Local company celebrates 125th anniversary
Local company celebrates 125th anniversary
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As a cornerstone of the Warren business community, Betts Industries is celebrating 125 years of manufacturing excellence.
The tank-truck equipment manufacturer recently hosted an open house to mark the milestone. Last month’s event welcomed visitors with self-guided tours, live equipment demonstrations, and a look into the company’s rich historical legacy and product evolution. The cornerstone of the company's 125-year success is a deeply ingrained philosophy that has grown even clearer over the years. By living out their guiding principle to “Do What's Best,” the business consistently prioritizes its customers, employees, and community. These core values trace back to the company’s founder, Clifford Betts, whose humanistic approach remains the driving force behind its success to this day.
"That philosophy is reflected in our emphasis on being fair and honest in all business practices," said Ryan Betts, Betts Industries executive vice president.
In 1944, the company navigated a major transition by selling its foundry operations and moving its machining equipment to the current location – a strategic pivot that shifted its focus toward machined components.
By 1946, the company entered the cargo tank industry by producing a fabricated manifold valve for petroleum cargo tanks. Betts explained that it helped set the company on the path toward the industry that is served today. Diversifying with a separate facility which was built in 1956 was due to the demand for safety lighting systems increasing. The continued growth of the company led to multiple expansions of both of the manufacturing facilities in the Warren area.
“There probably isn’t one single turning point,” Betts said. “Surviving for 125 years has required the company to continually adapt.”
As manufacturing technology advances, they have invested in automation, robotics, CNC equipment, and improved processes, while continuing to develop and improve the products made. In order to prevent falling behind the company is investing in all components for success, including the equipment, products, processes and people.
It is clear that a huge part of the company’s success comes down to staying independent.
"I’ve joked before that we receive offers to purchase the company regularly and we’re more than happy to throw them in the garbage. That’s because family ownership gives us the ability to make decisions based on what we believe is right for the long term future of Betts rather than simply what produces the best short term financial result," said Betts.
The core values that emphasize their belief in remaining family focused directly impacts the relationships with their employees. Many employees spend decades working with Betts and connections to the company span multiple generations. Their core values described as a “family legacy of caring” extends to employees, customers, the community, and industry.
"Our philosophy is straightforward: everybody wants an opportunity to add value, and everybody wants to feel valued. Our job is to create an environment where both can happen."
Dave Minski has been employed as a machinist with Betts over the past eight years. He explained that lately, he has been doing more roll forming and fabrication work than operating cylindrical grinding machines, CNC mills, and lathes- what he was accustomed to at his past employers.
"It presented me with an entirely different set of challenges that were new to me, and it is an oddly satisfying job," Minski said. "I’ve run machines that cost over a million dollars that produced parts that sold upwards of $200,000 each, and now I’m rolling plates and placing them in a robotic welder."
With a diverse manufacturing background spanning electronic component soldering, quartz wafer slicing, and cylindrical grinding, Minski spent 15 years mastering CNC milling and turning systems at Ellwood National Crankshaft. In 2018, he joined Betts to secure a stable, first-shift schedule and continue applying his precision machining expertise.
Minski's career path did not forge out of academics but of experience. After a year at Penn State Behrend, he quickly found out his dislike for academia and found himself working in a machine shop in Erie. Advancement at Betts, along with cross-training in different work centers is highly encouraged.
"The more flexible the workforce is, the easier it is to meet production requirements and customer demands," Minski said. "If we meet production and sales goals, we get off early on Friday but get paid for the entire day, which is nice."
Ultimately, his steady climb through the ranks stands as a prime example of how continuous learning, a willingness to take on new challenges, and a strong work ethic translate into earned responsibility and long-term career success.
"I started as a Machinist I and continued to develop my skills and capabilities, earning a merit increase and then a promotion to Machinist II. During that time, I advanced equally in my profit sharing, which reflects the growth I have made along the way," Minski said.
With the intention of making it another 25 years to cross the 150-year mark, Betts pointed out how much technology has changed in a short time, emphasizing that their approach will remain the same through continuous adaptation, investment, and innovation.
"That means investment in new products and diversified markets, advanced manufacturing technology, automation and robotics, better processes, and most importantly, our people. We want to make sure manufacturing remains competitive here in Warren and that the next generation has the opportunity to build meaningful careers here," Betts said.
The generosity from their family foundation supports the upkeep of the well known Betts Park, as well as educational scholarships. Other supports across the board include involvement in human services, the local Struthers Library Theatre and the prosperity of the local animal shelter among many others. The community is continuously blessed by their contributions.
"Warren County is also an important part of our identity," Betts said. "In a world where companies often move away from their roots, we’ve continued to invest here. Our headquarters remains here, our facilities have expanded here, and generations of our employees have lived and raised their families here."