, it's unbelievable."

Katz said the plant never would have succeeded had it not been for the excellent workers - some of which are now second and third generation Bilco employees.

"It's a great facility," Katz said. "It's the values here. They are willing to learn. They are willing to teach. I didn't have to go too far to get good help. They have a work ethic like you wouldn't believe."

Today the Trumann manufacturing facility accounts for about 40 percent of the company's total production.

Lyons said Bilco has been fortunate to have good managers in Trumann.

The plant has embraced lean manufacturing techniques and has transformed the way products are processed.

Though orders are down due to the economy and slowdown in commercial building, Lyons said the Trumann plant is in great shape to weather the recession and continue its track record of success.

"All of these efforts and what they comprise are our best defense against the economy that we face," Lyons said. "We face a challenging environment now . But we have the people, we have the tools, we have the initiatives in the lean program that is alive and well in the Trumann facility that I think are our best defense to combat the recession we face."