Plant Machine Works Is Celebrating 35 Years

BATON ROUGE — In 1977, Claude Barber purchased Plant Machine Works Inc. from Central resident Harry Carmena.  Claude set a standard for Plant Machine Works Inc. that his son and grandson are now following to guide the business for the future.

Upon Claude’s passing in 2006, his son Tommy Barber took over the family business.

Tommy is married to Renee Jeansonne Barber, who is a lifelong resident of Central.  Tommy and Renee’s children are graduates of Central schools.

Travis is a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University and is currently the company’s vice president of finance.  Morgan plans to attend Louisiana State University in the fall and major in business.  Travis is married to Lyndsey Browning McGraw, who also graduated from Central Private and Southeastern.  Lyndsey is a registered nurse at Lane Memorial Hospital in Zachary.

Tommy has made a concerted effort to hire people from Central in the family business.  Plant Machine Works currently employs 63 people, including the following residents of Central: Tommy Carlton, purchasing agent; Matt Wagner, logistics supervisor and data entry; Shane Ash, quotes and IT maintenance; Joe Amorello Sr., salesman; Butch Bateman, shop coordinator; Tyler Jones, draftsman, and Todd Browning, salesman.

Plant Machine Works is proud to have family and friends involved in the business.  This combination has helped continue the success established by Claude Barber.

Now Plant Machine Works is celebrating 35 years as a leader in the repair industry.  The Plant Machine Works’ mission continues to be “Service, Quality, Honesty, and Integrity.”

Located near the Baton Rouge Airport, Plant Machine Works’ 50,000-square-foot facility has state-of-the-art machinery along with rotating equipment specialists.

Tommy Barber said, “It is my goal to keep the same tradition that made Plant Machine Works a leader in the repair industry.”  Tommy has put in place an executive management team that consists of several employees who helped Claude shape Plant Machine Works into the industry leader it is today.”

“My father put the best people around him and allowed them to work,”  he said.  “As much as my father meant to the company, he would be the first to tell you it is the employees who make Plant Machine Works successful.”

Management Team

Bobby Williams, vice president of operations; Kirk Jones, vice president of project bidding; and Eddie Hood, vice president of customer service, have each been with the company for more than 25 years.

Along with Tommy Barber, these employees form the executive management team.  With their many years of experience, Tommy turns to them to help make decisions relating to the company.  Tommy is thankful for these men staying with Plant Machine Works after the passing of Claude Barber and being a major part of the company’s continued success.

Expertise and Service

With a machine shop that covers 50,000 square feet, Plant Machine Works offers a wide array of services, from a full-service machine shop to intricate rotating equipment repairs.

Expanding

To better meet its customers’ needs, Plant Machine Works recently purchased and installed three new CNC machines, including TOS Varnsdorf Horizontal Boring Mill, Viper VTL (Vertical Turret Lathe), and a Viper Horizontal Lathe.

The new equipment will allow Plant Machine Works to work on larger parts and increase productivity, which will open new doors of opportunity and take the company to another level in the production and repair world.

The Future of Plant Machine Works

Although Claude Barber led the company for most of its 35 years, his son is now leading the company into a new era.  According to Tommy, the future of Plant Machine Works is very bright and full of new challenges with increased capabilities, new machines, and a team of people that includes a mix of experience and youth throughout the company.

“I am proud to be leading Plant Machine Works into the future as a family business.  With my son, Travis McGraw, working and learning the family business, our future looks bright,” Tommy said.

“Now that our company has become a generational one, our future is one of growth and development with traditional values that make Plant Machine Works what it was in the past, what it is now, and what it will be.”

The company’s business hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.  In addition, a 24/7 answering service with a Plant Machine Works’ employee on call is available to handle clients’ emergency needs.

Plant Machine Works is a proud supporter of the City of Central and Central City News.

Plant Machine Works, Inc.

4633 Blount Road

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

225-775-7163