END WITH JACKIE ROBINSON…. Show first MLB Baseball player Jackie Robinson and tie into the founding of the company on October 8, 1947 (same year)
FOUNDING FATHERS OF PRIVATE BRANDS, INC
BEFORE/AFTER PHOTOS OF THE FIRST STORE FRONT. IS NOW THE RIVER QUAY AREA in KC, MO
AS THE COMPANY CONTINTUED TO GROW… PRIVATE BRANDS, INC MOVED TO THE CURRENT PLANT
END WITH JITTERBUG…. MAKE A “BUG” COMMENT AND TALK ABOUT THE INFESTATIONS OF GRASSHOPPERS IN THE LATE 50’S. PBI THEN ADDED LIQUID AND GRANULAR INSECTICIDES TO THEIR LINE UNDER THE NEW GORDON LABEL.
1951 FLOOD THAT DAMAGED THE FACILITIES. ALTHOUGH THE FLOOD WAS A DISASTER, THE COMPANY WAS NOT DISCOURAGED AND THROUGH THE MARKETING OF THE WARFARINTYPE RAT AND MOUSE KILLER, THEY WERE ABLE TO PAY THE EXPENSES WITHIN A YEAR’S TIME.
1956 PBI PURCHASED 2 COMPANIES-George Chemical Company & Johnston Chemical Compan. merged and gave us the new Gordon logo
Product shots, say whatever.
NOT ONLY DID MARTIN LUTHER HAVE A DREAM IN 1963… BUT THE TEAM AT PBI VISIONED A NEW PRODUCT LINE
1967-THEY NEEDED TO REFLECT A CORPORATE IMAGE THAT WAS CONSISTENT WITH THE “GORDON” TRADE NAME AS OPPOSED TO THE PRIVATE BRAND IMAGE. IN ORDER TO SATISFY LEGAL REQUIREMENTS AND MAINTAIN INDUSTRY IDENTIFICATION WITH PRIVATE BRANDS, INC… THE NAME PBI/GORDON Corporation WAS ESTABLISHED.
IN OCTOBER OF 68, THE PRODUCT FAIRWAY WAS PATENTED. AS TELEVISION BEGAN BROADCASTING IN COLOR AND BECAME MORE VISUALLY APPEALING THE TURF INDUSTRY RAPIDLY GREW.
PBI set out to convince customers the advantages of using Fairway In hopes of gaining a larger customer base , the name was changed to TRIMEC and our biggest product line was born Side…It was felt that the name FAIRWAY gave the impression it was limited to golf courses and later changed to what we know it as today, TRIMEC
Began advertising Trimec in 1970 (show ad in trade magazines) and show current Trimec ad
1974-acquired Acme line of products from Sherwin-Williams Company
Warehouse moved to the present location
Fire damage
Fire- moved to the new corporate offices at 1217 w 12st.
Jayhawk plant was acquired
Jayhawk before and after photos.
Crane moving huge old tank that used to brew beer. We bought it to make Ferromec.
Another jayhawk moved up the pecking order and richard martin was named president in 1991. Later to be named CEO in 1995
Turf Farm established.
1994 became an ESOP company and owned of 54% of stock. Stock was valued at $150/share
1997 celebrated 50 yrs in business
1999- purchased Pegasus and became a wholly owned subsidiary of PBI. Given the option to purchase PRN at a later date
Pegasus purchased PRN Pharmacal which at this time included Trophy -2002 became 100% employee owned
Expansion pictures. Bldg went from 10,000 to 57,000 sq ft
