A collection of stories that celebrate who we are, where we came from and where we're headed.
Our vision is to create powerful connections. Because the better we can connect with each other, the closer we can bring the world together.
Norman Byrne was born on New Year’s Eve, 1940. He was the only boy in the family with 7 sisters and grew up on what was considered a small 150-acre family farm in Ada, Michigan. Norm’s father, Raymond, was a talented jack of all trades, passing on his mechanical skills to his son. Sadly, Raymond died when Norm was still in high school, leaving Norm the sole supporter of his mother and younger sisters living at home. Despite this great hardship, he pressed ahead through those final years of school while working too. After his high school graduation, Norm continued to work several part time positions, which led him to his first “real job” at Lear Siegler where they manufactured instruments for the government. It was there that he began to build specialized skills in a manufacturing setting – and became inspired about where his own future might be headed.
Life-changing struggles on their family farm. Norm’s early exposure to innovative manufacturing practices. These are the influences that build the character of a man – and a company – and can still be found in Byrne’s guiding principles of honoring tradition and pioneering change. bae ghiunmn ibnlge
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Where to look for our products, systems & solutions.
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POWERFUL DESIGN
razzle-da
Powerful People TM
zzle chopper chick
Gayla Pratt Byrne Shipping Lead
The twinkle in her eye. The fringe on her chaps. After about 30 seconds you’re thinking, “this woman needs her own action figure.” And it needs to come with a motorcycle. Gayla even met her husband-to-be at a Poker Run event. In fact, her favorite leather riding outfit was a special surprise from him—and when they married, she wore those leathers. While carrying a bouquet of flowers and spark plugs. Gayla’s fiercely independent attitude outside of Byrne makes her a perfect fit inside.
THE RO A D TO
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Time for a Knapp After more than a year of working out of the family basement—and actually, the whole house—Norm and Rosemary moved their quickly growing business to a small building on Knapp Street, about a mile from their house. The year was 1972, and it was at this new location that they began making parts for the automotive industry. Of course, Norm was still working full time at Grand Rapids Controls as well. During these early years, he’d come home for dinner—after a full day at Grand Rapids Controls—and then spend the rest of the evening over at Byrne Electrical. He worked himself ragged. They both did. But boy, was it exciting! KFORD
OFFTOTHE AMM ER MAN
Business grew steadily in Byrne’s early years, and in 1975, what was then known as Byrne Electrical moved to the Ammerman building downtown. At that time, Byrne was manufacturing over one million speaker leads a year for the Ford Motor Company. By adding molding capabilities, Norm plunged into another segment of the wire harness market, increasing the company's ability to meet customer demands. Further diversification would soon see them break into the office furniture market with customers like American Seating and Stow & Davis—a move that would change the course of this industry-leading company for decades to come.
RO AN D THE N THERE WA S ...
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As Byrne grew, it was soon evident that others could also manufacture the wiring harnesses they were offering. Highly competitive and commodity based, there wasn't much room for differentiation in this particular market. Norm felt strongly that he needed to become a “specialist,” offering custom power solutions. A one-of-a-kind supplier. So, Norm and Rosemary decided to move the expanding business to Rockford in 1979. The better part of a decade since they first began their enterprise, Byrne Electrical Specialists had finally found a new and permanent home.
Annetta Fisk always seems to have a jump on the day. It’s probably because she’s a farmer first. Each morning on her family’s farm at Fisk Knob in northeast Kent County, she’s up taking care of her animals...before taking care of business at Byrne.
Powerful design is all about the freedom to make something your own.
MARUMIYAN Fukuoka, Japan 2005 His artistic style, elaborate and generous—work that’s lled with oral elements, intense energy and bright colors. It draws on aspects of traditional Japanese culture and 1960s Art Nouveau posters. His bold style really appealed to Byrne when we selected him to create our rst artist nish back in 2005. The nal design, shown above, has been reproduced on a number of Byrne products and print materials over the years, and jumpstarted our ongoing tradition of partnering with artists to inspire creativity in everything we do.
Anyone who knows Byrne, knows that green is our color—and for a sustainability-driven company like ours, the word “green” packs a lot of power. It encompasses our participation in the EPA’s Green Suppliers Network, LEED certifications, ISO 140001 certifications, Cradle-to-Cradle, PVC-free initiatives, and BIFMA LEVEL®... just to name a few. Byrne’s efforts as a green manufacturer have always been about “walking the walk” and showing continuous improvement. “A lot of companies ‘green wash’ their sustainability activities with eco-friendly language and inflated claims,” says Byrne Chief Executive Officer, Dan Byrne. “But Byrne has committed to using third-party registrars and certification that validate our commitment to building genuinely sustainable products.” Understanding how to best navigate the gray in all this green and deliver the smartest, most environmentally- sound solutions is one more big benefit Byrne is able to deliver to its partners and customers alike. Every day. BYRNE CELEBRATES EARTH DAY – EVERY DAY – WITH 50 YEARS OF SUSTAINABILITY When you say, “Go Green!” We say, “Go Byrne!”
multi-talented
Powerful People TM
mud bogging queen
LizWirgau (1980-2018) Facilities Design Manager
Like our company, Liz was a study in contrasts. Bright, stubborn, with plenty of out-of-the- box thinking. She did everything from engineering to customer relations to transforming Byrne’s office workspaces. Which is why it’s no surprise to learn that she owned a bright pink, military issue Jeep, restored to compete in off-road mud bogging. Dubbed “Pink Lizzie,” it took her nearly six years to rebuild. And her heart was in every minute. "I always wanted a happy truck," she would say with a big grin. Mission accomplished.
