Stylite

Stylite Lighting

LOCAL LIGHTING COMPANY OUTSHINES THE BIG BOYS

Star Herald 3/13/04

...Stylite Lighting Co. illuminates more than pool tables.

The Scottsbluff manufacturing company, which specializes in multi-color lights that hang over game tables, is in the process of diversifying and is continually going after new markets.

Formerly S&R Products of Fort Collins, Colorado, doing business under the Stylite name, the operation was brought lock, stock and barrel to Scottsbluff after 20 years in the Front Range.

The business has since changed hands and is now owned by HTH...and managed by Joe Schon.

...the company has several licensing agreements, including with the NCAA and NFL, and produces game lights bearing the logos and names of the respective teams. The company is also the exclusive producer of three Harley-Davidson specialty lights that hang over gaming tables.

A network of dealers nationwide handles customer requests and orders for the specialty lighting. In Scottsbluff, lights can be purchased through the Carr-Trumbull Do It Center.

The game lights are generally compared to a cut glass but are produced in stages by poured colored resin. Light fixtures, either incandescent or fluorescent, are then installed inside the oak or maple frames that are constructed on site.

Various designs are created by pouring resin into a rubber mold created from one of a multitude of dies filed away in the Scottsbluff plant, located south of 14th Street between Broadway and First Avenue.

...the company has 15 employees, many of whom are able to multi-task and move between different manufacturing roles.

Workers are busy filling orders and preparing samples that will be taken to a national billiard show, where they will be included in a trade show.

...the long hanging lights that illuminate game tables still constitute more than 90 percent of the company's business, but...that will change as the firm is able to diversify.

It takes about four weeks from the time an order is placed until a light is shipped. Much of the manufacturing work is quite tedious, as workers pour warm resin into a variety of channels created by resin leading.

The various colored panels are then connected, again by resin, and placed in frames or connected together in various configurations to form Tiffany-style lights.

...Harley Davidson sends in the components to make specialized hanging lights that can accompany a chrome and black wood pool table. The lights do not have the colorful resin inserts but feature the Harley Davidson logo in chrome surrounding shiny black wood. Matching chrome corners like those on the pool table finish off the light.

...the company is considering producing a smaller light that would accompany the larger Harley light but could serve as a companion piece or hang alone.

(Joe) Schon is also busy developing a Web Site where customers could go on-line and follow a set of instructions to design their own lights. Once the design is completed the customer would be instructed to contact his or her closest local distributor to place an order.

Called "designalite," the on-line ordering capability is being created with the help of Impact Imaging of Scottsbluff and will be introduced at the April 1 Billiard Congress of America convention in Las Vegas, Schon said.

...the personalized lights that can be created by the customer would provide a new niche for the company.

Combined with the licensed designs of college and professional sports teams, Schon sees nothing but steady growth for the company...

A veteran of manufacturing businesses, Schon said taking over the management of Stylite has resulted in a tremendous learning curve. "It is now on such a personal level as we deal with customers," he said.

Even creating a catalogue and Web Site has been a labor of love, Schon said. In the past, such tasks might be passed off to a creative services department or advertising agency, but now many of his hours are spent in front of the computer.

Schon expects many creative ideas to come via Internet once the on-line ordering system is up and running. Those orders will be passed on to a nationwide network of 628 active dealers and retail outlets that will then order from Stylite Lighting.

For more information, visit Stylite's Web Site at www.stylitelighting.com.

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STYLITE LIGHTING ANNOUNCES NEW OWNERSHIP
Star Herald 10/14/03

Stylite Lighting, a specialty lighting manufacturer based in Scottsbluff, will move forward with a new business plan. The company produces handcrafted lights commonly found in restaurants such as Pizza Hut or adorning pool tables.

Joe Schon recently took over management of the business, formerly owned by Jay Doyle. The business was recently purchased by HTH Holdings, owned by Travis Hiner, Brent Holliday, Bill Trumbull and Jim Trumbull.

