Salt Lake City: Livability in the 21st Century

The company’s founders were surprised when the
SBA loan officer reviewing their application commented,
“Your business plan will fail in ninety days.” Even so, the
founders remained committed to the plan, convincing the
loan officer to approve the loan. The wisdom of that decision
is evident in the company’s success, with statistics which
today include over fifty employees and over $15 million
annually in sales revenues.
When it began, the company’s main product line was
Steelcraft Manufacturing Company, a leader in the hollow
metal door and frame industry, but Beacon struggled with
sub-tier hardware lines at that time, as all of the major lines
were represented by large, competing door and hardware
suppliers in the Salt Lake market. The aluminum window
industry, which was extremely competitive, was in the early
stages of converting from single pane to double pane
windows, rendering most of Beacon’s manufacturing
equipment obsolete. As a result, the company exited the
aluminum window business just a few years after start-up
with the commitment to focus its efforts and investment on
architectural doors, frames and hardware.
When John was called to serve a mission for the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in South Carolina, Hank
became the new general manager. Under his direction, the
company purchased property and developed the facility at
its current location, 2770 South West Temple, Salt Lake City.
During Hank’s tenure, the company’s revenues doubled prior
to his retiring in 1992. Ken Riches, the next generation,
became the company’s president, a post he still holds. Others
who have played key roles in our company include Jim and
Larry Butler; Carlos Esparza, Jay Ombach and many other
talented and exceptional people.
“Over the years, our company has transitioned from
manual processes to computerization,” says Ken, president.
“Our first computer was an IBM system that required
nine-inch floppy disks.” Orders
to manufacturers were sent,
acknowledged, and returned by
mail before manufacturing could
begin. All business was transacted
this way and was very time consuming.
Today, the entire system
has changed dramatically. One
thing that has remained consistent
is the quality of people who have
been employed here.
Innovations that have contributed
to Beacon Metals’ success
have included:
• The purchase of a sheer and press providing
custom frame manufacturing capability;
• Development of innovative solutions such
as: “Stagecraft” under-stage door for the
churches and theatres;
• Pre-installment of hardware on doors “in
house,” to facilitate greater efficiency than
when installing at a jobsite;
• Investment in industry software, expanding
the ability to manage greater sales revenues.
The company has added a national sales
department, a security center team focused on
access control, a walk-in counter department,
a contract bidding department and an installation
team with the ability to provide extraordinary
value to its customers.
Beacon Metals, Inc., sites are at 2770 South
West Temple, Salt Lake City and 677 North
3050 East Unit 4, St. George, Utah. Additional
information is available on the Internet at
www.beacon-metals.com.
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