Lynox continues to put customers’ needs first
20 years
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — As Lynox, Inc., a major supplier of welding supplies and gases, the company is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. However, the foundation of the business actually dates back to the early 1950s when Clyde and Lillian Lynch opened Happy Cooking Gas Co.
The company changed its name in the late ‘50s/early ‘60s to Welding Supply Co. Inc., and then in 1993 it became known as Lynox, Inc.
Their cleaning division, established in 1984, has become an increasingly larger part of their business along with a growing welding and gas division. They strive to meet the needs of their customers by offering them the most knowledgeable salespeople, as well as reliable, affordable products. They service equipment right on site and strive to get their customers “back up and running” as soon as possible.
“We pride ourselves in great customer service,” said co-owner Gene Lynch II. “We are not a division of a large out-of-state company, but Maine based, and a live person answers the phone. The owners are here in the store and can assist the customers directly, and what our customers spend here, remains here, so they’re helping support the local economy.”
Lynox, a third generation, family-owned business, is owned and operated by Gene Lynch II, Dan Lynch and Steve Lynch, and they understand the wants and needs of The County. Their welding product lines include Miller Welding Equipment, Smith Welding & Cutting Equipment and more. Their cleaning product lines include Karcher, Mi-T-M and Hotsy pressure washers.
The company’s continuing focus has been on selling the most fuel-efficient equipment to their customers.
“Recently we took on a revolutionary new line of infrared heaters manufactured by VAL6. These heaters consume a fraction of the fuel, emit virtually no fumes, burn diesel fuel and run on less power than is required to operate a 100-watt light bulb,” said Lynch. “Our customers rave about how efficiently they perform compared to the old style torpedo heaters they are accustomed to using.
“In these hard economic times with fuel prices out of control, we want to do what we can to get the most effective equipment out to our customer,” he said. “Our Hot Water Karcher line will save up to $7 per hour in fuel every time you turn it on. It is the most fuel-efficient hot water pressure washer on the market with a super-efficient burner, double pass heating coil and a thermal insulation barrier.”
Lynch said the company has invested heavily in an advanced cylinder tracking system utilizing individual bar codes, which is another benefit to the customers.
“This enables us to track cylinders and provide our customers day-to-day accuracy to control cylinder activity,” he said. “This allows our customers — and us — to better manage cylinders and reduce costs. Cylinder balances can be reduced by keeping only required cylinders on hand and eliminating unnecessary spares.
“If cylinders are lost, stolen or inadvertently borrowed, we have a better handle on tracking their whereabouts and getting the customer credit when we recover the cylinder,” said Lynch.
For Lynox, the secret to staying in business is “putting the customer’s needs first and providing old-fashioned service.”
“Our sales trucks are fully stocked thus reducing customer expense in additional shipping costs and better on-time deliveries,” said Lynch. “Our driver sales personnel are fully trained in all the products we sell and deliver right to your door.
“We have maintained a neighbor-like way of doing business,” he said, “and we have the most convenient and extended hours of any distributor in The County.”
Lynox also supports local fund-raising efforts.
“We’re community focused and give back,” Lynch said. “After all, we live here, too.”
Lynox has three locations — Presque Isle, Bangor and Portland. The company’s e-mail address is lynox@lynox.com and the Presque Isle phone number is 764-6511. Business hours are 7 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m.-noon Saturday.
