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Bison Gear Celebrates 50 Years of Excellence

Feb 2, 2010 9:08 AM

Gearmotor manufacturer looks to skills training, R&D, and customer focus to continue successful American manufacturing legacy

Recently, over 200 employees of St. Charles, Ill.-based Bison Gear & Engineering Corp. gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of gearmotor manufacturer. Bison was established in 1960 by three Chicago area entrepreneurs who derived the company's name from their last initials, "B," "S," and "N." The company began as a producer of gears and currently manufactures gearmotors, electric motors, and gear reducers for hundreds of customers ranging from successful entrepreneurial OEMs to many multinational industrial and commercial equipment OEMs. As one example of its success, Bison gearmotors are used in a wide variety of foodservice equipment found in virtually every fast food establishment throughout the world.

"While Bison's continuous growth and development have been driven by our many loyal customers, to whom we are very thankful, it would not have been possible without the commitment to excellence that has driven our associates now for half a century, " says Ron Bullock, Bison chairman and owner. "Going forward, Bison's strong focus on skills training and research and development will ensure our next half century of success as an American manufacturer. "

Beginning as a producer of gears and designer of custom gear reducers, Bison's engineering expertise, quality systems, and production controls by the late 1960s were instrumental in Bison winning a contract to supply critical gear sets for use in surface-to-air missiles. Bison's continuous improvement efforts maintain that relationship through three generations of missile systems. By the 1970s, Bison had designed a line of standard gear reducers and gearmotors sold through national distribution.

In 1981, Ron Bullock joined Bison as VP of marketing and engineering and subsequently purchased the company in 1987. Shortly thereafter, Bison acquired Ram Tool Corp. as the basis for Bison's entry into DC motor production. In 1996, Bison's expanding standard product line of fractional horsepower gearmotors and its growing OEM customer base were accommodated by its move to a new 115,000-sq-ft production facility in St. Charles, Ill. Bison entered the 21st century as possibly the only American manufacturer investing in new domestic AC motor production in order to better serve its customers by shortening the supply chain, while yielding greater versatility.

Today, Bison employs Baldrige criteria for performance excellence and drives a Lean Six Sigma enterprise to ensure customer satisfaction, while still serving its first OEM customer. Entering its semi-centennial year, Bison continues with dynamic new product and technology introductions like its new 39 Frame AC motor line, which offers greater torque density in a smaller package, while extending Bison's line of Verdant Duty AC gearmotors.

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