Seizing the future

Weldstar's warehouse in Logansport, Ind.

Weldstar's headquarters in Aurora, Ill.

Weldstar Inc.'s executives, (from left to right) Joseph, Matthew, John W., father of the other three, and John B. Winkle.

Warehouse, customer service and dock facilities at headquarters in Aurora, Ill.

No one would accuse Weldstar Inc. (www.weldstar.com) of being unconcerned about the future, although Joseph V. Winkle, vice president of finance, says the company does not focus on a five-or 10-year business plan but looks at what it can do today while keeping an eye on the economy and the industry, and adjusting its business plan when it needs to.

While that may sound like a short-term outlook, the privately-owned, independent distributor of industrial and specialty gases, welding equipment, safety supplies, and related tools and accessories has an internal culture that gives it the ability to seize and determine its future. The strategy and vision that drives Weldstar has it living in and contributing to the present, but acting with the knowledge that each day is a threshold to its future.

The Aurora, Ill.-based Weldstar began in 1936 as James F. Patterson Co., a supplierof oxygen, acetylene and dry ice to the agricultural industry, and gradually gravitated toward the welding and industrial market. It was acquired by James Shennan in the late 1960s, and Shennan hired John W. Winkle to lead sales and operations.

Winkle later acquired the company and became president and chief executive officer. He brought his sons, John B., Joseph and Matthew, into the business. In his 36 years with the company, John W. always put a premium on good employees, according to Matt Winkle, director of marketing and part-owner.

"We invest in a person and his/her family through health and life insurance, the 'Good Grades' program, and in his/her future through separate pension and 401(k) programs," Joe Winkle explains.

Investing in students
The "Good Grades" program rewards employees' children who achieve "A" or a "B" grade average in school on a semester basis. Fourth, fifth and sixth graders get $50 for a "B" average and $100 for straight "As"; junior high students get $75 or $150; and high school students get $100 or $200. The company sees this program as an investment in the present and in the future for itself and its community.

Just as it is investing in primary education for itself and its community, Weldstar is investing in workforce development.

The company provides contributions to an organization called Seize the Future, a partnership formed between public and private enterprises in Aurora, Ill., that aims to position the community for the future. The organization invests in workforce development and community infrastructure, and markets and promotes the city in an effort to attract new businesses and retain existing businesses.

Weldstar pledged $50,000 of new equipment and supplies to the Waubonsee Community College welding lab located at East Aurora High School as part of its support for the organization, and already has provided $15,000 in equipment to the welding lab as a part of that pledge.

According to Joe, the company sees such investments as ways to ensure that it and its community will thrive.

Back at the company, Weldstar also invests in employee training and retention to maintain its ability to live and grow.

In-house welding school
Weldstar has established a 12-step, hands-on training process for its sales force that is taught in its demonstration welding shop. The course is taught by the company's experienced salesmen, and includes the individual operation and safety aspects of welding processes, and gas safety and regulation. Throughout their careers at Weldstar, its 19 salespeople are required to attend several manufacturers' welding programs each year.

"We are not the type of company that goes out and looks for highly qualified people, hires them and tells them to go out and do a job. We look for motivated, educated people who want to work. We are willing to teach and train them," Joe says.

An employee's average length of service is 12 years and the average tenure for technical representatives is more than 14 years. This experience, combined with continuous training, helps the company to serve its customers and grow, he says.

Growth, but not for growth's sake
Besides its facilities in Aurora, where it has its headquarters and a nine-year-old specialty gas plant, Weldstar has operations in University Park, Ill., managed by Tim Shanahan, and Logansport, Ind., managed by John B., vice president. Weldstar does not have current plans to expand, but it is always looking for opportunities, Joe says, adding, "We do not feel that a scratch start is the way to enter a new market. We would welcome opportunities to acquire an independent distributor built around the same core values as Weldstar."

"To expand, you need to have good people, and good people are most likely already in place with another distributor. We would welcome the opportunity to explore a buy or sell agreement with an owner who wants to leave (such a) company and its people with an organization built on similar values," says Joe.