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Rhodes
Equipment Company was started by Dusty Rhodes and has been in
business since 1932. We were originally an Engineer/Contractor,
building small, industrial type powerhouses. The original
business was similar to other companies of the time like Bumsted
Wolford and Fuel Economy.
In
1955, we built our last power house as prime contractor at The
Ohio Oil Company (now Marathon Oil), in Robinson, IL. Around
that time, Dusty Rhodes decided to transition out of the
Contractor business and become a manufacturers’ representative
in the power/steam generation industry.
In the
late 50’s Bill Baker, Sr (father of current owner, Bill Baker,
Jr) left Republic Flowmeter and went to work for Dusty. In the
mid 60’s Dusty experienced some health problems and Bill, Sr
purchased the company. He guided the company through the boom
years of the 1970’s and early 80’s in the steam generation
industry.
In the
mid 90’s Bill, Sr announced he was ready to slow down and exit the
business. The current owners purchased the business from him and
the three of them are now equal owners. Bill, Sr continued to
work a few years but is now fully retired and living the St
Louis area.
Shortly after purchasing the business the current owners also
purchased a standalone building in the South City (close to The
Hill) area of St Louis, remodeled it and today it serves as the
office for the company.
We
have continued the business of supplying equipment to the
Utilities, Refineries, and Chemical plants in our area and take
pride in the fact that we are one of the oldest and longest
continuously operating representative firms in the industry,
over 75 years. We pride ourselves on our integrity and our
knowledge of the Power Industry.
Our current
group consists of the following:
Outside
Sales/Owners:
Bill Baker, Jr. – BSME – Clemson University
Rick Luetkemeyer – BSME – Purdue University
Craig Tapperson – BSME – University of Arkansas
Inside Staff:
Peggy Mohan – Office Manager, Bookkeeper (accounts
receivable/payable)
Cindy Tapperson – Part Time Receptionist
Shannon Ashmann – Part Time Receptionist.
Our area of coverage for most of our principals includes the
following:
State of Missouri: All
counties East of and including Putnam, Sullivan, Linn, Chariton,
Saline, Pettis, Benton, Hickory, Dallas, Greene, Christian, and
Taney.
State of Illinois:
All counties South of and including Hancock, McDonough, Fulton,
Peoria, Woodford, McLean, Champaign, and Vermilion.
State of Indiana:
All the counties of Knox, Daviess, Pike, Dubois, Gibson, Posey,
Vanderburgh, Warrick, Spencer, and Perry.
State of Kentucky:
All counties West of and including Daviess, McLean, Hopkins, and
Christian.
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