Lyons P&P Business

Section B

LYONS STERLING LITTLE RIVER CHASE BUSHTON ALDEN GENESEO RAYMOND FREDERICK

Business and Industry

The Lyons news RICe CoUnTy

Progressand

PlainsJanuary 31, 2012

2B Tuesday, January 31, 2012 Business & industry Lyons News • Plains & Progress

Temp-Aire Inc.

Serving Lyons and Rice County Customers for the past 39 years

214 E. Ave. NorthLyons, Kansas

1-888-257-3221620-257-3221

24-Hour EmErgEncy SErvicES

Ventilation•IceMachines•HotTubs/SPAs•ServiceAllMakes•SheetMetalFabrication•Heating/AirConditioning•CommercialRefrigeration•HomeAirPurificationSystems•

Ventilation•IceMachines•HotTubs/SPAs•ServiceAllMakes•SheetMetalFabrication•Heating/AirConditioning•CommercialRefrigeration•HomeAirPurificationSystems•

Equipment Rental Services

214 E. Ave. North

Equipment Rental Services

Rent a Tool That Is Good Enough That You

Would Be Proud To Call It Your OwnLyons, KS • 257-3221Tools For Every Home, Lawn and Commercial Project

Equipment Rental

Services

Rent a Tool That Is Good Enough That You Would Be

Proud To Call It Your Own

Tools For Every Home, Lawn and Commercial Project

214 E. Ave. NorthLyons, KS257-3221

• Ventilation• Ice Machines• Water Heaters• Service All Makes• Sheet Metal Fabrication• Heating/Air Conditioning• Commercial Refrigeration• Full Line Plumbing Service• Home Air Purification Systems

Temp-Aire Rentals is located at 214 E. Ave North in Lyons. They rent power equipment, lawn and garden equipment, trailers and many oth-er items.

Temp-Aire Inc., 214 E. Ave North, in Lyons, specializes in heating, air conditioning, refrig-eration and electrical work. They are special-ists in residential and commercial electrical applications. They sell and service hot water heaters, and on demand hot water systems.

At Temp-Aire, "We put service first," is not just a slogan. It is the manner in which they conduct their business. They believe in the

products they sell, because they have to service them.

They offer a full line of products from Lennox® as well as Carrier®, with many items in stock ready to install.

The company also offers complete residen-tial and commercial above and below ground plumbing service. That is one area of the busi-ness that co-owner Ben Timberlake said they want to emphasize in

2012. They have years of experience in the plumbing business and they just want local res-idents to be reminded of that.

The folks at Temp-Aire also specialize in sales and service of ventilation equipment, commercial refrigera-tion, and home purifica-tion systems. They do sheet metal fabrication and sell and service ice machines. Their state of the art plasma cutting machine for sheet metal,

allows them to turn digital images into three dimen-sional prod-ucts for ven-tilation appli-cation.

In 2008 the o w n e r s , Rollie and B e n Timberlake, father and son, started an equipment rental busi-ness. They specialize in the rental of construction equipment , lawn equip-ment, appli-ances, and other popular rental materi-als during the spring. Over

the years their rental yard has grown to include all types of power equipment from power washers, to saws, routers, sanders, and small tractors and spe-cialty implements and trailers. The rental busi-ness fills a real need in Lyons and Rice County.

They are also now a dea l e r fo r Grassphopper® lawn mowers. Offering sales,

service and rentals for that equipment from their rental store loca-tion.

Temp-Aire Inc. was launched in 1973 by the late Luke Meis. In 1981, Rollie and Brenda Timberlake moved from Hutchinson to join Meis in the business.

Their son, Ben Timberlake, grew up in the business. He returned to Lyons in 2002 after graduating from Emporia State University with a busi-ness degree and has been an active part of the Temp-Aire team working in all phases of sales and management

since.The company

employees eight full-time employees and also seasonal part-time employees. They ser-vice customers through-out Rice County and in adjoining counties as well.

The crew at Temp-Aire Inc. has the exper-tise to service all makes. They also offer a 24-hour emergency ser-vice for their custom-ers.

Store hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For information, call (620) 257-3221.

Temp-Aire Inc. of Lyons is now a full line sales and service dealer for Grasshopper® mowers.

The Lyons Town & Country Club

Est. 1924

Experience “The Club” Today.....

• 9-Hole Challenging Links Course• Great Short Game Area• Large Practice Putting Green• Friendly Staff• Close Proximity to City Pool

MembershipEntitlements

* Unlimited Play• Pro Shop• Cart Rental• USGA Handicap Services• Resaurant & Bar• Sunday Brunches

Golfing Memberships

AvailableCart Storage

AvailableSocial

Memberships Available

Call For Tee Times

Our Club Will Fit You To A Tee!

Membership Specials Are Available For

New Members!For More

Information Call 257-2962

KIWANIS CLUB of

LYONS, KANSASServing the Children of Lyons and Rice County

Since 1935Local Activities & Projects

Builders ClubWhen middle school and junior high students began to show interest in

organizing to serve their schools and communities, the Builders Club program was launched in 1975. The Builders Club network has grown to include more

than 1198 clubs and nearly 40,000 members in 10 nations.

The Lyons Middle School Builders Club was established in 1994 and has over 30 members.

Contact: Contact: Linda Keller Rollie Timberlake221 E. Washington PO Box 555Lyons, KS 67554 Lyons, KS [email protected] 620-257-3889620-257-3389

Kiwanis International is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one

community at a time.

Owner of Boy Scout Cabin, Donate to School Nurse,

Scholarship for Lyons High School Senior, Good Friday Prayer Breakfast, Concession

Stand at Little League Baseball, Concession Stand at Battershell Baseball

Field, Contracts for Flag Displays on Patriotic Holidays,

Support Project Prom, United Way Participant, Immunization

Magnets for Health Department, Maintain Buffalo Bill’s Well,

Participate in Veteran’s Day Parade,

Participate in Trick or Treat on the trails, Support Kansas Kiwanis Foundation,

Support Kiwanis International Foundation,

Support Regional Baseball Tournament, Help at Chili Feed for Bell

& Star Lighting, Serve Food at Pack the House

Wrestling Event, Children’s Miracle Network, Community

Shred Day Co-sponsor, Participate in Rice County Health Fair,

Sponsor For Kids’ Safety Camp

Lyons news • PLains & Progress Business & industry tuesday, January 31, 2012 3B

It’s Better Here.

