17 minute read
Built to Last
By ERIC SMITH Photos by JOHN BURNS
Anniversaries are important to observe. It’s a time to remember where you’ve been and how you’ve grown, to reflect on the challenges you’ve overcome, and to celebrate your accomplishments.
In the case of local businesses, it’s also a time to recognize the impact they’ve had on the community. Topekaarea companies, Ernest-Spencer and Fidelity State Bank & Trust Co., each celebrating 100 years in business, and MCP Group, celebrating 50 years in operation, are each looking back at how
they’ve built a business to last and }looking forward at what’s next.
ERNEST-SPENCER
Neal Spencer was 30 years old and the operations manager of Ernest-Spencer, when his father, Brad, owner and president of the local precision manufacturer, died suddenly in 2007 at the age of 57.
Overnight, Neal was thrust into an ownership and leadership position.
The timeline had always been for Neal to take over for his father, just not at such a young age.
“He passed away one day, and the next day I was at work,” Spencer said. “And at the time, I felt I needed to be here to prove to all of the Ernest-Spencer employees and customers that I was capable.
“Growing up as the owner’s son, you’re in the spotlight, but there’s always a question mark. Is he capable or not? Can he do what dad did or grandad did? I worked hard for the first three years or so to earn their respect. Fortunately, from age 14 all the way to that point, I had a lot of years of experience that most people wouldn’t have had at my age.”
Fast forward 15 years later, Neal Spencer, as the fourthgeneration president, CEO and owner, has Ernest-Spencer on good footing. The company officially celebrated its 100th anniversary in business on Oct. 15 with a large gathering of employees, past and present, and their families. “For us, it’s as strong as it’s ever been,” Spencer said. “We have a bigger backlog than we’ve ever had. Our demand for new services and new products going into next year is more than we’ve ever seen.
“So, at our level, we’re not seeing a recession. That doesn’t mean it won’t come, or we won’t see some lag effect. But right now, we’ve got as much new business opportunities as we want to bite
off. The biggest hurdle is the right amount of people and the right people to do the work. But we’re strong. This year will be one of our best years on record.”
In the 15 years Spencer has been in charge, the 225-employee company has more than doubled its business. Still, Spencer knows the magnitude of overseeing a company that began just four years after World War I ended.
“There’s additional pressures just because it’s something that’s been around that long,” he said. “A lot of the traditional multigenerational companies don’t survive, and you don’t want to be the guy that causes the mistakes. You try to forge a new direction, while honoring what’s happened in the past.”
Ed Ernest, Neal’s greatgrandfather, started Ernest Engineering in 1922. The company started as one that designed and built grain elevators and feed mills for Ernest-Spencer is a precision manufacturer offering high-quality fabrication services.
agricultural facilities throughout the Midwest. “Bud” Spencer, Neal’s grandfather, married Ernest’s daughter Becky in 1946, and Bud and Ed joined together to form Ernest-Spencer. Bud was president from 1955-1988, and Neal’s dad, Brad, succeeded him. Neal said his grandfather, Bud, was still coming into the office when he was 90 and died in January 2020 at the age of 96.
“Growing up in the Spencer family, I wanted to go to work at a young age and watch (my dad and grandfather) do what they do and admire how great they were at it. They worked well together,” Neal Spencer said. “I saw their love for the people of the company, and their desire to continue to evolve and grow.
“There was never complacency by either one of them. I think that’s a big part of what I gained. I’m never content in what we are. We’re
always evolving to be something different. It doesn’t always mean it’s bigger. We’re just trying to keep up with the times and offerings for our customers and our employees.” Over the years, the company established an in-house metalworking department that eventually began offering highquality fabrication services to the outside world. The company also added a standalone powder coating and finishing facility. The company’s customer base is mainly in the Midwest, from Colorado to Missouri and the Dakotas to Texas, Spencer said, adding they ship worldwide for their customers. From 1922 to 1993, ErnestSpencer called Topeka home. Then, making a business decision, the company moved its headquarters to Meriden, where they continue to be today at 3323 NE 82nd St. } November/December 2022 TK Business Magazine 79
Photo by JOHN BURNS
—Neal Spencer President/CEO and Owner Ernest-Spencer The reason for the move?
“It was a bit of contrast to what we see now,” Spencer said. “Back then, we were in Topeka, and were looking to grow. There just wasn’t a tremendous amount of incentives for existing businesses to expand. Jefferson County and the city of Meriden were open arms and really wanted us to be here and establish our roots. We’re very gracious in everything they provided us to do that. So, we made the change.”
Ernest-Spencer acquired competitor Topeka Metal Specialties in 2016, and thus, the company again had a footprint in the capital city.
