Torch Award 2014
The Annual Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics was presented to two Abilene businesses at an award luncheon on the campus of Abilene Christian University. Nation Wide Products and Stinky Steve’s Septic and Grease were selected in the annual competition to honor outstanding examples of ethical business conduct. An independent panel of judges made up from the business and academic community select the winning companies from the nominees. The Torch Awards are held in partnership with our three Universities. The keynote speaker was Marelyn Shedd, President of First Financial Bank in Abilene. Shedd told the Torch Award audience her bank is taking steps to protect its elderly customers from fraud. BBB is assisting in the effort by providing alerts, warning and education about the many scams that target our senior populations. Shedd thanked BBB for its assistance in helping protect the elderly from financial fraud. Other partners include the Abilene Police Department and Adult Protective Services. Shedd asked the audience to assist in recognizing and warning our most vulnerable folks against financial fraud and exploitation.
The following businesses were recognized during the Torch Award Ceremonies
Stinky Steve’s Septic and Grease
2973 Elm Street
Arriving on the Abilene Business scene with a catchy name and the slogan we’re number 1 in the number 2 business, Stinky Steve’s Septic and Grease is a one man tour de force that just recently doubled its workforce. Owner Steve Savage is not new to the septic business having previously worked for a septic service company. He started his own company at this wife’s urging along with her help and support.
Size does matter especially in the septic business. Stinky Steve’s does the research to determine the customers size of tank thru the county environmental office. This way he gives “up front pricing.” Customers appreciate the honesty, one said, “Had him come out to pump our tanks almost a year after we moved in. He was very quick, but also very thorough. He helped me to understand more about my septic system. I could not recommend Steve enough if you have a septic system that needs attention.”
Nation Wide Products LLC
1301 S Treadaway
Nation Wide Products has a 14 year history in Abilene, having been acquired by the Darby family in 2000 and moved here from Ft. Worth. The business is outdoor faucet covers with a remarkable 95% market share. Their customers range in size from mega colossal to large regional wholesalers to mom and pop hardware stores and lumber yards across America. The company has earned a reputation of trustworthiness and integrity with their customers. Building trust with customers does not happen by accident. Nation Wide Products and its’ team are committed to operating with the core values of honesty, integrity and respect.
In 2009 the company added the A/C Safe Brand of products one of their customers had this to say about their foam coil cleaner, “Holy cow… what is this stuff a magic potion? …In a world of inferior products and false claims it is great to know there are still those that take what they manufacture very seriously! Thank you so much for this product. The results are astonishing!”
1st Alarm of Abilene
4115 N 1st
Turner Cariker arrived in Abilene in 1998 owning and operating the Merry Maids franchise. After several years of successful years of operating the maid service the company expanded into the alarm business. In 2002 First Alarm of Abilene was operating providing a full service commercial and residential alarm company.
The company continued to grow and expand to 100 mile radius of Abilene and in 2005 son Connor Cariker joined the firm. The most recent expansion of the business has been Alcom Systems which provides medical alert services for people in the Abilene area.
Countryside Homes
2618 US Highway 83
This family owned businesses started building homes in 1997 with just a few homes per year. Today it is one of the largest home builders in the area. The company’s commitment to ethics is evident in their Mission Statement: “Build the Best Quality Home Available at a fair price, always being Honest, Fair and Reliable.”
One of their customers told the judges, “Frank and Janis Langley are honorable people who can be trusted with a deal involving hundreds of thousands of dollars secured with a handshake. If there is any small business in Abilene that is worthy of an award for integrity, it’s Countryside Homes.” A supplier had this to say, “Franks reputation of honesty is second to none, his integrity is beyond reproach, his attention to detail is unquestioned, and his business acumen leaves nothing to be desired.”
Datroo Technologies
1292 N 1st
This 10 year old technology company specialized in Wide Area Network and local area network services and products, quality of service for voice, data and video networks and network security. Datroo Technologies had quickly grown and has customers all across America, their primary footprint is in Texas with offices in Abilene, Midland and the DFW area.
Earlier this year the company acquired a permanent home in downtown Abilene. Datroo has been renovating the property at 1292 N 1st. The historic building at first and Hickory will allow the company to expand on the bottom and upper floors. In fact, the company is going to move very soon, anyone willing to show up with gloves and a dolly is welcome.
Texas Aerospace
3550 Maple
Since 1967, Texas Aerospace Services has been an industry leader in the repair and overhaul of military aircraft components. They take pride in their quality work, on-time delivery and customer satisfaction. Throughout their 47 years of operation, the company has filled the military's need for responsive, high quality, and cost effective support worldwide.
Texas Aerospace’s work force consists of former military technicians with prior experience on repairable items, and they have repaired more than 50,000 items for the U.S. military and commercial customers.
In December of 2000, Mr. J. Tyler Morris purchased the company and shortly afterwards Cavin Hill joined the company as President. In 2012, Texas Aerospace acquired Hermann’s Machine Works on Treadaway and has since renamed the company to Lighthouse Gear & Tool and moved the operations to Interstate 20. The machine shop is part of a new venture named Lighthouse Global Energy which is focusing on Wind Energy and Oil & Gas services.