6 2 0 - 2 5 7 - 5 5 0 0904 W Main St ▪ LYONS ▪ KS 67554

Putting PeoPle at the toP of their list

Wendy’s employees take personal interest in the people they serve

Omar Pando, center, general manager of Wendy’s in Lyons, discusses the day’s service promises with Zach Kintigh and Angela Martinez.(Photos by LouAnn Cobb)

By LouAnn CoBB

It’s 9 a.m. at Wendy’s in Lyons and members of the “coffee group, ” approximately 10 to 12, are starting to arrive. Their cups are lined up on the front counter: “one coffee with three ice cubes please”; several regulars and decafs, “hold the lid on a couple”; hot tea and ice tea. Employees have pre-pared a special place for them at the back of the fast food res-taurant. They’ll sit for a while and we’ll see them back again at 3 p.m., said Omar Pando, general manager of the Lyons Wendy’s franchise. “We’re ready for them,” said Pando. “It’s our way of providing good customer service.”

These days Pando is making his list and checking it twice, ap-proaching each day the Dave Thomas way.

Thanks to the My Wendy’s Huddles pro-gram, this business is making a difference, one customer at a time. Managers and crew-members meet at the beginning of each shift to discuss the service promise of the day: Greet Every Customer; Be Friendly, Show Pride, Say Yes We Can!, Make ‘em Happy, and Say Thank You.

The primary purpose of Huddles is to get all team members engaged and par-ticipating. It is an opportunity for managers to teach, zone in on key focus areas, and to motivate and instill a sense of urgency to each crewmember on what they can do to im-prove the customer experience. The Huddles program is non-threatening and employees are encouraged to participate or offer suggestions. Managers challenge them to set a person-al goal for the day and commit to carrying out that challenge.

Today’s focus was on

giving a genuine greeting. Not every greeting has to be the same. Members learned how to express greetings that are genuine, upbeat, friendly and personalized.

“Huddles is working,” Pando said. “Employees were a bit shy when we first started the program but after a couple of weeks they warmed up.”

After recently complet-ing his first year as general manger, he has seen an in-crease in sales and customer count. More families are eating at night and com-plaints are at a minimum.

“Our employee loyalty

is up,” said Pando. “Out of ten employees who received “Employee of the Month” recognition this year, nine are still employed here.”

Pando gives a big grin. That makes me happy, he said, because I know my people are committed to their jobs and en-joy working here at Wendy’s.

Quick service restaurants are very competitive, said Al Copp, Sr. Vice President of 12 Wendy’s franchises located in Kansas, Lincoln, Neb., and Percival, Iowa. This business is not made for just anybody. Individuals who take it on have to go above and beyond what one would normally ex-

pect in order to achieve excellence. It takes a special person to be able to work with differ-ent nation-alities and age groups. Finding that balance and being creative is key. Ac-knowledging family support members, remember-ing birthdays, anniversaries

and knowing employees hobbies, they are all impor-tant compo-nents in being successful.

“Take a per-sonal interest in the people that are em-ployed in your organization or company,” Copp said.

When Copp makes spot visits to the stores in his

area, he not only talks to the manag-ers but to each individual crewmember as well.

“Everyone’s impor-tant,” Copp said. “Whether it’s making sandwiches, cooking on the grill or sweeping the floor. I don’t want people to lose focus on how ‘good’ common people are because it’s those people who rise up the ranks and become managers someday.”

Employees make the dif-ference, Copp said, whether they’re young high school kids or single moms. With Huddles, they learn how to become their own self-mo-tivator by developing their

own word-thought processes.“Greeting employees by

name when they arrive each day and showing respect for the entire team can have a tremendous impact on per-formance and productivity in any business” Copp said.

“This isn’t about the money,” he said “It’s about the people. Knowledge is power. The more they know, the more they are worth. Employees aren’t going to quit if they have five stars on their hat.”

The late Dave Thomas never thought of himself as anything more than a regular guy who cooked hamburg-ers. He was successful be-cause he cared about people

and took care of his own.“Dave knew the operation

well,” said Copp. “With Dave, it wasn’t how much of a big shot you were. It was what you did in life, giving back to the community. As long as people focus on their communities, treat customers right and try to do the right thing, using a plat-inum principal-type approach to business, they will succeed. There is no question about it.”

And that’s just what Pando and his employees are do-ing. Community nights to help raise money for the local library, Sterling Col-lege and Friends of Animals are just a few ways this lo-cal franchise gives back.

“I want my restaurant to be the best fast-food restau-rant in town,” Pando said. “If we help the community they will help us. We still have things to do to improve our speed and accuracy.

We care about all our customers, like Ed, another regular, who just pulled up out front. An employee is already at the door wait-ing to help him in.

“We know what Ed wants and we always have it ready for him,” Pando said. “We all need to learn how to give back without thinking we’re going to get something in return, putting people first, the Dave Thomas Way.”

Zach Kintigh is proud of his job as a Wendy’s employee.


By Paul Jones Let it snow, let it

snow, let it snow!!If not out loud, that’s a song

personnel at Lyons Salt Company are singing silently this winter, as not only the local company, but salt companies throughout the na-tion are experiencing much milder than usual weather conditions.

Lyons Salt, a part of Central Salt and a division of BSC Hold-ing headquartered in Kansas City, had a record fiscal year from April 2010 through March 2011 thanks to good winter snowstorms, and an especially busy February 2011. The company experienced very good traffic late last summer and into the fall, as costumers built up supplies for the two main purposes, bulk salt for countering winter road conditions, and packaged salt for

small commercial and residential application. Last week’s snow in the northern part of the country had not caused any considerable increase in business last week, but Nathan Steele, general manager, expected some later activity as customers replaced stocks. Lyons Salt is ready and hopeful for the remaining couple of months of winter, with the large white tent, or barn, about 90 percent full of road salt, and large quantities of pack-aged salt on hand in storage at the old foundry building on the east edge of Lyons, and along American Road southeast of Lyons High.

Because of the large inventories on hand, the company has reduced its temporary personnel pool, and has reduced its mining operations from three shifts to two, five days a week. The persons on the third shift

were not laid off; rather, they are still on the payroll working at vari-ous projects such as maintenance.

A huge underground bulkhead, to be constructed to contain water which is flowing into an old mined-out section, will get under way next month, and should be completed by late spring. The underground work preparing for the pouring of 14,000 cubic yards of concrete is virtually complete, and after a December test pour identified some issues, another test pour was made last week, to make certain the issues had been addressed and remedied.

The list of projects for 2012 is still being analyzed and compiled, but several new personnel programs have been initiated. One awards “Safety Bucks” to employees who have demonstrated exceptional safety acts; another will iden-

tify each month a “Most Valuable Person” who has performed his or her job beyond expectations.

Safety continues to be a major emphasis for the company, and at a recent Christmas gathering of personnel, Steele noted the plant has gone more than a year without a lost-time injury., a streak that now exceeds 200,000 man hours of work. Emphasis on safety in recent months has included build-ing snow shelters above the white barn entrances; placement of se-vere storm shelters, which have already been used as precautions on two occasions, and installing a silencer on the mine ventilation fan to reduce noise and eliminate need for ear plugs or other de-vices to prevent hearing loss.

