The Hytrol Story

engineered by Hytrol and Hytrol distributors. The engineering team was now designing special conveyors and conveying accessories to perform specialized material handling tasks. Almost every type of market was now using Hytrol products. Slowly but surely, Tom Loberg and his capable staff were beginning to crowd out the big boys of the material handling industry! The expansion was started and soon, another forest of pillars were reaching skyward. Since the convention when the Pillar of Wisdom Award was formally announced, other distributors had reached the pillar sales plateau. When this happened, the distributor principal and his wife were invited to the Jonesboro plant and a formal dedication ceremony was held. Tom Loberg escorted the distributor to the pillar where a special platform had been erected. Sam Leone was always there to assist in the event and praise the distributor for his outstanding work. At the apex of the ceremony, the distributor, or sometimes his wife, unveiled the new Pillar of Wisdom sign. All the Jonesboro employees were in attendance, and the unveiling would always be met with applause. It was another way that Hytrol expressed its appreciation to the distributors. With the non-stop increase in sales, the sales force in St. Louis was also expanded. Dan Loberg, Tom’s son, had been working in the engineering department since his separation from the military. Dan had served in Vietnam and even saw combat duty. Sam inquired if Dan might come to work in the sales department. Tom agreed and Dan and his wife, Susan, made the move to St. Louis. In October of 1969, the Stockyard expansion was completed, and a special ribbon-cutting was held to signify this event. Stockyard orders were still increasing, and the added space would do much to relieve the cramped conditions. It was hoped the expansion would also help raise the on-time shipping percentage. It hovered right around 90 percent. Each month, Hytrol published the on-time shipping percentage in the Hi-Lites newsletter. Even in the months when it was down, no other conveyor manufacturer could match it! When it came to fast conveyor shipments, Hytrol led the way! When 1969 ended, Hytrol’s on-time shipping percentage was 86.8 percent, and the final Hytrol sales figure was $3,260,000. Another record year!