RAPCO: LOCAL AUDIO CABLE COMPANY MAKES MUSIC HEARD AROUND THE WORLD

Michellw Walton solders an audio snake assembly. Rapco produces 200 units a week.

Rapco employs about 130 people that produce cable products and sell stagecraft lighting equipment and portable rack systems for bands.

Many motorists pass by the 107 mile marker along Interstate 55 near Fruitland, look to the west and wonder what Rapco is.

The original building appeared just west of the interstate in 1986, but since then the company has had two additions. The company started with 12,000 square feet, expanded to 18,000 square feet and the final addition has left the company with 30,000 square feet under one roof all in less than nine years.

Rapco produces cable, lots of audio cable for audio-interphase equipment used around the world in concerts and recording studios.

Rapco is a very respected producer of audio cable in the music business. The company's products have been endorsed by Charlie Daniels, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and George Jones.

Ron and Phyllis Lorenz (Rapco is an acronym for Ron And Phyllis COmpany) started the business in a garage in Chicago in the early 1980s, moved to Southeast Missouri and sold it to a group of Boston investors in 1989.

"They liked having a family business," said Dale Williams, a top executive with the company. "A business where they knew everything that was taking place and knew everyone working there. When it got too big for that, they sold it."

Williams was hired by Ron and Phyllis Lorenz before the investors purchased the company and has risen to his current position of co-chief executive officer and co-president with Linda Gast.

"I've been here about four and a half years," Gast said, "and there hasn't been a dull moment yet.

Rapco serves about 7,000 music stores in this country and exports about 10 percent of its products, mainly to Europe. Over the next few years, Gast and Williams said Rapco cables will be easily found in Japan and South America.

Rapco's personnel has grown to 130 employees since the Lorenzes had the firm. It continues to grow, with its focus on foreign markets.

Williams credits the company's success to a durable product that has catered to musicians and their needs.

"Our product is something that can be abused," he said. "When groups go on the road, they throw the cables around, and they have to be able to take that abuse."

Gast and Williams said the company's success also can be credited to the input of the employees. Many of the people working for Rapco have musical experience and know the market.

"This is really a good size for a company," Williams said, "and we like being here."

Gast and Williams said if the company expands further, and they plan to grow, the area doesn't offer an extensive labor field from which to chose new employees.

"We really have low unemployment here," Gast said. "That's good for the community, and we're not too concerned about that at this point."

Gast and Williams said new employees are driving from as far away as 30 miles to work at Rapco.

As long as people are willing to drive into the area for employment, Rapco won't have a problem hiring new workers, with future expansion plans.