Although mild winter hAs reduced immediAte sAlt demAnd

Lyons Salt operation looks toward bulkhead project and continued safety emphasis in 2012

S.H.E. ShoppeThe

Visit our On-line Store atwww.sheshoppe.com

124 E. Ave SouthLyons, KS

(620) 257-2282877-457-2282

email - [email protected] Wiens - Owner

S.H.E. ShoppeThe



(620) 257-2282877-457-2282


S.H.E. ShoppeThe



(620) 257-2282877-457-2282


By Judy Jones

As it begins its 36th year on the east side of the square in Lyons on Feb. 1, The S.H.E. Shoppe con-tinues business six days a week, despite the unexpected death of founder Phyllis Wiens in October.

The store got its name from the three lines Wiens sold at statewide home parties. The S. stood for Swipe, a cleaning product; Symbra’ette, a custom fitted bra; and Sandak, a line of sandals; while the H. represented home care products made from Aloe Vera. The E. was for everything else, which includes most gift items in the store.

Today Phyllis’ husband, Lo-ren, continues the ownership with the assistance of his daugh-ter, Manager Jacque Wiens.

“Her customers wanted her to open a store that was centrally located, and she opened it with three suit-cases full of products, after buying a building that was once the home of a men’s clothing store.” Jacque said.

Jacque has just returned from market in Dallas and is excited by new lines to be offered in the store, includ-ing some “bling and glitz” additions to the store’s jewelry line, items for outdoor patios, scented items, home items, and even money soaps contain-ing real currency. There are also new items for the store’s baby department.

Other new lines will be offered

as well as items featured for many years — collectables such as Gnomes, Pipka, Willow Tree, and Boyd Bears.

Jacque said her mother led an active and interesting life — put-ting herself through high school and college, serving as a Harvey Girl (waitress) at the Bisonte Hotel res-taurant that was located next to the railroad depot in Hutchinson, serv-ing in the military during World War II, traveling the state giving home demonstrations for new products, and later opening the store on the east side of the square for area residents.

The S.H.E. Shoppe continues to grow steadily via the Internet and a multitude of worldwide ac-quaintances. The web site is www.sheshoppe.com; the email address is [email protected].

The store’s motto remains the same — “Large enough to serve you, small enough to know you. On the grow for you.” Phyllis always said, “If you have seen it somewhere else, we don’t need it. We strive to be different.”

“We have this store for Lyons and Rice County,” Jacque said. “We need businesses to keep up the health and quality of the town and we look forward to the sup-port we have always received.”

The S.H.E. Shoppe is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

S.H.E. Shoppe begins 36th year

Home mart Store

785-871-7868

cardS - giftS - clotHing - jewelry - decor - HouSeHold - pet productS electronicS - SportS goodS - wedding dreSS - toyS - mucH mucH more

620-509-7878120 W. Commercial Lyons, Kansas 67554

HoursTues. ~ Sun.2 - 8:30pm

Closed Monday

Beauty Supplies

AccessoriesHousehold Supplies

Home Mart offers everydayproducts at affordable prices

Since October 2010 Home Mart general store has occupied the oldHogan Pharmacy building on the SW corner of the square.

By louann CoiBB Jayman and Crystal

Zhu of Lyons opened the doors to Empire China in December of 2008. The couple made the decision to move to Lyons in June of 2008 because they liked the town and thought it would be a good place to open a business.

They secured a loca-tion, making an agree-ment with the owner to rent the space, fur-niture and equipment needed to open the Chinese Restaurant.

In October 2010 the couple purchased the Hogan Pharmacy build-ing on the southwest corner of the square. Their first intention was to move the restaurant to that location. There was more space and they felt the location would attract new business.

Zhu said they later

learned the equipment and furniture would not be a part of the package. With this unexpected development, there was not enough money left from the purchase of the new building to make the repairs that needed to be done to the new location. On top of that they had to find a way to replace the equip-ment and the furniture.

With the help of Zhu’s sister, Jasmine they made a decision to turn the space into a con-venience store, a place where people could shop for everyday items at more affordable prices.

“We have lots of good items,” Jaymen said. “We are always adding more to give people more choices.”

Zhu said trying to manage two businesses and care for their young daughter, Jaycee, is hard

work. The days are long. Life isn’t always fair, Zhu said, but Crystal and I are doing what we can to make it work. We will continue to try harder.

“A lot of people don’t know we are here,” Zhu said. “We want the people to know we offer a big variety of everyday products they can use that include fashion jewelry, make up, electronics, household items, clean-ing supplies, paper goods, assorted cards for under $1 each, clothing, station-ary, party goods, fashion purses, collectible items, shoes and much more.

Zhu said they are currently looking at ways to make their store more people friendly and inviting. We appreciate all the people who are supporting Homemart. We hope people who haven’t been in will stop by and check it out.


Part of Progress InRice County for More

Than 90 years

• Road Salt• Feed Salt

• Rock Salt• Excellent Safety

Lyons Salt Company1600 Ave. N 620-257-5626 Lyons, KS

Proud To Be A Part of Lyons and Rice County,Since 1917 Lyons Salt Has Been Producing Salt and Rock Salt For

Consumers Around The Country. For The Past 50 Years We’ve Been AMajor Provider of The Road Salt That Keeps Motorists Safe When

Winter and The Frozen Precipitation That Follows, Covers The Roads.

We’re Proud To Be A Part of Lyons and Rice County. Since 1917 Lyons Salt Has Been Producing Salt, Rock Salt, and Feed Salt For Consumers

Around The Country. For The Past 50 Years We’ve Been A Major Provider of The Road Salt That Keeps Motorists Safe When Winter

and The Frozen Precipitation That Follows Covers The Roads.

1660 Ave. N. 620-257-5626 Lyons, KS

6B Tuesday, January 31, 2012 Business & Industry Lyons News • Plains & Progress Lyons news • PLains & Progress Business & industry tuesday, January 31, 2012 7B

Is anything going on in Lyons and Rice County? Just take a look!

