Liquid Control Corp. knows its customers.
The North Canton-based manufacturer of liquid dispensing equipment has its 120 employees focused on finding solutions for its customers.
The company’s business model is based on helping prospects define their problems, then having existing equipment tailored to meet the specific need. This concept front-loads the customer-supplier relationship with a considerable amount of consultative service long before an order is placed.
With about 60 percent of business based on repeat customers, employees understand the importance of service.
“We’ve been very fortunate to have some good, long-term associations with some of our employees,” says Bill Schiltz, chairman and CEO of the company he founded in 1975. “The people that started with us early on believe in the concept, and as new people came in, it’s contagious. They’re committed to service because they see that we are based on the concept of doing everything right.”
Liquid Control will have a customer sign off on a machine’s performance — set up to its specs, running its applications — before it ever leaves the plant.
This focus on service has kept the company going through lean economic times. After 20 years of double-digit growth, the last three years have been challenging because of the slow economy.
The company has consolidated some operations into its new facility in North Canton to better utilize people and facilities. And unlike some companies, which are slashing everything during slow times, Schiltz is preparing for the inevitable recovery.
“It’s only a matter of time until the dam bursts,” says Schiltz. “Demand will pick up. We have started on an aggressive campaign of marketing, advertising and a Web site redesign. We have doubled our marketing budget, which was already a large part of our revenues.
“Sales are not there now, but we are building awareness that should put us in a much better position when the economy improves.” How to reach: Liquid Control Corp. (330) 494-1313 or www.liquidcontrol.com
