Lyons Specialty Company & AIR CONDITIONING

History

History

Glenn Baker’s was founded in 1954 by Glenn H. Baker and Al Ross. In the spring of 1971, they hired a young Istrouma High graduate, Ronnie Watts, who worked there for the next 18 years, and bought the company from Mike Baker in 1989. Ronnie (now deceased), his wife Debbie Watts, and son Derrick Watts have worked there for many years. Derrick started in the feld doing installations and is now the secondgeneration member to own Glenn Baker’s.

In 1945, LSU auditor William E. Davis, Sr. began selling 10-cent pecan rolls to local stores from the storage room behind his garage. He named his side business Baton Rouge Wholesale Candy Company. The next year, he purchased Lyons Specialty Company, which had been founded in 1923, from the owner’s widow for $7,690.61, leaving Davis just $75 in the business bank account. He continued operating under the Lyons name in order to keep the company’s existing customers. Davis’ grandson Hugh Raetzsch Jr. is CEO of the company today.

WHAT VALUES OR PRINCIPLES GUIDE YOUR BUSINESS?

For a family to work together successfully, everyone must pull their own weight. When I began working in the business over 30 years ago, I was given an opportunity by my grandfather and my mother, Jane Dunlap. It was my job to make the most of that opportunity. Now that my kids are entering the business, they have the same opportunity.

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO WORK WITH FAMILY?

Honesty, integrity, loyalty, respect, compassion, perseverance, dependability and accountability, just to name a few. Ronnie Watts insisted on treating everyone like family, and was fond of saying, “We are here for our customers … not just to get their dollar.”

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO WORK WITH FAMILY?

Early on in my career was a difficult time. There were some strained relationships and even today, there are scars from those times. But over the last couple of years as my two older sons have graduated from college and entered the business, it has been extremely rewarding. I feel very fortunate to see my kids every day and share the successes of running a 100-year-old family business. Not many people get that opportunity. It is truly special.

“Working for my father and mother was originally a high school job, but it developed into something more,” says Derrick Watts.

“Growing up and watching my parents run the business, I realized I would love for my wife and I to run it one day. I can finally say that dream came true … my wife has worked with us for 15 years. It has been a wonderful experience to work with my family every day.”

So much has changed compared to when I began in the business over 30 years ago. One of our core values is adaptability … it has been key to our success and the success of our customers. What’s important to our customers today is different than it was just a few years ago and what will be important to them five years from now.

HOW HAS YOUR BUSINESS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS?

WHAT’S ON THE HORIZON FOR YOUR COMPANY?

The best change in the industry is the technology in the air conditioning systems. As an owner, we have to stay current with the technology. Every year, the systems get smarter and smarter. Our techs are always in training to stay up to date.

WHAT’S ON THE HORIZON FOR YOUR COMPANY?

Glenn Baker’s would like to expand in the residential, commercial and industrial fields in Baton Rouge and its surrounding areas.

We completed an expansion project in 2018 which doubled the size of our warehouse and office. This gives us the necessary space and added efficiencies to more than triple our current sales at our existing facility. We will continue to focus on growing our food service category, growing our MAX12 customer membership program, and growing our Marketing Advantage Monthly in-store marketing program.