A Great Community With A Long and Great HistoryNOW Is A Great Time To Live In Lyons, Kansas

Easter Egg Hunt on

the Square April 7th

Lighted Christmas

Parade Dec. 1st

Working Women’s Luncheon April 25th

Fair On The SquareSeptember 22ndCity Wide Garage

Sale June 2nd

Cars in the ParkSeptember 22nd

Legislative Forum

Feb. 11 • March 10

Annual Fish FryApril 14th

Annual MeetingFebruary 2nd

Holiday Open Houses Dec. TBA

2012 ChAMber boArd oF direCtors email: [email protected] website: www.lyons-chamber.com

Phone us at: 620-257-2842 or 866-257-2842 e Fax: 620-257-3426116 East Avenue South e PO Box 127 e Lyons, KS 67554

Donetta Birzer - Lyons State BankShane Edwards -Lyons Federal BankScott Winter - Lyons Federal BankPat Fulton - Edward Jones

Lyons Chamber of Commerce

Adam, Beran, Brown & BallDr. Stan and Elda BettinBirzer Funeral HomeBolen Office Supply

Boroughs Oil Co.B.Z. Bee, Inc.Cal-Maine of Kansas Culligan Water Dairy Queen Brazier

David Retail LiquorD&J Country FloralEl-Dee GrandeFarmer’s Co-opFirst Bank

Dr. Rex W. GibsonHairtendersDr. Kent HansonHospital District #1 of Rice Co.

Johnson Retail LiquorJones Oil CompanyLyons NewsLyons Federal BankLyons Foodliner

Lyons State BankMid America Redi MixMike's TV, Furniture and ApplianceMinix Realty and Travel

Dr. Lee & Patti NormanRice County Aerial SprayersRickabaugh Motor Co.Sauer’s Body ShopS.H.E. Shoppe

Sonic Drive InTown West StorageV. J. Imel, C.P.A, L.L.C.Wendy’s HamburgersWoydziak Hardware

Lyons Chamber of CommerceThe Lyons Chamber of Commerce is an organization for the purpose of promoting economic growth and enhancing the quality of life for Lyons and its surrounding communities.

Back To School bbQ • August tbA

Pat Fulton - Edward JonesShane Edwards - Lyons Federal BankScott Winter - Lyons Federal BankLee Norman - Norman Chiropractic Wellness CtrKirk Kahler - Birzer Funeral Home

DeDra Hunt - Lyons Auto Supply Ron DeVore - First Christian ChurchMatt Burroughs Rhonda DonahueShannon Young-Director

Rice County Events for 2012

Saturday, January 28, 2012CPRA Timed Event Rodeo - Bar K Bar ArenaMonday, January 30, 2012Kansas Day Speaker, Dr. Thomas Prasch“Beyond the Yellow Brick Road; Kansas

on the Silver Screen” -Celebration Centre

All of FebruaryKansas Heritage Exhibit - Coro-

nado Quivira Museum“From Rice County to Hollywood:

Mary Astor and Shirley Knight”

Thursday, February 2, 2012Lyons/Little River Chamber of Com-

merce’s Annual Meeting Craig MacFar-lane, Speaker- Celebration Centre

Thursday, February 7, 20124D Jackpot Barrel Racing- Bar K Bar Arena

Saturday, February 11, 2012CPRA Timed Event Rodeo, Team

Roping - Bar K Bar Arena

Saturday, February 18, 2012Gorman Memorial Rand Ro-

deo- Bar K Bar Arena

Tuesday, February 21, 20124D Jackpot Barrel Racing - Bar K Bar ArenaCelebration Dance - Celebration CentreWednesday, February 29, 2012Rice County Storm Spot-

ters - Celebration Centre

Tuesday, March 6, 20124D Jackpot Barrel Racing- Bar K Bar Arena

Saturday, March 10, 2012Kansas Heritage Exhibit Clos-

es- Coronado Quivira

Tuesday, March 10, 20124D Jackpot Barrel Racing- Bar K Bar ArenaCelebration Dance- Celebration Centre

Friday, March 23, 2012Mike Beers Team Roping- Bar K Bar Arena

Saturday, March 24-27, 2012Mike Beers Team Roping- Bar K Bar Arena

Tuesday, April 3, 2012“Take me out to the Ballgame” exhib-

it opens- Coronado Quivira Museum

Saturday, April 7, 2012Easter Egg Hunt - Lyons Chamber

Tuesday, April 10, 20124D Jackpot Barrel Racing - Bar K Bar Arena

Saturday, April 14-15, 2012KSHA All Breed Horse

Show - Bar K Bar Arena

Saturday, April 14, 2012Fish Fry - Lyons Chamber

Tuesday, April 17, 2012Celebration Dance- Celebration Centre

Saturday, April 21-22, 2012KsFQHRA Horse Show- Bar K Bar Arena

Tuesday, April 24, 2012 4D Jackpot Barrel Racing- Bar K Bar Arena

Wednesday, April 25, 2012Working Women’s Lun-

cheon- Celebration Centre

Saturday, April 28, 2012Swing Dance and Dinner- Celebration Centre

Thursday, May 3- Thursday, August 30, 2012

Farmers Market- Celebration Centre

Saturday, May 5, 2012Vintage Baseball Game- Coro-

nado Quivira Museum, Kansas Paint Horse Show - Bar K Bar Arena

Sunday, May 6, 2012Kansas Paint Horse Show - Bar K Bar

Saturday, May 12, 2012KCBS Bar-B-Que Cook-

Off- Celebration Centre

Tuesday, May 15, 2012Celebration Dance- Celebration Centre

Friday, May 18 -20, 2012Am Miniture Horse Show- Bar K Bar Arena

Saturday, May 26, 2012Pinto Horse Show- Bar K Bar Arena

Sunday, May 27, 2012KSHA, All Breed Horse Show

Saturday, June 2-3, 2012County Wide Garage Sale -Rice

County, Cutting Bar K Bar Arena

Saturday, June 9-10, 2012KsAPhc/KSHC show- Bar K Bar Arena

Saturday, June 16-17, 2012KsFQHRA Show- Bar K Bar Arena

Tuesday, June 19, 2012Celebration Dance- Celebration Centre

Saturday, June 23-24, 2012SCSHA Show- Bar K Bar Arena

Wednesday, July 4, 2012Old Fashion 4th of July - Sterling

Friday, July 6-8, 2012KSHA All Breed Show- Bar K Bar Arena

Friday, July 13-19, 2012Rice County 4-H Fair-Bar K Bar Arena

Tuesday, August 21, 2012Celebration Dance- Celebration Centre

Saturday, August 25-26, 2012Ks Paint Horse Show - Bar K BarMonday, September 3, 2012Labor Day Parade- Raymond

September 9- October 21Smithsonian Institute Exhibit “The Way

We Worked” - Coronado Museum

Tuesday, September 18, 2012Celebration Dance- Celebration Centre

Saturday, September 22, 2012Fair on the Square- Courthouse Square,

Cars in the Park- Workman Park

Saturday, September 29-30, 2012KS Cowboy Mounted Shooting Associa-

tion State Championships- Bar K Bar Arena

Tuesday, October 16, 2012Celebration Dance - Celebration Centre

Friday, October 26-28, 2012Hangin’ Tree Cowdog Assoc.- Bar K Bar Arena

Wednesday, October 31, 2012Trick or Treat on the Trails- RCCF Nature Trail

Friday, November 2-4, 2012Cowgirl Tuff Barrel Bash- Bar K Bar Arena

Saturday, November 10, 2012Veteran’s Day parade

Tuesday, November 20, 2012Celebration Dance- Celebration Centre

Saturday, Dec 1, 2012Christmas Bazaar, Christmas Festival- Cel-

ebration Centre, Lighted Christmas Parade

Tuesday, December 18, 2012Celebration Dance- Celebration Centre

Monday, December 31, 2012 New Years Eve Dance, Celebration Centre


Midwest Energy is a Cooperative...Why Does It Matter?

