The Hytrol Story

But it had to be proven to the distributors. Tom called his staff together, and everyone discussed the situation. If the distributors were uneasy concerning the move to Jonesboro, they had to be shown the benefits of it all. The decision was made. Hytrol would bring the distributors to Jonesboro so they might see with their own eyes that Tom had made the right decision in moving to Arkansas. This would be Hytrol’s first ever National Distributor Convention. Just as every Hytrol Distributor Convention is a First Class affair, so did Tom envision this first one. Plans called for an official Grand Opening of the new Hytrol plant, complete with a ribbon cutting celebration. With the help of a number of influential Jonesboro dignitaries, then Governor Orval Faubus was invited and accepted the invitation to come and cut the ribbon. And more importantly, he was asked to be the guest speaker during the convention. He was appraised of the skepticism shown by many of the distributors concerning Hytrol’s relocation to Arkansas. And he was well aware that they came from all parts of the United States. The convention took place in May of 1963. Thirteen distributors came to see the Jonesboro plant. It was immediately evident by the furrowed brows shown by some that they were a little dubious of coming to a convention in the small southern town of Jonesboro, Arkansas! But those brows soon softened as they saw the new Hytrol factory and talked to the employees. They were impressed by the attitude and friendliness shown by the Jonesboro workers. And on the second day’s luncheon atop what was then known as the Citizen’s Bank building, they were enthralled by Governor Faubus’ talk. Faubus recounted the ten year growth of Arkansas and challenged them “in a friendly way” to find any other state in the USA that could match it. He gave credit for the state’s rapid climb to the industrial program which had provided 73,000 additional jobs in that ten year period. He then assured the distributors that much of the publicity on Arkansas in the past had been distorted in such a way as to create wrong images and he welcomed all visitors to Arkansas in order that they could get to know “the fine people and leaders” of the state. As the convention came to a close and each distributor said their goodbyes to Tom and his staff, it became evident their attitudes had changed. They went away more convinced that Tom had made a wise decision in the move to Jonesboro. They assured Tom and the Hytrol Family they would give full support to maintaining the relationships that had been solidified by a handshake and a promise. And Tom, Chuck, Sam, and Ralph pledged they would continue to manufacture products with the same attention to design, pricing, availability and service as in the past.