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How EPM Got Its Start

June 26, 2014

Written By:
Priscilla Hamilton

How EPM Got Its StartEPM is a manufacturer of hydraulic and pneumatic seals (which include piston seals, rod seals, wipers, o-rings, back-up rings, rotary shaft seals or oil seals), wear rings, v-packing rings and gaskets to industrial plants with approximately 30% exported outside of the United States. Seals and gaskets are essential components in the operation of industrial equipment such as pumps, valves, hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders.   We are able to manufacture these seals from a variety of materials including Polyurethane, Nitrile, FPM/FKM, PTFE, Silicone, EPDM, POM. Nylon, as well as Bronze, Nickel and glass filled PTFE.

EPM Inc. was started by Jerry Whitlock.   Jerry had always been a successful business man. After leading a large, multi-branch company and becoming frustrated by inefficiencies and the demand of 300+ employees and multiple shareholders he decided it was time for a change. In 1993 after two near heart attacks and a doctor-™s warning that he would die if he didn-™t stop working so hard Jerry left the big corporate life. It was time to trade the adrenaline rush for a fishing pole and work at a slower pace. Still having a passion for seals and gaskets, Jerry started EPM, Inc in 1995. At that time EPM was a -œvirtual- business which he ran with the help of his wonderful wife Rita and 5 employees. They were able to serve our then 1500 customers from their home office and a small warehouse. Utilizing the internet, e-mail, laptop computers, cellular telephones, beepers and faxes, Jerry created a network of customers including power plants, chemical plants, waste water treatment plants, plastic molders and aluminum extruders. However, Jerry always kept in mind that some selling needed to be done the old fashioned way. He was always willing to personally deliver parts to nearby customers. It was important to him to have a relationship with his customers. The infrastructure of the new economy -" fax, internet, e-mail, overnight delivery -" is available to everyone. All you need is a place to plug in. But as a middle man, Jerry found a way to add value to the products that his customers appreciated and made him and his business successful.

By late 1995 EPM had purchased our first seal making machine.   As a manufacturer we are now able to provide our customers with parts made to their specifications.   Now in 2014 our production facility has grown to 9 machines and we are not only capable of manufacturing round seals but can also produce square seals as well.

After Jerry-™s death in 2009, his wife Rita has continued to run the company with the same values and commitment that Jerry started this company with. EPM has grown quite a bit in the years since we started! We now have nearly 14,000 customers and a staff of 13. We look forward to working with you in the near future!