STI/SPFA recently spoke with Coby Hayes, General Manager at J. L. Houston Company, about his career in the steel fabrication industry.
STI/SPFA: Tell us about the history of your company.
Coby Hayes: The J. L. Houston Company was founded in 1954 as a small family owned business producing metal culvert pipe and accessories. In 1967 the company expanded into the manufacturing of steel storage tanks, eventually making steel tank production the primary business focus. Continuing now for over 70 years, the company has become one of the biggest producers of UL listed aboveground storage tanks, and a go to resource for tank project solutions.
Now into the second generation of family leadership, The J. L. Houston Company is very proud of the loyal customer base we have established. This, along with our many long standing employees have us ready to continue our established values of honesty, and people first all the time, well into the future.
STI/SPFA: How did you get your start in the industry?
Hayes: Our current owner, Ron Houston, and my Dad had been friends for several years, and Ron was saying that with the way the business was growing, he was looking for someone that could come on board and work with him to learn and help lead the company into the future. That was in 1992. 34 years later I couldn’t be happier about that decision.
Being a smaller company, everyone has many functions, myself included. From purchasing, shipping, scheduling, to some human resources duties, I have currently settled into the role of leading the day to day operations of the company.
STI/SPFA: Who has inspired you in your career?
Hayes: First and foremost, it is the people. I have been very fortunate to work with a long tenured group, that like myself, some have been here for over 30 years. That being the case, you come to develop the same goals and care deeply about the end result and achieving it the right way. I have also developed many long-term customer relationships that have eventually turned into friendships.
Second, I love that no two days are alike. Everyday a different project comes with its own challenges. Working together as a cohesive unit is what makes coming to work interesting and enjoyable.
Des Moines Project
STI/SPFA: What has been the greatest challenge in your career?
Hayes: Understanding how to adjust to a changing workforce has been the greatest constant challenge. This requires adaptability, flexibility, and being a good listener to the voices around you.
Looking for the next leaders in our company is both challenging and ultimately rewarding. You learn to not give up on someone too soon as they might need more responsibility to help them, and the company, thrive. It is very gratifying to watch people mature and come up with their own way to solve a problem.
STI/SPFA: What advice would you give someone who is interested in working in the industry?
Hayes: Stay the course. There is more than one way to achieve a desired outcome. With hard work and perseverance this is a wonderful industry for a career. Be honest, stay humble, roll up your sleeves and go to work. Do this and you will find a very rewarding industry full of room for personal growth.
STI/SPFA: What do you think will be the biggest challenge facing the industry in the next three to five years?
Hayes: Developing skilled workers will be critical going into the future. Also keeping up with the constant changes in technology, and getting the proper training the workforce will need will be a challenge.
Managing a changing economy, current supply chain issues along with trucking and shipping issues will be added challenges.
STI/SPFA: How has STI/SPFA Membership helped you and your company succeed and grow in today’s marketplace?
Hayes: STI/SPFA has proved to be a valuable partner over the many years we have been a member. We have been able to be in on the ground floor with industry knowledge, and new technological advances that are constantly evolving in today’s marketplace.
Attending STI/SPFA meetings and events has allowed us to be a part of a wide networking range to build relationships and expand knowledge with like peers in our industry. These connections have proved extremely valuable to discuss ideas and head off potential problems as we all face similar issues in our day to day workplaces.
