The Hytrol Story

Sam Leone read an eye-opening article in a sales magazine one day that stuck with him. The article was on “Empathy,” and Sam realized that each person in the Hytrol Family could benefit from practicing and using its concept. The definition given was, “The capacity for participation in another’s feelings or ideas.” He discussed it with Tom, Ralph, and Dan Loberg, now manager of marketing, and each agreed it was a good idea. In June of 1975, the Hytrol Distributor Council met to formally elect officers and decide on an official format. During the meeting, the council goals were summed up by the council with the word, Empathy. And at Hytrol, each officer and manager was presented with an “Empathy” placard to place on his desk as a constant reminder to practice it in all aspects of Hytrol’s business. Hytrol had been advertising in various trade magazines for many years. With the phenomenal increase in business over the recent years, Hytrol’s ad campaigns were stepped up to reflect the company’s growing product line and expertise in conveyor system design and production. Large, full-color ads began appearing in popular magazines such as Modern Materials Handling, Material Handling Engineering, New Equipment Digest, Industrial Equipment News, and many others. The Hytrol name was fast becoming well-known and synonymous with quality conveying equipment. Many factories, warehouses, and distribution centers were replacing their old conveyor systems with Hytrol. In April of 1974, Tom Loberg and the entire Hytrol Family was shocked to learn of the tragic death of Chuck Loberg. His private plane had crashed near Sherman, Texas. His service to Hytrol as a vice-president was recognized as a factor in Hytrol’s early growth. It was a sad time for all indeed. In March of 1975, with the Stockyard in its eleventh year, Hytrol again startled the industry with a new promise. The new 24-hour shipping policy stated, “If we’re late, we pay the freight!” It was another new and radical service that Hytrol was now offering its distributors and customers. That policy is still in effect today! In July 1975, the Hi-Lites announced the outstanding news that the Stockyard had broken all quarterly records with 100 percent shipments! The Stockyard had shipped every order received in the second quarter of 1975 on-time! After the introduction of the “If we’re late, we pay the freight” policy, the Stockyard had taken the challenge and came through with flying colors! 1975 also saw the introduction of several new and exciting conveyor models. The model ACZ Accumulating Conveyor featured “finger-tip” adjustment so adjustments to its accumulation