Norm moved an expanding Byrne Electrical Specialists to Rockford in 1979, and when he did, he brought with him friend Bob Knapp (far left). Bob was a kindred spirit. Another tireless thinker and do-er – and a seasoned furniture industry professional – Bob helped to quickly enhance the company’s strength in everything from engineering to sales. Napkin- sketch brainstorming sessions? Sure thing. Long hours bringing those innovative ideas to life? Absolutely. The key partnership of these men helped propel the Byrne company from a simple supplier to a powerful and productive industry leader.
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ST. PATRICK’S DAY REMINDS OUR EMPLOYEES THAT SURVIVING, AND THRIVING, IS ABOUT MAKING YOUR OWN LUCK. For Byrne, St. Patrick’s Day is about more than simply heading out to raise a glass with friends. A lot more. Here, it’s a special day of recognition—an opportunity to show gratitude for one another and celebrate the never-quit mindset that’s intertwined into the company’s culture. It’s also a day to celebrate the story of each employee while honoring the struggles of immigration, personal sacrifice, and outright survival that have been woven into the lives of many of us. Founders Norman and Rosemary Byrne have always embraced their family’s history, and for Norm, that heritage reaches back to the rolling hills of Ireland. It’s an identity he wears proudly all year long—but when the calendar flips to March, that same energy begins to build across the organization and it’s time for this tightknit family of employees to joyfully revel in their own Irish pride. Byrne’s CEO, Dan Byrne, makes it his goal to ensure that “St. Patrick’s Day serves as a great reminder of who we are, where we each come from, and the amazing things we can accomplish when we all work together.” It’s also a time-honored way for the company to underscore its dedication to Byrne’s family of employees, their customers, and their community. In years past, St. Patrick’s Day has begun early with kiltsmen in traditional dress playing bagpipes and filling the air with Irish cheer. Byrne employees, as well as many vendors and customers, are treated to a breakfast feast including authentic Celtic favorites like bangers and mash. Afterwards, Norm and Rosemary, who have celebrated the day with their employees since the company began back in 1970, lead a parade across campus to whatever festivities await. In 2018, it was a spirited battle of the bands allowing Byrne employees to showcase their own musical skills. Nationally-ranked strongmen (shown here at our 2019 celebration), proved the perfect way to symbolize Byrne’s own strength, and the challenges we’ve overcome along the journey. All of us doing the heavy lifting – then and now – with the support of one big Irish family.
Mexico City, Mexico In 2006, Byrne Mexico was founded as a global partner to sell and distribute Michigan-made Byrne products throughout Mexico and Latin America. Today, they not only continue this original mission, but also manufacture our products for customers around the globe. Viva la Mexico, indeed!
Our First Patent Byrne’s first patent was United States’ patent number 4,551,577 for our Retractable Power Center. It was filed in 1983, the year before Steve Jobs even introduced the first Apple personal computer. Our founder and born tinkerer, Norm Byrne, always made it a point to foster a rich culture of invention and inclusion. With employee events like Pitchfest and Inventor Lunches, the next big idea was anyone’s to propose. (And they’d get the credit too!) Today, Byrne holds more than 661 patents and patents pending for products worldwide. We’ve come a long way from that first submission back in 1983 – but we’re still powered by Norm’s same focus on innovation, imagination and connecting people to what matters.
It’s this spark of inspiration that leads us to create products we hope will inspire others too.
EVGENY KISELEV St. Petersburg, Russian Federation 2005 “The work of Evgeny Kiselev spans across various mediums and illustration techniques. Yet the conceptual nature and complexity of his work never changes, it remains as always mesmerizing and leaves a feeling of being engulfed in a sort of dark hole of enlightenment, spiraling towards incredible yet inexplicable beauty.” We gravitated to his energetic—friendly but fearless—artistic approach when we asked him to create our second artist nish.
Mo Shay by the numbers; Mo came to America in 2012, graduated Kentwood High in 2015, married in 2019, has a total of 20 tattoos, lives with 1 pitbull named “Mom,” plays a 6-player game called Cane Ball and – lucky for Byrne – gives 110% every day.
After 50 years in business, the obvious question on the lips of everyone at Byrne is, “What’s next?” SO...WHAT’S NEXT? ‘What’s next’ is what we’re doing to continue our journey of transforming the way people power their lives – starting with our company-wide investment to digitize, simplify, and expand our production, our products, and our services to make Byrne smarter and easier to work with than ever before.
Much smarter and much easier, in fact.
For Byrne, Digital Transformation means simplifying our processes, increasing production efficiencies, controlling costs, empowering ease of ordering, improving insights, and enriching customer services. But, while we’re changing the way we do business, we’re not changing the way we go about our business. We’re still just as curious. Still just as innovative. Still ready to listen. And still ready to customize any and every project our customers can come up with. That will never change.
get ready to SNAP
TOIT!
