SPECIAL FEATURE Clark Prudhon
Promoting exceptional customer service and a custom design concept created a metal construction dynasty
Memphis, Tenn.-based Varco Pruden is a well-known manufacturer and supplier of pre- engineered metal building systems. However, the company itself has humble beginnings in the legacy of Clark Prudhon, one of the com- pany’s founders and an innovator in the metal construction industry. Known for his down- to-earth nature and hard work ethic, Prudhon lived by the motto on a plaque in his offi ce, “Be responsible, have integrity, act in love.” Due to his achievements within the industry and integrity, he is the winner of the Legacy award for the Metal Construction Hall of Fame.
Founding Pruden Products Prior to creating his own company, Prudhon worked with Armco Steel in Middletown, Ohio; Evans Products in Detroit, Mich.; and The James Manufacturing Co. in Fort Atkinson, Wis. Initially Prudhon helped produce agricultural building products. Later he grew restless and decided to found a company that would allow him to make his own unique products. “The beginning of Varco Pruden was started in 1950 with an agree- ment between Clark Prudhon and Gene Kandel with $7,600 and a piece of shoestring, which Prodhon requested from Kandel,” notes Stephen Hudak, senior training and education coordinator with Varco Pruden Buildings. Prudhon kept the string throughout his
“Be responsible, have integrity, act in love.”
career, a reminder of a simple beginning. This was the beginning of Pruden Products, using the phonetic spelling of Prudhon’s name. In 1955, Pruden Products produced a steel building in Evansville, Wis., that still stands today. The steel building concept saw Prudhon develop his “metal building frame truss unit,” which received a patent in 1959. In the 1960s, Pruden Products moved its
focus to all-steel buildings. Competing with major companies, such as Butler Manufacturing, Kansas City, Mo., and Armco, drove Prudhon to develop a custom concept marketing strategy where Pruden
Products would provide whatever the customer needed. A strong example of this custom concept model is the donation Prudhon made in 1962 to Wisconsin. According to Hudak, Prudhon do- nated a steel framed building used to house the “World’s Largest Cheese” for the 1962 New York World’s Fair. The Wisconsin Pavilion still exists in Neillsville, Wis., and stands as a testament to Prudhon’s desire to supply unique customer service while acting in good faith to represent his community. Jim Peckham, marketing manager for Varco Pruden, notes that the custom concept customer service allows Varco Pruden to stand out from industry competitors.
Adding the Varco to Pruden In 1968, Pruden Products was sold to Fuqua Industries, Atlanta, and Pruden Products joined Varco Steel Co., Pine Bluff, Ark., to become Varco Pruden. For 20 years, Prudhon oversaw opera- tions as Varco Pruden’s chief executive offi cer. What started as a company with a small invest- ment and a shoestring turned into a leading metal building manufacturer. Despite the rapid growth of his company,
Prudhon remained in touch with both his em- ployees and customers. Those who worked with Prudhon remember his particularity in producing a quality product exact to customer specifi cations. He would go so far as to come out with measuring tape and measure the parts for a building himself. Prudhon also continued to support his community with scholarships for Evansville students. Most re- member Prudhon for his integrity to the customer and his commitment to quality, which continue to be part of the current Varco Pruden credo. Varco Pruden now employs hundreds of peo-
ple and is responsible for the production of multiple products used in the metal construction industry. Through employee training, education initiatives and community outreach, Varco Pruden maintains the integrity as well as responsibility Clark Prudhon instilled in the company.
26 METAL CONSTRUCTION NEWS November 2013
www.metalconstructionnews.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68