“We found it refreshing,” Spencer said of coming back to the capital city. “The folks in leadership in Topeka and the Greater Topeka Partnership have been great to work with, providing incentives and support. There’s a pro-business, pro-growth vibe in Topeka that’s been contagious.” Spencer said being at 5600 SW Topeka Blvd. in Topeka has allowed the company to continue to expand the overall picture with the employment base and recruit folks from south of Topeka that they weren’t necessarily getting in Meriden.
Any company that survives for 100 years is going to see its fair share of challenges. Many of those for Ernest-Spencer were world events such as the Great Depression and World War II. More recently it was the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The recession in 2008-09 was a challenge for us. For me, it was right after I took over the company. I’m 31-32, going, ‘man, this isn’t what I really wanted to do,’ but you learn, and you’re stronger because of it," said Spencer. "Then came the pandemic. I think each challenged the business and challenged our people. But we came out stronger. We’ve seen record growth and we continue to take advantage of that as best as we can.”
Can Ernest-Spencer make it another century?
Spencer, 45, said he has kids that could potentially be a fifth generation. The focus for him is the next 10 years, where he’ll work to continue to grow the company in customer offerings, technology and employee recruiting.
“It’s got the strength and stability to be here in 100 years,” Spencer said. “Whether it’s me or somebody else, this company will have a long, long future.” }
FIDELITY STATE BANK & TRUST CO.
“The bank that people like.”
That was the phrase on the original logo of Topeka institution Fidelity State Bank & Trust Co.
The expression seems very appropriate today as the bank celebrates 100 years of business—its official anniversary was April 29.
So, how did Fidelity make it to this point?
You can’t spend any amount of time talking about the bank and its history without one name popping up again and again—Anderson “Andy” Chandler.
Former long-time owner, president and chairman of the board, Chandler and members of his family moved to Topeka in 1958 after purchasing Fidelity.
For the next 51 years, he was the face of the local, family-owned community bank, serving as both president and chairman until 2009. In May 2018, the 60th anniversary of his joining the bank, he retired as chairman of the board and remained chairman emeritus until his death a year later at the age of 93.
Chandler and his family paved the way for what Fidelity is today. Allan Towle, Fidelity’s current chairman, president and CEO, joined the bank in 1996 and gleaned decades of institutional knowledge from the then-70-yearold Chandler.
“I learned very quickly how dedicated (Chandler) was to the greater Topeka community,” Towle said. “His commitment through community service and his expectation for all bank officers
Fidelity State Bank & Trust Co. main branch group officers and marketing team. Seated L to R: Irene Haws, Debbie Orr and Kristen Narron Standing L to R: Shelly Apodaca, Lonnie Wild, George Maxwell, Allan Towle, Mark Kossler, Troy Gilbert and Amber Paynter
being committed and involved in the community was amazing.”
Towle became president in 2009, CEO in 2014 and chairman in 2018.
While Chandler made Fidelity a household name for generations of Topekans, it was a man named J.H. Collingwood who founded the bank in 1922. He was the longest continual president and owner of a bank in Topeka, until selling to Chandler, and oversaw the bank becoming a charter member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) in 1933.
In 1947, the bank celebrated 25 years in business with the distinction of being the only bank in the capital city which was operated continuously during that time under the same name and the same president.
“I am certain (Collingwood) would be proud of the success of the bank and the legacy he started, which was continued by Anderson W. Chandler,” Towle said. If you’ve lived in Topeka for any amount of time, you’ve heard Fidelity’s motto sung in a catchy jingle.
“We do business right here at home,” Towle said. “There are two very important statements here. Taking care of customers by doing business right and taking care of the community because it is home for us and our customers.”
While the bank, like any business, has had its ups and downs and challenges it has overcome over the years, Towle said, right now, business is good.
“During Covid, deposits went up, and as the government poured }
PHOTO SUBMITTED
—Allan Towle Chairman, President and CEO Fidelity State Bank & Trust Co. dollars into the economy, many businesses did well and paid down loans. Others struggled,” Towle said. “The standard items of supply chain, workforce and increasing cost have impacted our community, but optimism is still apparent.”
Fidelity has 32 of the most dedicated associates a business could have, Towle said, adding they care about each other, but more importantly, they care about the customers.
“The success of our customers is what I am most proud of,” Towle said. “By knowing our customers and structuring banking services of deposits, loans, and cash management services to best meet the needs of our customers, we are able to be part of their success.”
Today, the bank has two locations, its main branch at 600 S. Kansas Ave., which sits on land that was once Kansas’ first State Capitol, and the Westridge Branch at 5926 SW 21st.