Wow ... it’s almost here! After months of planning, Byrne’s NEW e-commerce site is ready to launch! Look for us to be up and running and accepting orders very soon. This is really big! The new site is going to mean some major changes – for Byrne and our customers. And we can’t wait to get you in there! $ Plug+Play Solutions Instant Pricing Online Chat
24/7 One-click Ordering
Lightning-fast Delivery
Loyalty Program
50
50Ye
THE RECOGNITION (AND THE CAKE!) IS GREAT, BUT THAT’S NOT WHY WE STAY SO LONG. Tim Warwick Vice President of Sales and Strategic Market Development Class of 1997
WE STAY BECAUSE WE LOVE IT; WHAT WE DO AND WHO WE DO IT WITH. THE PEOPLE ON THIS LIST ARE SPECIAL. THEY’VE BEEN WITH BYRNE FOR 10 YEARS OR MORE – CARRYING ON OUR CULTURE OF INNOVATION, INTEGRITY, AND INCLUSION. A CULTURE BUILT ON HELPING EACH EMPLOYEE SUCCEED. THANK YOU! YOU’RE THE BEST AND WE APPRECIATE EVERY ONE OF YOU – BIG TIME!
Gary Miller, Class of 1972 Loren Huhn, Class of 1982 Annetta Fisk, Class of 1984 Carolyn Klahn, Class of 1985 Bridgett Ludtke, Class of 1987 Robert Richards, Class of 1987 Judith Middleton, Class of 1988 Candis Nielsen, Class of 1988 Teresa Bates, Class of 1989 Arlene Warwick, Class of 1990 Melissa Kilts, Class of 1999 Michael Price, Class of 1992 Michelle Gotwalt, Class of 1994 Angela Flanagin, Class of 1996 Anisa Mortensen, Class of 1996 Laurie Roesly, Class of 1997 Tina Flanagin, Class of 1997 Terry Myers, Class of 1997 Wayne Sobie, Class of 1997 Tim Warwick, Class of 1997 Roxann Griffes, Class of 1998 Dawn Jones, Class of 1998 Armando Villa, Class of 1998 Trevor Kolasa, Class of 1999 Ginny Boogaard, Class of 1999 Israel Ramirez, Class of 1999 Mark Scooros, Class of 1999 Matt Whipple, Class of 1999 Danielle Cavanaugh, Class of 2000 Elizabeth Butler, Class of 2000 Daria Davila, Class of 2000 Francelia Tavera, Class of 2000 Elena Rios-Ramirez, Class of 2000 Sotero Sanchez, Class of 2001
Brenda Starr, Class of 2001 Bertoldo Maldonado-Sanchez, Class of 2001 Brenda Honeycutt, Class of 2002 Jerry VanderTill, Class of 2002 Maria Villa, Class of 2002 Bernardita Maldonado, Class of 2003 Christine Hawley, Class of 2004 Ebelia Martinez, Class of 2004 Araceli Sosa-Ramirez, Class of 2004 Nicacia Ramirez, Class 2005 Joseph Castiglione, Class of 2005 Shawna Milligan, Class of 2005 Irene Vega, Class of 2005 Matt Andree, Class of 2006 Ted Henning, Class of 2006 Zorayda Husar, Class of 2006 Vernita Moreno, Class of 2006 Katie Porter, Class of 2006 Melissa Jaramillo, Class of 2007 Jessica Hubbard, Class of 2007 Justin Main, Class of 2007 Sheila Mier, Class of 2007 Rose Moore, Class of 2007 Arturo Ramos, Class of 2007 Charles Elliott, Class of 2008 Oscar Maldonado, Class of 2008 Cindy Cobb, Class of 2008 Marie Engle, Class of 2008 Christina Keur, Class of 2008 Sharon Baldwin, Class of 2010 Maximino E. Barriga-Jarquin, Class of 2010
Jaclyn Mourer, Class of 2010 Sandy Smith, Class of 2010 Brenda Welch, Class of 2010 Cynthia Reisner, Class of 2011 Ashley Balfoort, Class of 2011 Laurie Denslow, Class of 2011 Michelle Brodock, Class of 2011 Rosalba Castaneda, Class of 2011 Jose Damaso, Class of 2011 Karen Farley, Class of 2011 Enorina Gutierrez-Silva, Class of 2011 Helen Hitts, Class of 2011 Cassie Lagunas, Class of 2011 Sandra Miller, Class of 2011 Candace Price, Class of 2011 Nancy Revaz, Class of 2011 Toni Smith, Class of 2011 Betty Spence, Class of 2011 Barbara Wagner, Class of 2011 Norma Gonzalez, Class of 2012 Martin Stemen, Class of 2012 Joshua Brainard, Class of 2012 Esteban Damaso, 2012 Elizabeth Estrada, Class of 2012 Julie Fluger, Class of 2012 Teresa Free, Class of 2012 Shane Gee, Class of 2012 Brandy Mourer, Class of 2012 Kathy Nalley, Class of 2012 Martha Salcedo, Class of 2012 Amie Sharp, Class of 2012 Jessica Titus, Class of 2012 James Vanderlaan, Class of 2012 Sheila Yeakey, Class of 2012
Jodi Carpenter, Class of 2010 Edith Laisure, Class of 2010 Julie McGuire, Class of 2010 Richard Meng, Class of 2010
List represents individuals currently employed at Byrne for 10 years or longer.