Stylite Lighting, located at 14 East 14th Street in the former Carr-Trumbull Lumber Building, opened in Scottsbluff in July 2002. The former Fort Collins, Colorado business relocated here with the assistance of LB 840 funds from the City of Scottsbluff.

"It's a fun business and has significant opportunity," Schon said. "We're looking forward to grow it."

The 26 year-old business will be moving forward with a new capitalization plan, hoping to expand its market, Schon said, which includes selling products locally.

The business is also hoping to expand its market. While the company manufactures products for businesses such as Pizza Hut and Harley Davidson, the custom-designed lights have only been available through catalog orders or through major chains such as Lowes. Schon said the company hopes to increase its market for recreational usage at homes by selling its products locally at Carr-Trumbull.

The business recently increased its staff and now employs 15 people. Schon said employees have shown dedication to the business and will focus on filling a two-month backlog.

Earlier Articles About Stylite:

From the Star Herald - 2002

Star Herald 2/5/02

The Taylor River Company will receive $75,000 in LB 840 funds from the City of Scottsbluff.

The City Council approved the application from the light fixture company at Monday night's meeting. The approval hinges upon the company satisfying recommendations set forth by the Lb 840 committee. Those recommendations include collateralizing of a loan and maintaining 15 employees over a 10-year period.

The Taylor River Company is expecting to relocate an existing operation from Colorado to Scottsbluff, possibly into the Carr-Trumbull building at 14th Street and Broadway...

The company manufactures Tiffany-style specialty light fixtures, such as those commonly used over pool tables.

City Manager, Rick Kuckkahn, said the light fixtures are a product that could be manufactured locally, but sold and marketed nationally to bring dollars into the Scottsbluff economy.

Star Herald's "Bottom Line"

October 2002

After more than 30 years of operation, a California-based lighting company has found a new home in Scottsbluff.

Stylite Lighting began making lights for pool halls and restaurants, along with furniture in the 1970's.

A Denver businessman purchased the company and moved it to the Front range. It moved again 12 years ago when it found another Colorado home in Fort Collins.

In June, the company opened in the former Carr-Trumbull Building along Broadway...

...the company is a $1 million business, and sales have been very brisk during the last few months...

The product begins as just a piece of wood and then goes through a cutting and sanding process. The pieces are fit together, then the light panels are attached. Each of the lights are wired for electricity and then shipped.

Prior to the panels being attached, each panel is designed based upon the wishes of the buyer. Clear plastic is poured first, then colors are added, as well as lettering.

In addition to making lights for larger companies...(Stylite) has rights to make Harley-Davidson and Nebraska Cornhusker lights...(and)...the capability to make personalized lights, as well as a person's favorite professional team.

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STYLITE LIGHTING DBA TAYLOR RIVER COMPANY

Star Herald 1/30/02

A company manufacturing specialty light fixtures is looking to relocate in Scottsbluff and will be seeking LB 840 assistance.

The Taylor River Company would produce Tiffany-style fixtures, commonly used over pool tables, according to an LB 840 application submitted to the City of Scottsbluff.

Scottsbluff City Manager, Rick Kuckkahn, said the company is looking to relocate in Scottsbluff, and one possibility for the facility is the Carr-Trumbull Building at 14th Street and Broadway.

Kuckkahn said the LB 840 committee will recommend approval of the company's $75,000 request at Monday night's City Council meeting.

The Taylor River Company is requesting funds for 15 full-time equivalents. The wages would be competitive, as would the benefits to be offered, Kuckkahn said.

"In terms of the kinds of companies we're trying to encourage, this fits the mold," Kuckkahn said. "It's a relatively small company with great growth potential. The jobs fit our employee base. Since they would market these things nationally, they would be, by definition, an economic base activity by marketing the community by selling the product outside the community."

Kuckkahn said the LB840 committee heard the request Friday and moved in open session to recommend approval to the Mayor and Council. The committee, Kuckkahn said, indicated in its recommendations that the Taylor River Company is precisely the kind of business it seeks to fund...

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