Finalist: Allen Filters

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It has been a long road for Allen Filters, and it certainly hasn't been a smooth one. But the Springfield-based business has found solid pavement again.|ret||ret||tab|

"Some days looked pretty bleak," said Katherine Allen Simon, president and chief executive officer of Allen Filters. "We had our challenges. We have persevered through hardship."|ret||ret||tab|

Allen Filters is a finalist this year for the W. Curtis Strube Small Business of the Year Award, presented by the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. This is the first time in the 53-year history of the company that it has been a finalist.|ret||ret||tab|

Allen Filters, the 1990 U.S. Small Business Administration Exporter of the Year for Missouri, makes fluid filtration and oil recycling systems designed to purify a wide variety of industrial lubrication oils. In addition, Allen Filters designs and manufactures pollution-control equipment for wastewater purification.|ret||ret||tab|

Simon, who became a third-generation president/CEO for the company in 2000, said being a finalist for the W. Curtis Strube Small Business of the Year Award gives Allen Filters a chance to recognize those who have helped the company.|ret||ret||tab|

"It gives us the opportunity to recognize local firms who gave us their support our accountant, Whitlock, Selim and Keehn, and Empire Bank," Simon said. |ret||ret||tab|

"We can't do it without solid support of key backers, employees and customers. Of course, we've got to have a quality product, too.|ret||ret||tab|

"It's really an honor for us. I really have a commitment to speak on behalf of all small manufacturers. We are proud to be recognized because we've had our ups and downs and had our challenges."|ret||ret||tab|

Simon said the company's biggest challenge came during the late 1980s and early 1990s.|ret||ret||tab|

"Internal discord, new competition and a lack of internal systems and procedures in place to respond to the growing complexity in the industry led to a serious downturn," said Simon. |ret||ret||tab|

"After an internal buy-out, we put a plan in place to salvage the company. Five steps have been key to the company's turnaround: First, we reassured both customers and suppliers that the long-standing company could survive. Second, we forged new banking relationships and renegotiated supplier terms to balance production and cash-flow needs. Third, we established good accounting procedures and job-costing controls. Fourth, we have made new investments in production equipment, technical expertise and sales and marketing. Lastly, we are using strategic planning to capitalize on the new strengths of the company to identify additional opportunities."|ret||ret||tab|

And those opportunities abound for Allen Filters. As environmental regulations continue to tighten worldwide, the recycling business booms.|ret||ret||tab|

"We've been doing business in Mexico and see lots of areas for improvement for fluid reclamation," Simon said "We can provide an educational basis and hopefully sell some equipment as a result.|ret||ret||tab|

"Innovation is the life blood of the company. If you can't change and innovate, you will die. We strive for continuous improvement with many of the best ideas flowing back to the company from our customers around the globe."[[In-content Ad]]