a m
Powerful People TM
other like no other
Rosemary Byrne Co-founder of Byrne Electrical Specialists
Mom’s just get it done. In Byrne’s early years, along with raising the children, cleaning the house and making meals, Rosemary cut wire, installed terminals, assembled parts, kept the books, made deliveries – and worked two days weekly as a registered nurse. Today, Rosemary still acts as a professional mom of sorts. She’s the one who plans the parties. Coddles grandchildren. Surprises long-time workers with trips and gifts. Singles out by name those responsible for Byrne’s successes. Hands out the bonus checks every quarter. And it’s Rosemary who watches out for husband Norm in all the ways no one else might dare. Though of Irish extract, it turns out he’s not exactly a talented tenor. Or bass. “He sings so poorly,” says Rosemary, “I had to ask him to stop, even in church.”
POWER TOTHE PEOPLE!
Covid created all sorts of problems for the way the world goes to work. But these big problems can also generate big solutions. For us, inspiration led to the creation of our Charg™ brand – easy to install, clutter killing kits that let users put power right where they need it. And, as part of our comprehensive omni-channel, go-to-market strategy, new partnerships with Big Box stores put our power kits on the websites and aisles of major retailers all across North America.
Norm and Rosemary’s basement – the orginal Byrne workshop – was a crazy, cluttered, magical place where the “what if?” came to life. All of these decades later, Byrne still boasts a crazy, cluttered, magical place where the “what if?” comes to life. It’s called our Spark Lab , named for those original sparks of inspiration. And of course the occassional sparks of electricity all that inspiration generates. Oh, and it’s still in the basement.
It was the 80’s. A time when telephones were still attached to the wall, MTV was making music history, and the cubicle with its tackable panels was all the rage at the office. Byrne was busy selling power to companies like Stow & Davis and American Seating, and with each new panel project came different challenges. Different pieces. Different parts. Month after month, the Byrne crew worked to supply customers with a string of different power fixes, until finally Norm and his brainstorming buddy, Bob Knapp, decided to make a change. The two bet the farm that they could solve the problem in a new – and better – way. They were looking for an innovative power solution Byrne could finally call its own. A way to disrupt the status quo and turn the pieces and parts contract furniture industry on its ear. Enter 8-Trac. Like nothing else on the market, 8-Trac proved one heck of a disruptor in a number of ways. Where there used to be a bushel of components to order, there was now simply one power harness making it a whole lot easier to specify. This new solution deftly addressed issues like panel creep with adjustability that made it a lot more accommodating. The power box could be reconfigured for added
flexibility too. And unlike old panel power that had to be installed in the factory, this new harness could be installed in the field, making it more end-user friendly. It was finally putting people at the center of the solution. It was, in fact, Human Centered Design before anyone even knew to call it that. They just told us it was “totally radical!” And it was. The best part? It still is. Even after those paneled cubicles fell out of fashion, 8-Trac’s power has lived on and on in all sorts of modern workspaces where people need power and plenty of it. With one of the longest lifecycles in the industry, this durable beauty was built to last from the very start – and proved a giant leap forward in helping define Byrne as a groundbreaking power partner.
HANDNCRAFT.COM
Dan Byrne with Dal Pau, one of six Byrne employees who celebrated their newly minted citizenship in 2020.
BYRNE MAKES EMPLOYEES’ DREAMS OF U.S.CITIZENSHIP A REALITY.
Buchanich, Byrne’s Vice President of Human Resources. “We know it’s a lengthy commitment and this is just our way of congratulating them on such an important accomplishment.” People like Dal Pau, a member of our Byrne Special Forces team. Originally from Myanmar, Dai came to the United States after fleeing his country and living as a refugee in Malaysia. After his arrival, he soon found a place with us, and in the years that followed, he worked hard to learn English and U.S. history with the hopes of becoming an American. “As long as I can remember,” says Dan Byrne, Byrne’s CEO, “our company has celebrated the struggle and unique journey of our employees. Each story is personal—and it’s in our DNA to recognize the struggle and success of each step along the way.”
At Byrne, we honor diversity, intentionally seeking out people from different backgrounds, perspectives and ideas into our workforce. Whether immigrants, refugees, or asylum seekers – each of these individuals has their own story, but for many, their dream is the same: to become a U.S. citizen. And over the years, several have done just that. So, in the 1980s, we began celebrating this important milestone more formally, with the recognition we felt it deserved. For these exceptional individuals, Byrne offers to provide reimbursement on citizenship test application fees, a paid day off to attend the citizenship ceremony, and even an in-house celebration that includes the gift of their own U.S. flag. “Knowing that our own Byrne family originally immigrated to the United States and the challenges they faced, we really wanted to honor these team members of our Byrne family of employees who have taken the initiative to become citizens, says Sandy
RALPH WALDO EMERSON ONCE SAID, “AMERICA IS ANOTHER NAME FOR OPPORTUNITY.”
At Byrne, we couldn’t agree more and we couldn’t be happier to do everything we can to help our Byrne family of employees enjoy all the opportunities this incredible country has to offer as fellow U.S. citizens.
People are at the center of everything we do, and we couldn’t be more proud of our family of employees at Byrne. We work to promote an atmosphere of respect and trust – one that encourages healthy dialogue and honors diversity, fueling creativity and innovation. Part of making Byrne a great place to work also means giving our employees the tools they need to help achieve their own goals – professionally and personally.
