West Electronics Keeps Gaining Respect At National Level During Its 50th Year
Although many people might not even know the nationally respected West Electronics is located in Poplar, the Fort Peck Tribes’ company is celebrating its 50th year of existence this year.
Rodney Miller of Fort Peck Tribes Economic Development acknowledges the longevity and achievements of West Electronics.
“In economic development, we don’t celebrate our successes enough. This is a great one,” Miller said of West Electronics. “It’s basically the best kept secret in America.”
In July of 1975, Multiplex Communications Inc. transfered its 49 percent ownership of Multiplex West Inc., over to the Fort Peck Tribes to make them the sole owner of the enterprise. The official name of the company was changed to West Electronics, Inc. It didn’t take long for West Electronics to make a profit as the company’s gross sales were in excess of $1 million for both fiscal year 1982 and 1983. West Electronics, Inc.’s operation is located in the Fort Peck Tribal Industrial Park Complex. Their foundational 10,000 square foot facility was also constructed in 1975, with peripheral facilities constructed over the years to accommodate its growing operations.
Thomas Lipko, chief executive officer of West Electronics, said the defense contractor builds such items as wire harnesses and fluid distribution systems for the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. In 2003, West teamed with ESSI (now DRS) to update the U.S. Army Fuel System Supply Points. Through the collaborative efforts of West and the United States Army – TACOM Division, West has become the OEM manufacturer of the TACOMs 120K, 300K, and 800K Fuel System Supply Points.
“We support the war fighters of our country. We do our part,” Lipko said. “We work to protect and save lives. If we don’t build it right, it could put somebody in jeopardy.”
Last year, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte and Misty Kuhl, director of Montana’s Department of Indian Affairs, toured the facility. Lipko said the state officials described West Electronics as the second most successful tribal business in Montana.
Lipko, who has been the CEO in Poplar for 13 years, said the company’s board of directors should receive a lot of credit. Those board members when he arrived included Roxanne Gibbs, Jackie Weeks, Myrna Charbonneau, Russell Kirn and Arlyn Headdress. Current board members are Wilfred Lambert, Russell Kirn, Susie Perry, Maureen Dionne and Allen Spottedbull. The Tribal Executive Board liaison is Marva Chapman.
“The other most important thing here is the employees,” said Lipko, who has been in the industry for 40 years. “There are some of the hardest working employees I’ve been with.”
West Electronics expanded when the tribes approved purchasing Wolf Point Sand and Gravel seven years ago. Then, a rail was added to build a rail transit business. Stoney Paths increased the number of businesses to four. Through Stoney Paths, headstones now are offered at a modest price.
“Our core business is our original business,” Lipko explained. Results have included $200 million of contracts from the U.S. Army. That has translated to $11 million of dividends to the tribes. “That’s probably near the top of any investing a company has done for its tribe,” Lipko said. “The board of directors and employees are fully responsible for the things we’ve done here.”
The number of employees has ranged between 12 and 40. Lipko explains the company understands the social issues in the area and help employees become better people. He notes that when a person has a job, it improves self esteem.
“To me, it’s impressive that it’s been here for 50 years,” Lipko said. “I think we represent the tribes well in Montana and in the nation.”