We Put Customers First!At Midwest Energy, one priority rings through

loud and clear – you, our customer-owner, come first!Day in and day out, the men and women at MidwestEnergy work hard to represent your interests.

Cooperatives are “of, by and for” the people theyrepresent. Being a customer-owner of MidwestEnergy means you, along with your neighbors, ownthe company and have a voice in the decisions madeon your behalf. And that is a fundamental differencebetween your local cooperative and other energyproviders.

There is no question that the energy industry ischanging. The collapse of Enron and the power crisisin California and other parts of the country a fewyears ago certainly highlighted the problems custom-ers can face when they do not have a locally basedadvocate working on their behalf in a changing energymarketplace.

Let’s face it. Most folks don’t have the time orinterest to get too involved in the details of providingsafe, reliable energy. Most are too busy with theirown jobs or families to have the time to focus on theseissues. So that’s where Midwest Energy comes in. Ourjob is to be your advocate – to put you first – as wework in the energy industry on your behalf.

Our vision for the future is one that puts you first- above all other priorities. This has been the commit-ment of cooperatives for six decades and it remains sotoday.

“A Customer-Owned Cooperative...Making Energy Work For You.”

One call can fix it all!

Walton Plumbing& Heating, Inc.

ElEctrical MEchanical contractor

More Than 25 Years ExperienceScott Walton - Owner/Operator

Phone: 620-278-3462 Fax: 620-278-3463

• Heating • Air Conditioning • Plumbing • Electrical

• Geo-Thermal Heat Pumps • Septic Systems • Lagoons

• Dirt Work

116 E. Main • Sterling, KS 67579

Midwest Energy, Inc. is a customer-owned en-ergy company. Midwest Energy has repeatedly achieved greater econo-mies of scale, benefiting its members through low and stable rates. The company has been en-riched by employees with a broad range of experi-ence in many predecessor companies. Our employ-ees have become versa-tile and highly skilled. Midwest Energy has crossed the boundaries most would have drawn around a small rural electric cooperative. As

the Company has grown, it has brought the values of member-ownership to tens of thousands of cus-tomers who had no voice.

From small, early steps to provide rural customers with afford-able, reliable electric power, Midwest Energy has moved to broaden the services it provides and promote the development of western and central Kansas. With a growth-oriented, entrepreneurial outlook, Midwest Energy has thrived in a challeng-ing environment. These achievements were driven

by some special people, the General Managers, board members and em-ployees who have been and are Midwest Energy.

The history of Mid-west Energy all began when Central Kansas Electric Cooperative (CKEC) was incorporated in 1939. Its mission was to provide electric service to customers in the rural areas surrounding Great Bend, Kansas. W.J. Groh managed the cooperative from 1940 to 1951. Mr. Groh worked with nine board members. From its earliest days, CKEC

focused on growth, in-novation and tenacity to provide good service and affordable prices to rural customers. Economies of scale began to take hold during World War II. The company purchased The Utility Service Company (USC), of Hoisington, Kansas on February 25, 1944. USC, a private entity, had obtained the first REA loan in Kansas on July 1, 1937. Interest-ingly, USC would not connect rural customers until they had an electric water heater, range and refrigerator. For several years thereafter, custom-ers on the former USC lines consumed consider-ably more electricity than other customers. Other early acquisitions includ-ed Cities Power Com-pany in the Hanston and Kinsley, Kansas areas, parts of Kansas Power Company northwest of Great Bend, Kansas, and portions of rural proper-ties operated by the towns of Ellinwood, Seward, LaCrosse and Hois-ington, Kansas. These acquisitions set the small coop apart from others throughout the country.

In 1951 Jack Good-man was named Man-ager, and served the cooperative until 1992. Mr. Goodman was born in Topeka and was a 1943 Graduate of King’s Col-lege/London University in London, England with a degree in civil engineer-ing. He spent two years in the Army before return-ing to Topeka to work for Flora Engineering. In 1946 he was named General Manager of Leavenworth-Jefferson Rural Electric Coopera-tive in McLouth, Kansas, working there until he joined Central Kansas Electric Cooperative.

In 1952, Lavern Becker was elected to the Board of Directors. Mr. Becker’s election was a milestone in the company history. Mr. Becker was a successful and widely respected farmer stock-man and oilman. He and Mr. Goodman used their diverse business expertise to build a shared vision for CKEC, of efficient operation, expanding the customer base and expanding the services provided customers.

CKEC paid rigorous attention to cost control. As an example, for many years its service trucks were painted yellow like the trucks of almost all other Kansas elec-tric cooperatives. But in the 1970’s, an astute operations superinten-dent changed the trucks to white (as Midwest Energy’s are today). The reason for the differ-ence: factory-delivered vehicles were already painted white, saving the cost of a paint job.

CKEC also un-derstood the value of partnerships, and the need to periodically change the way it does busi-ness. In the early 1960’s CKEC relied on a service bureau for a variety of its data processing needs, realizing it was too small to provide such func-tions for itself. Later in the decade, CKEC as lead partner joined with three other customers to acquire ownership of the service bureau. Through the 1970’s, the partner-ship prospered. Then, to meet the increasing needs of its rapidly growing customer base, CKEC took full control of the service bureau, convert-ing it into the Information Technology department.

CKEC’s greatest ac-

complishment was the acquisition of an investor-owned utility, Central Kansas Power Company (CKP), for approximately $17.5 million. CKP had been serving customers as a subsidiary of United Telecommunications, Inc. and its predecessors since 1924 and was a successful growth story in its own right. (United Telecommunications was more commonly known as United Telephone, and today is known as Sprint Corporation.) Although a Sale Agreement was signed on October 19, 1977, the transaction did not close until Febru-ary 16, 1981. The form of closing resulted in CKEC merging into CKP, with the surviving corporation being re-named Midwest Energy.