People like Alina Albin, a Digital Marketing Specialist and U.S. resident since 2014, who first visited from Romania on a travel program to Beaver Island where she fell in love with our beautiful Michigan summers— and her husband, John. Alina received her U.S. Citizenship on July 28th, 2020. We are so proud to have her on our team—and now also a part of our United States citizenry— after six years of waiting!
We work with Detroit-based partner Shinola to create power that inspires.
tirel
Powerful People TM
ess teaching talent
Chris Maddox Lakeview Plant Manager
Chris had been working on her degree for nearly a decade, when she left Byrne to pursue a full-time teaching job out of state. Then her dad's health declined, and she needed to return. Luckily, there was an opening for a plant manager back at Byrne. A new classroom of sorts. Where her perfect combination of passion and compassion would be a perfect fit. Now, she finds herself working with other employees as a leader. A counselor. A mentor. Because when you're like Chris, you see opportunities to teach—and to learn—everywhere.
“There’s been a whole lot of brainstorming inside our big red barn... and a lot of big ideas have come out of it.” Matt Andree Director of Engineering
Never. Stop. Improving. Thanks to Norm; operational excellence, continual process improvement, and lean manufacturing methods have been a part of our Byrne culture since day one. But on a stop in Japan while exploring new manufacturing practices in Asia, Norm heard the word “Kaizen.’ Translated, the definition of Kaizen is about getting a group together to spend a dedicated amount of time making continuous changes, no matter how small, to improve the production process. Upon hearing the definition Norm said, “That sounds like common sense manufacturing to me!” – and the term ‘CSM’ was born at Byrne. Byrne executes nearly fifteen CSM’s a month; from setting up more efficient production processes to cleaning out warehouses to integrating new techniques that streamline our global supply chains.
WE WORK HARD.
REALLY HARD.
YES,
AND WE PLAY
EVEN
Opportunity bythe Barrels Since Rockford-based Byrne – an industry leader in power
and data solutions – opened their Lakeview facility back in 2016, the question they get the most is, “What’s up with all the pickles?” Known to employees and customers alike as Pickle Docks, the Byrne facility is built on the same site as an old factory originally owned by the Michigan Pickle Company and later purchased by Heinz. The factory closed its doors over 50 years ago – and the town has been waiting since then for someone to reclaim and revitalize the land. The pickle business had supplied a great many jobs for the community and was responsible for helping to put this Michigan town on the map. Located on the south side of scenic Tamarack Lake, the waterfront factory was dubbed “The Pickle Docks” by locals. Today, decades later, Byrne’s latest development has breathed new life into the property and the town of Lakeview with a 15,000 square foot manufacturing and collaborative workspace.
Byrne’s presence in Lakeview – only 45 minutes from its headquarters in Rockford – has allowed them to expand production capabilities while adding new jobs, providing job training, and contributing new tax dollars. Lakeview is a tough town steeped in tradition and the company is proud to help generate renewed energy and purpose for the area. Since the facility opened, job growth has continued to bolster the community – through Byrne’s own efforts as well as other employers following the manufacturer’s lead. As part of a further revitalization of the Lakeview area, Byrne recently added another abandoned distribution facility to the mix, giving it a new lease on life as space dedicated to innovative company projects. Employees call this new addition “Gherkin” – the smaller pickle.
“Working for Byrne started out as ‘just a job’ until I figured out what I wanted to do when I grew up. But it turned into a 32-year career all thanks to the Byrne family and co-workers seeing and believing in my potential. I also love that Byrne invested in my home town of Lakeview. It’s given people jobs and created economic growth for other local businesses. It’s nice to see my small town thriving. - Teresa Bates
INTERN INSPIRATION
Byrne has always been about championing powerful connections across the community and nowhere is that more evident than in their Annual Internship Program. Each year, the Byrne team welcomes young people to participate, helping provide extensive experience in molding, manufacturing, marketing, human resources, engineering, sales, hospitality, events and finance. Our internships may not take place in a classroom, but it’s a valuable education these students could only find in a real-world business setting. Dan Byrne, Byrne’s CEO, says he remembers the program actually originating back in the late-1990’s with Susan Mead, a 25-year retired veteran of Byrne, with a teaching degree. A longtime teacher prior to her years at Byrne, Susan was passionate about educating young people and encouraged some of her school colleagues to recommend students who could come in and spend time at Byrne. Susan pioneered this ad hoc initiative and grew it into a more official undertaking over the next decade. Since then, the Byrne team has recruited through colleges, employment websites, and social media. Byrne’s Annual Internship Program Creates Opportunities For The Next Generation to Make A Real Difference.
Our outstanding intern class of 2021
Then, in 2020, things changed. While the program did offer a few virtual internships, in-person participation was forced to hit pause due to pandemic restrictions and many at Byrne found themselves deeply missing the arrival of the new interns. “These kids come from diverse backgrounds and varied life experiences. They’re volunteers, they’re leaders on their college campuses, but they all share a real willingness to learn,” says Shannon Kelly, a Human Resource hiring expert currently managing the Byrne internship program. “There’s a lot of talent out there. These young people generate great ideas, year after year, and help even our veteran employees look at problems in new ways.” Out of the nearly 80 interns that have spent either a summer or winter session at Byrne, several have been offered professional positions with 15 permanently joining the Byrne team. Brent Showers, a Byrne intern in 2019, was brought on as a full-time employee following his graduation from Davenport and now works as a Business Systems Analyst. “The biggest thing that my internship gave me was an understanding of the work environment. Being a family-owned company, it felt like a really different experience. During my internship, I could see myself spending every day here and coming to work to enjoy some great relationship – and a lot of fun.”
