Franklin / Tennessee / United States
FloStor Engineering Inc of Hayward, California has proven that the combination of outstanding people and quality products will support consistent growth. The companys success is repeatedly depicted in its customers reports of increased productivity. If automation is the key to FloStor customers enhanced productivity, then the ideas and knowledge generated by FloStors long-tenured employees are the keys to the proven performance record required for sustained growth within the material handling industry. Based in the San Francisco Bay area, FloStor was founded in 1983 with a vision of providing creative solutions to both simple and complex material handling challenges. Robert Weeks, FloStor President, began the company in a spare room, not unlike another West Coast pioneer, Bob Packard, co-founder of Hewlett Packard. Ever the innovator, Weeks realized that there was a growing market for systems integration. He combined his marketing knowledge with a mechanical aptitude to create a company whose drive was and continues to be the creation of new solutions to old problems. Mentored by Tom Loberg, founder of Hytrol Conveyor Company (Jonesboro, AR), and Sam Leone, then Hytrols vice president of sales & marketing, Weeks continued to learn the business. Today, FloStor counts Hytrol Conveyor as one of its major product lines. Weeks says, "Much of what I learned during my early days from pioneers like Tom and Sam is evidenced in how my company functions today." The communication of ideas and information is an important key to the success of FloStors 35 employees. All FloStor employees attend a monthly meeting in which management discusses how the company makes its money. If the prior month was a good one, lunch is served. For 30 minutes, financial information is shared as gross sales, gross profits, costs of operations and net profits are discussed. Weeks says, "I try to teach each employee the basics regarding company finances. It does not matter what an employees job responsibility is. Each employee can impact the companys profitability. If we succeed as a team, were all better for it." FLOSTOR TEAM FloStor prides itself on the longevity of its workforce. Its employees bring imagination, creativity and enthusiasm to the company. In fact, while many companies find recruitment of qualified personnel to be a challenge, potential employees often seek out FloStor. The company posts job openings on its Web site (www.flostor.com) and utilizes the services of various placement agencies. "Our philosophy dictates that we provide the best work environment money can buy, " says Weeks, "and we strive to equip our personnel with the latest that technology has to offer in order for them to work more productively and efficiently."