Post acquisition there were several obstacles to overcome for the new company, including operating a natural gas di-vision (becoming only the third known cooperative in the United States to enter this business), com-bining two workforces into one efficient entity, locating and purchasing electricity for the larger customer base and mov-ing the corporate head-quarters to another city. Most significantly, the company had tripled in size. At the time of the ac-quisition, CKEC had only 7,420 customers and 62 employees, compared to the 15,580 customers and 170 employees of CKP.

The acquisition also created new opportuni-ties. Beyond the econo-mies of scale in op-eration, Midwest Energy was now large enough to attract the interest of a variety of wholesale power providers. Indeed, a driver for the acquisi-tion was the perception that CKEC’s existing provider, a forerunner of today’s investor-owned utility Aquila, was overcharging it. Today, Midwest Energy routine-ly buys electricity from at least a half dozen differ-ent suppliers to supply its 308 MW peak load.

This acquisition was only the beginning for the new company now named Midwest Energy, Inc. The company grew through a series of small acquisitions during the mid-to late 1980s. In 1986, the electric distri-bution system and gener-ators in the City of Ellis, Kansas was purchased. Four employees and 1,000 electric customers were added. Midwest Energy already provided natural gas service in Ellis. In 1988, the assets of Great Plains Electric Cooperative in Colby, Kansas, were acquired. This brought nearly 4,000 more gas custom-ers and 20 employees into the organization. Over the next 10 years, rates paid by former Great Plains customers dropped by over 40%.

Two more natural gas systems, Producers Gas Equities and Rural Gas Equities, were purchased in 1990 at a cost of $551,000. While adding only 2,000 customers and seven employees, these acquisitions nearly doubled natural gas throughput. Their pri-mary load was engine driven oil field pump-ing units that normally run 24 hours a day.

The company pur-chased another small natural gas company in 1997, serving Wilson and Dorrance, which added another 500 custom-ers. Then in April of 1998, the company purchased the Kansas natural gas distribu-tion system from KN.

The history of Midwest Energy, Inc.


[email protected] W. Commercial Lyons, Kansas

DuMond

Creative Custom Printing

Color & Black Copies•Letterhead•Envelopes •Invoices•Statements •Booklets•Calendars •Newsletter•Announcements•Invitations •Laminating•Business Cards•Carbonless Forms•Self Inking Stamps•Promotional Items •

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MTC provides state-of-the-art communicationMTC, also known

as Mutual Telephone Company was formed in January 1905 when 150 patrons gathered at Little River City Hall to organize an independent phone company. From start-ing out as a simple telephone company, MTC has evolved into one of the most state-of-the-art telecom-munications providers in our area. MTC now serves many towns in several different counties throughout

central Kansas. In fact, MTC now has a total of four store loca-tions, three of which are in Rice County located in Little River, Lyons and Sterling.

MTC can offer a wide variety of ser-vices depending on the area you live. Some of the MTC services available include broadband internet, television services, local telephone ser-vice, a wide variety of phone calling features, Nex-Tech Wireless

cellular service, com-puter repair and sales and a variety of differ-ent maintenance plans. Currently, 100 percent of MTC’s Little River customers are con-nected to a “fiber to the home” network–the most advanced telecommunications technology available in the world. Besides Little River, MTC is also in the process of laying fiber through-out the communities of Lyons and Sterling.

Fiber Optics, best known as the next generation of broad-band, is the only technology that offers virtually unlimited bandwidth. Produc-ing up to 20-30 times faster Internet speeds, this also allows us to provide you with the most advanced ser-vices today. As tech-nology advances your current equipment may become inadequate or obsolete. That’s why the “Future-Proof” aspect of the fiber net-

MTC, in Sterling since 2008, can be reached at 620-897-7730 and is located at 107 South Broadway.

MTC began in Little River in 1905. The office is located at 365 Main St. They can be reached at 620-897-6200.

MTC came to Lyons in 2007, and are now lo-cated at 125 W. Main. Call them at 620-509-2081.

(620) 257-3941 ~ 105 West Lyons, Lyons, KS 67554

Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9-5;

Closed Holidays. Admission: Adults

$2.00, Children 6-12 $1.00 FREE for Rice

County Historical Society members and Rice County residents

Coronado-Quivira Museum

The Coronado-Quivira Museum in Lyons is one of the best small museums in Kansas. Separate displays focus on early inhabitants, Spanish explorers, the Sante Fe Trail, and the coming of homesteaders and permanent settlers.

work is so incredible. The system is built to grow and accommo-date different applica-tions and programs. As a matter of fact, it can adapt to applica-tions and programs that haven’t even been created yet. Fiber Optics can do it all!

All of us at MTC are consistently and diligently research-ing the latest products and services so we can provide you with all of the same technolo-gies and services you can get in the “big city” at small town prices. Whether you need reliable Internet WAY out in the coun-try, or you’re look-ing for the latest and greatest phones and wireless plans, we’ve got you covered.

The staff and the board of MTC are also committed to the communities we serve. From sponsor-ing local sports teams, to being active in all of our local chambers, to supporting commu-nity events and local causes, we strive to grow with the com-munities we serve. You can always be sure when you call or stop by one of our offices; you’ll talk to a local person who can help you right away.

At MTC, our mis-

sion is to provide lo-cal, reliable service to our customers. Offer-ing the latest commu-nication technologies

to grow with the com-munities we serve. It is our genuine pleasure to serve you!


Rickabaugh Motors became a part of the Lyons business indus-try in 1925. The com-pany was founded by Sam Rickabaugh, the grandfather to current owner Roger Lipple-man. Rickabaugh’s has a long tradition of quality vehicle sales, service, and parts. Most important to the company is the com-mitment to customer satisfaction every day and continuing into the future.

“Our customers de-serve and receive only the best with their transporation needs,” said Lippleman. “Our staff is the greatest, the best I’ve ever had. Our existing custom-ers know that and we welcome others to try us out. You’ll like the experience.”

Rickabaugh Mo-tors meets the needs of the customers in Rice County, extending

into Reno, Barton, and McPherson counties with a staff of 13. They have also delivered ve-hicles as far away as Fla., Minn., and Calif.

In 2007, Rickabaugh expanded their inven-tory, primarily in used vehicles in all price ranges; adding an addi-tional experienced tech-nician, and increasing their parts inventory.

Lippleman gradu-ated from Lyons High School, Kansas State University and Chrysler and General Motors dealer candi-date schools. He also takes advantage, when possible, of continuing education classes in au-tomotive and business areas.

Rickabaugh Motors is open Mon-Fri., 8 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sat. 8 a.m. to 3p.m. to help clients with their transporta-tion needs. The busi-ness is located at 1001 West Main Street. The

phone number is 620-257-2382, or toll free at 888-257-2382. The company can also be found on-line at www.rickabaugh-motors.com.

