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A Broader Vision
If you've viewed it chances are they've had a hand in it.
By CHRIS
VAN WAGENEN
A-J BUSINESS EDITOR
If you've watched a storm approaching
on television from an observation camera perched high atop a
local tower or glanced at a replay at Jones/SBC Stadium, chances
are Lubbock Audio Visual Inc. had a hand in it.
"We're largely an unknown
commodity in this market," said Stan Wagnon, president of
LAV, which is celebrating its 25th year in business a
business that operates pretty much behind the scenes.
But now LAV, which has operations in
Lubbock and Amarillo, is about to branch out in a big way with
an expansion that will more than double the size of its 2120
Ave. Q headquarters.
Wagnon, who started the company on a
shoestring budget, today employs 30 account managers,
engineers/designers, technicians and support staff with plans to
add more once construction begins on its 12,500-square-foot
addition.
"When I started this company we
basically sold traditional audio/visual equipment such as
projection screens and overhead projectors and things like
that," he said.
But my what a difference 25 years
makes.
Today, LAV is heavily involved in
design-build projects making use of more than 300 manufacturers
of professional video, audio and telecommunications products
that have had an impact on dozens upon dozens of West Texas
businesses, state agencies, educational organizations and
religious groups.
"We've just evolved as a company
from (selling/renting) traditional audio/visual to commercial
video/audio telecommunication products," he said.
"When you see those (television)
observation cams, that's a product we designed and built. We
built the control room at the bottom of the United Spirit Arena
(that controls replays and other information) and we were
greatly instrumental in getting FOX-Channel 34 (Ramar
Communications) virtual news set, broadcast operation up and
running," he added.
LAV is also heavily involved in
security, designing and building video security systems for the
likes of Pantex and Federal Express.
In addition, LAV has played a
substantial role in providing its audio/video expertise in the
development of broadcasts centers, training/conference centers
and sanctuary presentations.
"A lot of what we do is custom
build, but our rental and staging (for business video
conferences) are also a strong part of our business," he
said.
Wagnon said LAV has staged regional
video conferences for Coca-Cola, John Deere even Ford Motor
Co. "And we've been doing that for years," he said.
Wagnon said with the exception of the
first year he was in business, LAV has continued to operate in
the black.
Wagnon said LAV plans to begin
construction in the next 45- to-50 days on a new addition having
acquired and demolished two homes west of its office.
"We're already in trouble here.
We have way too many people and too many things going on to do
what we need to do," he said.
LAV plans to invest from $750,000 to
$1 million on its expansion.
Wagnon said he considered leaving the
downtown area for Southwest Lubbock, but changed his mind once
he got a whiff of land costs, which have been rising steadily.
He said while the project will take
about a year to complete, it will be well worth it in the long
run.
He said LAV plans to add a new
conference center, a technical operations center for its rack
fabrication/system fabrication operations, an enlarged customer
service department and much needed warehouse space.
Wagnon said if LAV has any challenges
it's finding qualified workers.
"I come from an electronics
background. It's difficult recruiting people who understand what
we do so we hire for attitude and train for skill," he
said.
Wagnon said while many of the
companies clients are located in Lubbock, Amarillo, El Paso,
Midland and Odessa, LAV is looking to eventually expand into
Albuquerque.
"We've been incredibly lucky. We
have no debt, very little competition outside the major markets,
a great customer base and people who are focused and dedicated
to their clients," he said.
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