Each intern, regardless of the department they’re joining, has the unique opportunity to spend a week on the manufacturing floor as part of their required onboarding program. It’s a practice that applies to new employees as well, and is a pivotal part of understanding Byrne products from the ground up. Of course, Byrne’s “work hard, play hard” philosophy also includes their interns, as these young people become part of company team building activities and events. When it’s finally time to head back to school, each intern ends their Byrne journey with a report-out of the projects they were involved with and an evaluation of their time working with the company. “We’ve become domain experts on internships,” says HR Director Sandy Buchanich. “Through these programs we support our community and share our talents with this next generation, but we reap countless benefits as well. We increase our bandwidth, expand our culture and even help create an incredible pool of talented candidates who may join our team as full-time employees.” For Byrne students and employees alike, it’s a culture of goodwill that often extends beyond the length of the internship itself – and far beyond Byrne’s own walls.
Norm Byrne with our original internship program champion, Sue Mead.
Putting power where it needed to be and killing clutter in the office were Byrne benefits way back when the typewriter was still the star of the modern day desktop. (Also pictured, pencils.)
There’s a certain kind of pride that comes with powering through whatever it takes to win, no matter how hard or how bad it is. That’s what Embracing the Suck is all about at Byrne. Roll up your sleeves and do it ‘til it’s done. It might mean winning ugly, but it’s winning!
burmes
Powerful People TM
e american pioneer
Peter Ding 2nd Shift Production Set Up
There's bravery that presents itself in big, broad strokes. And then there's the quiet kind that comes from one man’s dream to change his life. Born in Malaysia, Peter watched others struggle with limits on personal freedom. This wasn't the life he wanted. So, he said goodbye to friends and family and set out for America. Today, Peter is married to Maria (another Byrne team member) and they have three kids. He also serves as an elder in a small church. An important leader there, he speaks Tedim, the language of many fellow refugees. For this congregation, he is a point of connection—between what was and what can be. That connection to the past, with an eye on the future, embodies Byrne’s belief in the value of honoring tradition and pioneering change.
Pick a color. Any color. Don’t be afraid to customize.
DAN MARCEAU Detroit, Michigan 2016 When we commissioned this up-and-coming artist back in 2016, we invited him over to Byrne, gave him the tour and lled him in a bit on who we are. Then, we asked him to create a piece of art for us that represented a community. An ecosystem. He ended up inventing a whole undersea world, drawing on our founder’s history in the marine and boating industry. Each character speaks to some aspect of our work life here at Byrne, and the things we value—from the stingray’s exibility to the turtle’s generational diversity. We really loved the idea that there’s special meaning throughout... swimming just below the surface.
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doing what we can,
Our main address is in Rockford, Michigan. But our reach extends across the globe. where we can, for everyone we can.
Giving back has been part of our DNA ever since our company first began. We believe that joy and fulfillment come from giving as much or more than what you receive – those are the values Norm and Rosemary Byrne brought to the table back in 1971. One of our earliest efforts in assisting others began shortly after establishing ourselves in Rockford, upon realizing many of our workers needed quality childcare. So Rosemary and daughter Kathy – leaning on faith and gumption – established Wee Folk Child Care Center in 1989. Today, it flourishes as a fully accredited public facility for both Byrne employees and the community. For decades, we’ve also supported efforts that advance English as a second language, or ESL. We have helped scores of our employees – many who hail from foreign countries – learn English en route to earning their U.S. citizenship. We’ve partnered with Rockford-based Nugent Builders on a number of donated construction projects, offered financial support to Gilda’s Club of Grand Rapids, North Kent Connect, ArtPrize, Rockford Chamber of Commerce, Kids’ Food Basket and many others. Norm and Rosemary Byrne sponsors scholarships and educational programs at several universities and area high schools as well. One of our newest philanthropic partners is Sleep In Heavenly Peace, an organization that helps build beds for local children in need. During the pandemic, we donated products to support frontline workers and healthcare staff, including face shields created by our own Byrne Tool + Design. All that said, we’re just as proud of the ways our employees support one another in times of need. Without fanfare, they’ve banded together to help co-workers who have suffered a house fire, are in need of medical intervention, or just require a boost between paychecks. After pulling together an event to support our communities, we often gather to celebrate its success. And those celebrations are usually something pretty special. But what else would you expect from an Irish company founder who claims to be half-leprechaun?
Gary Miller was the first employee ever hired at Byrne – and he’s still going strong 48 years later.
dr
Powerful People TM
ag racing daredevil
Sue Zaverl Warehouse Supervisor
Sue's been a risk-taker since about birth, but drag racing was never on her radar. Until she started spending time with her now fiancé of 20 years. He grew up around the sport and later took Sue along. A few years back, she heard about a racing competition for the ladies— and decided to give it a go. Not only did she make it across the finish line…she went home with the first place trophy. Scary? Nah. Sue says she enjoys a little “controlled danger.” From a company that knows a little something about risk taking, all we can say is, “Go, Sue, go!”