At RickAbAugh MotoRs custoMeRs ARe tReAted to

Service, value and selection

Lyons news • Rice county PLains & PRogRess FebRuaRy 2008 7B

Rice County’s only A.S.E. Blue Seal Certified Collision Repair Facility.

Years of Experience & Lifetime Written Warranties.We garantee you top quality repairs!

When that fender bender happens there is someone is Rice County to call to get that vehicle repaired – Jeremy’s Paint and Body Shop, LLC.

The facility is the coun-ty’s only A.S.E. Blue Seal certified collision repair facility.

The business has grown from Jeremy Kroeker and wife, Angie, to six employ-ees since 1996. The Kroeker’s have expanded their operation once again to include a semi repair facility.

Jeremy comes by his occupation through his father who was also a body man. Kroeker graduated from Nickerson High School and Central Kansas Area Vocational Technical College.

After getting married, the couple moved to the Sterling area in 1993 and opened shop.

For repair and painting quotes call Jeremy or Kevin Hemphill, manager at 620-278-2003, Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

The shop is located at 2419 State Road 14, Sterling or one mile south of Sterling on Kansas 96/14 Highway.

Jeremy's Paint & Body Shop

Rice County collision repair

Habitat for Humanity of Rice County will celebrate its fourth birthday later this Spring. In May, 2004, a non-profit corpo-ration was established as the first step in becoming an affili-ate of Habitat International. Affiliate status was approved on October 1, 2004. It culmi-nated an intense four months of work by seven committees charged with the development of policies and procedures. A fund-raising effort resulted in the ground-breaking for the first house in the Spring of 2005. A one and one-half day blitz-build was marred by rain and volunteers struggled for two weeks to get the roof cov-

ered and the house secured. Subsequent builds proved more efficient. Later that Spring, on April 23, the Habitat Re-Store was opened in a building provided by the Lyons State Bank. Mike Hunt chaired the Re-Store Committee and continues ac-tively involved in the store. During the past three years seven homes have been con-structed – four in Lyons, two in Sterling and one in Little Riv-er. The affiliate now employs a part-time executive, Ralph Wilson, and a part-time office employee, Lisa Schneider. The support from the Rice County community has been

extraordinary. Several hous-es have been sponsored and fund-raising has progressed well. With seven houses com-pleted, cash flow from owner payments provides some of the funds needed for addition-al homes. As the owner of the mortgages, the affiliate is pro-vided some degree of financial security. The Re-Store has done well enough financially to provide for all overhead such as sala-ries, insurance and utilities. It has also contributed to each house. There is a need for new part-ner families. The affiliate has approved an aggressive build-

ing schedule for the coming year if partner families can be found. Fund-raising, of course, must continue on schedule. In four years Habitat has pro-vided good, energy efficient housing for seven families. It has added nearly a half-mil-lion dollars to the Rice County tax base. From throughout the county it has brought together dedicated volunteers working in a variety of capacities. Habitat has been a positive force in Rice County. Like any other community endeav-or, it will succeed only as long as it has the support of the community. But the first four years offer some assurance in that respect.

Habitat For Humanity

Celebrating four years of offering housing opportunities this spring

The beginning of the effort in 2005

The interior of the Re-Store today.

The last house completed and occupied.

Rice County Builders, IncMark Konen • Russell Stephenson

Chad Stephenson

Quality Construction That Measures To The Highest Standards

202 Main • Little River, KS620-897-6249 • 877-577-9002

1001 Main Street • Lyons • 620-257-2382

1-888-257-2382www.rickabaughmotors.com

MotorsRickabaugh

• Special Sale Prices• Low Monthly Payments• Little or No CASH DOWN• Top Quality Service & Parts

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87 Years

Compiled By dan newBy

Starting in the 1860s and 1870s, many newly-formed Kansas coun-ties were named for notable gov-ernment officials, railroad leaders and Civil War military officers. The latter was the case for Rice County.

Rice County History Timeline1500 to 1700—Wichita Indian

Territory; Kingdom of Quivira1541—Coronado Expedition1673—France, England,

Spain Claim Territory1700 to 1800—Kansa,

Kiowa, Comanche, Plains-Apache Indian Territory

1762—Treaty of Fontainebleau1800—Treaty of San Ildefonso;

Cheyenne, Arapaho Indian Territory 1803—The Louisiana Purchase1806—Zebulon Pike Expedition1820—Stephen Long Expedition 1821—Santa Fe Trail

used as trade route1825—U.S. Government

surveys Santa Fe Trail1843—Chavez Murder at Jarvis

Creek Crossing of the Santa Fe Trail 1846 to 1848—The Mexican War1849—Stagecoach Service Starts1850 to 1860—Military Forts

placed along Santa Fe Trail1854—Kansas Ter-

ritory Established1858—Trading Ranches

at Cow Creek Crossing and Little Arkansas Crossing

1859—Ashel Beach Trad-ing Founded at Cow Creek Crossing; Wheeler’s Trading Ranch/Toll Bridge Founded at Little Arkansas Crossing

1860—Peketon County cre-ated; Beach Valley incorporated

1860s—Santa Fe Trail traf-fic with emigrants, miners travel to Rocky Mountains

1861—Kansas Statehood1860s to 1870s—

The Indian Wars1861 to 1865—The Civil War1864—Cow Creek Massacre;

Battle of Cow Creek; Peketon County becomes Marion County

1865—Stone Corral finished at Little Arkansas Crossing

1867—Rice County estab-lished, but not organized; Cholera Outbreak; Plum Buttes Massa-cre; Treaty of Medicine Lodge

1868 to 1875—The Buf-falo Slaughter

1868 to 1876—The Ells-worth Cattle Drive

1870—Atlanta Estab-lished on Santa Fe Trail

1871—Ohio Colonies Founded in Chase, Union City area

1872—Raymond, Peace Estab-lished; Peace holds school meet-ing; Rice County Herald begins at Atlanta; Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad arrives in Peace