“We have remained a small community bank so that we never lose track of the value we provide the customers and the community,” Towle said. “Our focus is quality of growth and providing the extra service of experience and customer success.”
Towle said Topeka has provided an excellent opportunity for Fidelity to thrive, but more importantly the bank has helped finance the development of thousands of business and consumer opportunities for the capital city.
“Topeka is an amazing community,” Towle said. “I am a lifelong Topekan and love where we are as a city. Talking to so many people that moved here from other places has opened my eyes to how special this community really is.
“We are excited to have helped shape
Topeka over the last 100 years and are }positioned to continue this for the next 100 years.”
MCP GROUP
Take a look around the capital city, and you’ll see the work of commercial general contractor MCP Group everywhere. Whether it’s education, health care, commercial offices, hospitality, multifamily, sports or retail, the 60-employee company has its hand in all markets. The vision of brothers Mike and Bruce McPherson, McPherson Contractors, as the original entity was known in 1972, had the goal to “build the future” with principles of honesty, integrity, and tenacity and core values that include having character, honoring the client, pursuing greatness, working with purpose, and cultivating a family spirit. Local projects in the recent past include several buildings on Washburn University’s campus, the Federal Home Loan Bank headquarters, Cyrus Hotel, The Pennant, Iron Rail Brewing, Evergy Plaza, Seaman Middle and High School, and Jardine Elementary and Middle School. MCP Group has also constructed several local grocery stores, hospitals, bank buildings, and sports venues. You name it, they’ve built it. In 1975, MCP completed its first $1 million project, Hillcrest Community Center. They completed The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics in Lawrence in 2003 and the Boot Hill Casino in 2012. How did MCP become such a pillar in the community? “It starts with the great people,” said Pat Tolin, MCP Group CEO and director of preconstruction. “The team we have in place is set up for the next 50 years.” Whether it’s the 20 employees with 20-plus years of experience with }
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MCP Group is the general contractor completing the new Washburn University School of Law building.
the company or the more recently hired younger employees, MCP seeks people who are “humble, hungry and smart.” “Humble—humility is good for all of us. Hungry to do a good job; hungry to meet a client’s needs. And smart—people smart. Knowing how to read people and solve problems. This is a motto we live by,” said Tolin. Over the years, MCP has done work as far west as Oregon, as far east as Ohio, as far south as Texas and as far north as North Dakota, but primarily, they build in Kansas, Colorado, and Texas. To that end, the company has offices in Kansas City, Denver, and Steamboat Springs, Colorado. But through it all, Topeka remains the location of the headquarters.
MCP Group, which did a complete rebrand in 2018, recognized its official 50th anniversary on Oct. 17. They’ve been celebrating all year long and plan to have official festivities with MCP families in the spring of 2023. “Fifty years is an incredible accomplishment,” Tolin said. “Mike and Bruce started this company in Topeka, and this is our home. Topeka has been good to us, in the good times as well as the challenging times, and we intend to continue investing in our community by donating our time, talent and resources.” “MCP has been a vital part of the expansion, rejuvenation, and improvements of Topeka for the last 50 years, and we look forward to our continued work changing }
Photo by JOHN BURNS
Pat Tolin, CEO and Greg Stueve, COO of MCP Group tour the construction progress of the Washburn University School of Law building. the face of our city—making it a better place to live and grow and to raise a family. Topeka is a great place to build, and we take great pride when we are able to build in our own community.” Tolin said MCP is based on a strong foundation of delivering projects on time and within budget. “We pride ourselves on turning napkin sketches into successful projects,” he said. “We just like to roll up our sleeves and get to work for our clients, delivering a good, positive experience during the construction process.” Additionally, the top service that differentiates MCP is having an owner’s mindset.
“Having that mindset through planning and construction forges a strong foundation between builder and client, especially on remodel projects where they’re still occupying the building,” Tolin said. “We put ourselves in their shoes while working on their project. We think about things like controlling the noise, dust and traffic flow or just being supportive to the owner's needs.” Tolin said the construction industry is generally behind the curve when it comes to technology, so they’re always looking for ways to be innovative on that front to differentiate themselves. About 70% of MCP’s revenue each year is with repeat clients and most of them have been clients for five-plus years, said Tolin.
In general, business has picked up in the last few months for MCP, and many of the projects that were put on hold during the pandemic are starting to break loose. While 2020 and 2021 were slower years than they were used to seeing, MCP was able to stay sustainable and is now set up to expand in the next several years. “We are not interested in becoming the biggest contractor in the world, but we do want to grow and continue to be considered one of the best,” he said. “We strive to do that.” TK
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