Shareholders Left to Right: Kelly Bearden, Kathy Scudder, Norman Byrne, Rosemary Byrne, Molly Denman, Dan Byrne.
We started by manufacturing discreet wire harnesses for the marine and automotive industries. Started – but soon strayed. Because shortly after establishing ourselves in those sectors, people began bringing us other power problems that needed solving. Sketches of ideas for powering construction equipment. Ideas about how to hook up power in household appliances. Ballpark scoreboards that needed to light up at night. (Baseball at night? Talk about crazy!) But as it turned out, we had a real knack for creating customized solutions to solve unsolvable power problems, crazy or not. That DESIRE to crack the code, no matter how hard or how hair-brained, is really the secret to our sauce. It’s what attracts the kind of people with the kind of curiosity, tenacity and talent who make Byrne...Byrne.
BMOR is short for Byrne Move Out Report . Plant Manager Chris Maddox came up with it back in the early 2000’s. Before then, we weren’t really tracking the orders that missed their ship dates. We did our best and that was that. Anyway, it felt kind of negative to only note the deadlines we were missing. So we switched it up, instead counting the number of days we didn’t have to move any ship dates. And we do love to celebrate a good run. Our longest streak? Over 140 days straight! More carrot, less stick. And just one more way to BMOR supportive of this incredible Byrne crew.
do more. BMOR
Erica Lang Grand Rapids, Michigan 2017 When we asked her to create Byrne’s graphic inspiration for 2017, we invited her to visit Byrne rst and see what we do. After her visit, she told us what struck her about Byrne was a strong sense of interconnectedness. This person helping that person. A shared ecosystem. It reminded her of a story she had heard about trees “communicating” with each other through a common fungal network. These connections allow the trees to support each other—and make the forest stronger as a whole. In her woodcut, roots intertwine like cords, charging and strengthening the whole system. A large sun sits above—the ultimate power button. For Erika, it was all about that connection and the support that comes from an energized community. In design, like so many things, don’t underestimate the power of connection. interconnectedness. This person helping that person. A shared she had heard about trees “communicating” with each other through a common fungal network.
WOOSAH
Bringing power to the powerless is what brings us joy.
honor tradition. pioneer change.
The world is a different place than it used to be.
As technologies change, and the needs of our customers change, so do we. We’re in the business of powerfully connecting people. Our entrepreneurial spirit and innovative thinking means creating solutions that are as smart as they can be. Scalable. Sustainable. With our customers at the center of every decision – right where they belong. We never run from change. We embrace it. And as we pioneer new processes to meet the evolving needs of how people work and live, we never forget where we’ve come from. Whether looking backwards or straight ahead, for all of us here at Byrne, it all comes down to one question – how can we make things better for the people who use our products?
It’s just the way we’re wired.
byrne ar
Powerful People TM
tist extraordinaire
Ann Sokolowski Plant 1 Manager
Without formal training, Ann has jumped into the unofficial role of Byrne's artist-in- residence. Her first opportunity came in winning a company-wide design contest. Then she decided to try her hand, literally, at origami and entered Byrne's We Make Art competition. She won again—this time, an all-expense paid trip to Chicago. While Ann's adventures have often been about introducing herself to new art—with this latest win, her art is the one initiating a new adventure.
TWO BROKEN STEPS
When Norm Byrne left Electrical Assemblies in 1971 to start making boat harnesses in his basement, it wasn’t because he knew he had a sure thing. Hardly. This leap of faith was fueled by Norm’s drive to create his own business. Of course, he could have called it quits after his partner ran off with all their seed money. Instead, he got creative, betting the farm with high interest lenders because the banks weren’t approving loans to start ups. The business became a true family affair when the big Artros wire cutter came down the stairs to the basement of their house – and took out the last two steps! Their first factory was a 12’ x 12’ room and sales for that first year totaled a whopping $19,000. Norm was also working full time as plant manager for Grand Rapids Controls, with only evenings and weekends to assemble his own parts. Rosemary cut wires, kept the books, and made most of their deliveries too – all while still working three days a week. Norm didn’t take any salary from the start up for the first five years. He and Rosemary continued to grow the business and the house was filled with Byrne everywhere you looked – even the family kitchen doublied as a test lab.
Being fiercely independent is a core value for Byrne, but there’s always room to hang a little humor on our walls.
Many businesses work to make things. Fewer businesses work to make things better.
Shinola fit squarely into that second category—with a spirit that understood and embraced the value of an object well- made, while working to bring jobs and opportunity to their beloved city of Detroit. And it was this celebration of great design in everyday objects that served as the inspiration for Shinola’s new Power Supply products. When Shinola reached out to us back in 2016 to bring their vision to life, we knew pretty quickly that it was more than just an order to be filled. Although the whole power project was new ground for them, it’s what we do…and we’re good at it. We’d been in the power business for over four decades at that point—right here in West Michigan—and nothing makes us happier than forging partnerships with other local companies that value community, quality, and innovation. Partnering with Shinola also led to some exciting growth here at Byrne, including the construction of our new Pickle Docks facility in Lakeview, Michigan. It was a move which brought jobs back to a historic Michigan community that, years ago, saw a factory close on the land where our building stands today. A building where—every day—we assemble Power Supply products worthy of the Shinola name. And ours.