1874—The Grass-hopper Incursion

1876—Peace changes name to Sterling; County’s cen-ter elected as new location

1877—Lyons Found-ed as new county seat

1879—Kansas Centre is platted1880—Little River Found-

ed; incorporated in 18861880s to 1920s—Broomcorn

Boom in Sterling/Alden area1881—Chase Founded;

incorporated in 19021882—Mitchell, Al-

den, Cain City are platted1886—Geneseo, Craw-

ford, Galt are platted1887—Bushton, Frederick,

Pollard/Pollitz are platted1888—Wherry, Noble platted1889—Sterling Salt Company

first salt mine; Bevis Salt/Diamond Crystal mine in Lyons starts

1890s to 1920s—Chau-tauqua Movement

1893—Silica platted1895—Saxman platted1898—Spanish-American War1901—Temperance Movements1908—J.S. Dillon

starts Alden business1910—Third coun-

ty courthouse built1914 to 1918—World War I1916-1917—Brick-laying

at Courthouse Square1919—Cooper College

changes to Sterling College1923 to 1940s—Chase

found as biggest oil pool1929—Arkansas River,

Cow Creek flooding

1930s—Dust Bowl years1935 to 1945—World War II1937—Sterling Lake Dedi-

cation, July 4 Celebration1940—Smithsonian Insti-

tute dig uncovers 1500 Qui-viran Indian Culture

1950—Father Padilla Cross built by Knights of Columbus

1950 to 1953—Korean War1951—Northern Natural

Gas Founded near Bushton1961—Kansas Centennial; Buf-

falo Bill’s Well Park development1965—Passenger trains stopped1965 to 1967-- Smith-

sonian Institute dig uncov-ers serpentine intaglio

1965 to 1975—The Vietnam War1969—Eternal Flame erect-

ed at Courthouse Square1971—Rice County Centennial1972—Raymond, Ster-

ling Centennials; Livestock shipping by train stopped

1985—Coronado-Quiv-ira Museum Dedicated

Rice County history timeline


By Paul Jones

Employment January 2012: 253.Employment January 2011: 140Employment January,1982: 1Such is the growth of JACAM

Chemicals L.L.C., headquartered in Sterling. They now include JACAM Manufacturing, JACAM Chemicals, JACAM Laboratory, and JACAM Transportation.

Nearly 100 percent of the prod-ucts produced by JACAM are for the oil and gas industries. The prod-uct line is vast, nearly all invented by Gene Zaid, company founder and now Chief Executive Officer.

Zaid started the company, named for his children Jason and Cam-eron, in his garage in Sterling in 1982 while he was employed as a chemist for Carey Salt Company in Hutchinson. He worked evenings and weekends on his new busi-ness, once saying that it was his form of enjoyment, as compared with other activities such as golf.

The business has seen tremen-dous growth throughout its history, but mainly in recent years, in which its physical presence in the county greatly expanded. Production of all chemicals was originally in a complex at the southwest edge of Sterling, but in 2008 a brand new complex was constructed on Av-enue Q (commonly known as the Saxman Road) three miles south of Lyons. Upon completion of the new facility, the former plant at the edge of Sterling was converted to manufacture only non-hazardous and non-flammable solid products which are used for bacterial corro-sion prevention, water treatment,

corrosion inhibiting, scale and iron control, and other such applications.

The Saxman Road facility pro-duces products in a liquid form, both in the low-temperature and high temperature applications.

The company has seen growth of approximately 40 percent in 2011, and expects growth in the 40 to 50 percent range for 2012. While no major new items will be produced this year, the growth is the result of expansion of the sales and mar-keting divisions, with a particular emphasis on customer service. For such service, JACAM has person-

nel located in 10 states — Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Nebraska, North Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mex-ico, Utah and Califor-nia. It has warehouses in those states, and two mobile laboratories, which can be moved to on-site locations of oil and gas production, for immediate analysis

of operations. It has two airplanes, a small propeller-driven Sirrus for trips to customers in the near area by one or two persons, and a busi-ness jet, soon to be updated to a seven-passenger Cessna CJ 2-Plus, for quick visits to customers with needs in areas more distant.

JACAM now operates in the United States and Canada, with growth plans in Mexico and South America, and is looking for fur-ther expansion in the Americas and in Europe. It also provides products for off-shore drilling.

To transport its products, JA-CAM Transportation has a fleet of 11 semi-trailer trucks. In the future it expects to use rail transportation for products to its California op-erations, and it presently receives raw materials for its blending processes by railroad tank cars.

The production of raw materi-als for blending products is the focus of plans to construct addi-tional facilities south of the Sax-man Road location, which would

A one-of-a-kind vessel, manufactured just for Jacam, is similar to a household pressure cooker, and is used for the manufacture of chemicals used in water treatment. Gene Zaid, president of Jacam Chemicals stands in front of the vessel.

a growing global company

JACAM enjoys explosive growth during 2011 continued growth is the prospect in 2012

Chemicals, manufacturing, research, invention and transportation all play a part in successful growth

From humble beginnings

Jacam chemicals l.l.c. has grown into a maJor employer For the region with more than 250 employees

HARD TO BELIEVE IT HAS BEEN FIVE YEARS SINCE THE GROUND BREAKING IN AUGUST OF 2006 for the new state of the art JACAM manufac-turing facility located between Lyons and Sterling in the Rice County Industrial Park on Saxmon Road. The company occupied the building and began manufacturing its products there in late 2008.

manufacture raw chemicals, which are now being purchased from suppliers as far away as Mexico and China. While not yet formally announced, construction of the new facility is expected to begin sometime this year, would cost ap-proximately $6 million, and employ an addition 25 or more persons.

Prior to that new operation, the main addition to the company’s physical plant has been its labora-tory on Saxman Road. It is billed as a full-service facility which performs geochemical analyses to pin point well conditions, add-ing that “utilizing state-of-the-art instrumentation, our skilled chem-ists and technicians provide quick and accurate results to properly identify problems. Upon problem

identification, treatment recommen-dations are specifically designed to meet our customers’ needs.”

Of the 250-plus company per-sonnel, approximately 100 are employed in Rice County.

Key employees in addition to Zaid are his son, Jason West, company president; Beth Wolf, laboratory manager; Miki Zaid, regulatory compliance officer; Butch McCormack, vice presi-dent of operations; Byron Owen, vice-president of down-hole appli-cations; Steve Rivas, public rela-tions; Gene Brock, vice-president of technology; Don Pitts, director of finance; Chuck Anderson, con-troller; Gary Zorn, plant manager; Jim Ambrust, safety director; and Larry Crow, general counsel.

Accounting & Audit • Estate & Tax Planning • Financial ServicesManagement Consulting • Retirement & Benefit Consulting

Lyons Office108 W. Commercial Street • Lyons, KS 67554 • (620) 257-2351

www.abbb.com

C o m m i t m e n t • I n t e g r i t y • E x p e r i e n c e

Since 1945, Adams, Brown, Be-ran & Ball, Chartered has provided expert accounting, tax and busi-ness consulting services to clients throughout Kansas.

In addition, since their acquisi-tion of Robert Spielman’s account-ing practice in 2004, they have maintained the same high level

of client service as Mr. Spielman provided during his lifetime. As the largest full-service CPA firm in the communities they serve, they strive to be known not only as a trusted advisor, but as a partner in their clients’ success. For more informa-tion about Adams, Brown, Beran & Ball, please visit www.abbb.com.

Adam, Brown Beran and Ball provide expert accounting services


Documents

Lyons P&P Business