When Shinola reached out to Byrne to bring their vision to life, we knew pretty quickly that it was more than just an order to be filled.
Just keep truckin’ on! This particular vehicle may no longer be on the road, but the idea of delivering the best power products to the best customers in the world is still a driving force here at Byrne.
Nancy Revas is known to folks on the production floor simply as ‘Nar.’ Over her many years at Byrne, Nancy Revas has trained, taught, told, or tutored nearly everyone here at Byrne in one way or another.
CERTA ETVIC I STRUGGLE, I SUCCEED.
AVI
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At Byrne, we ask that you commit just one Latin phrase to memory and action: “Certavi Et Vici.” Translated, it means “I struggle, I succeed.” and it’s an apt way to describe the way we approach our work and deal with expectations. Founder Norm Byrne actually practiced this axiom back in the late 1950s when, as a member of the Lowell High School track & field relay team, he dropped the baton during an exchange. And still won the race. And set a record in the process. Today, the desire to fight the good fight and finish the race fuels our company and its employees much the same way as Certavi Et Vici reflects the character of the gritty Irish stock from which Norm himself is descended. “Sometimes,” says Norm’s son and CEO Dan Byrne, “we’ll encourage people to consider taking the longer, harder road. Why? Because you can often learn more that way. It defines who we are: Resilient. Inventive. Tenacious.” Adds Vice President of Operations, John Willcox: “We’re survivors at Byrne. And we build from that assertion by drawing to another mantra that’s popular among us: ‘Honor tradition; pioneer change.’”
Many of Byrne’s values can be traced to the early lives of Norm and Rosemary, both of whom grew up poor on farms and learned to fend for themselves, going for years without electricity or indoor plumbing. They never considered it a hardscrabble life, just the table set for them. As they grew and matured, they created opportunities for themselves, and armed with positive attitudes and the grace of God, they forged a path that allowed them to bring others along for the ride. Today, Byrne is comprised of employees who hail from all corners of the globe—Mexico, Myanmar, Vietnam, Nebraska, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, China and elsewhere. So many languages are spoken here. But everyone comes to know just a little bit of Latin.
BYRNE. WE STRUGGLE, WE SUCCEED.
If you can dream it, we can build it. It’s just the way we’re wired.
NICK NORTIER Grand Rapids, Michigan 2019 When we asked him to create a piece of art depicting his impressions of Byrne, it all came back to…gears. They’re everywhere. Turning across Byrne departments. Moving individuals as one. All perfectly interconnected. Nick wanted to visually underscore the idea that when we succeed, or when we fail, we do so together. And that really spoke to us. Here, his fantastic ying world—our company—generates its own power, sailing untethered toward the next adventure. In the end, you might say that Nick’s illustration captured some essentials truths for Byrne. Work through every gear you have. Work together. And do your best to keep those wheels turning. company—generates its own power, sailing untethered toward the next adventure. In the end, you might say that Nick’s illustration captured some essential truths for Byrne. Work through every
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TO KNOW US IS TO FORGET VIRTUALLY EVERYTHING ELSE ABOUT THE OTHER PLACES YOU’VE WORKED.
We work hard and play hard. We celebrate ourselves. And we’re not the right fit for everyone. Because in a word, we’re a little unconventional. Don’t get us wrong. We collaborate and compete on a global level, producing some of the best electrical components out there. We’re poised for the future, filled to the brim with quality employees. But we have been known to embrace disruptors and cheer the non-conformists. Consider, for instance that we might gather a group of people all seeking the same job and interview them together. Or we’re apt to ask what drives you crazy. We’ve been known to drop candidates for an administrative position into a manufacturing role to start. Or ask you to show up for your first interview with shirtsleeves rolled and boots in hand – and start working on the manufacturing floor that same day. At Byrne, it’s our nature to be flexible and accept change. We call it “navigating the gray,” because restricting things to black and white creates walls and inhibits growth. We put a lot on people’s plates, but we’d never ask someone to do what the rest of us aren’t already are doing – pulling for the team. And we don’t take that team spirit lightly. We’re notorious for lifting up one another, especially when there’s a critical need. Our culture is naturally celebratory – picnics, holiday gatherings, summer concerts, you name it. And with an Irish name like Byrne, well, St. Patrick’s Day is more than just another day on the calendar. So don’t be surprised when someone from the front office pushes a cart full of ice cream bars through the plant on the next hot afternoon.
BYRNE. NOT YOUR EVERYDAY PLAYBOOK.
“We’ll explain the process up-front, because we don’t want to surprise people,” says V.P. of Human Resources, Sandy Buchanich. “But we’re looking for a good fit. And if, for instance, you’re the sort of person who needs a clear vision of something from beginning to end, well....”
It’s kind of our battle cry. It says, “ THIS IS WHAT WE DO AND WE’RE REALLY PROUD OF IT! ” It says that Byrne has been busy creating industry-leading power systems and accessories, right here in the U.S.A., for five decades. It says that our world- class problem-solving power solutions help people connect with ideas, information, and each other. Every day. And it underscores that the work we do has a real impact on the lives of individuals – locally and around the globe. We make a powerful difference. WE MAKE BYRNE.
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