The Oklahoma City team (from L-R): Tom Ruder, Mark Dickson, Bryan Harman, Stan Roberts, Michael Gleason, John Sneed, David Brown. MERRIAM, KS — After 42 years, IBT Industrial Solutions has moved its Oklahoma City branch to a new location. “The new location gives us the ability to bring more customers in — to show inventory, give demos, and offer tours,” said Tom Zerger, the Regional Manager for IBT. “We now have lots of room to grow and add more inventory.” Merriam, KS-based IBT was No. 48 on Industrial Distribution's 2015 Big 50 List. In Oklahoma City Since 1970 IBT opened its first Oklahoma City branch in July 1970 at the corner of 5th and Western, later moving to a small industrial park at 512 N. Douglas in 1974. The branch remained there for 42 years, until the recent move in May 2016. The decision was made to move because the neighborhood had grown more residential over the years, and was no longer easily accessible for IBT’s customers, Zerger said. In addition, many of the company’s industrial customers had relocated to other parts of the Oklahoma City metro area. New Location at 2000 S. Nicklas Avenue “This is a better address for us, in a better building with greater visibility,” said Mark Dickson, the Store Manager for Oklahoma City. “We’ve already received calls from customers saying how much they like the new location.” The new IBT address in Oklahoma City is at 2000 S. Nicklas Avenue, in an industrial park. “We were fortunate to find this building at South Nicklas,” Zerger said. “Not only is it better-suited for our customers, but it’s also located in an industrial complex, so it’s an ideal fit for our business, because we sell industrial products and solutions.” 7,200 square feet of Space The new Oklahoma City branch has seven employees and 7,200 square feet of space — including 1,500 square feet of office space. It houses two outside sales staff and three inside sales staff to service local customers, along with fluid power Product Specialist David Brown, Store Manager Mark Dickson, and Operational Support Manager Tom Ruder. The branch carries a daily inventory of approximately 380 SKUs, and has deep experience in IBT’s core products — such as electrical, bearings, power transmission, and industrial rubber products. Easier for Customer Access “I like the new building because it’s centrally located and easier for customers to access,” said Tom Ruder, the Operational Support Manager based out of Oklahoma City. “I enjoy working alongside the other IBT employees who are here. Mark and his team also genuinely enjoy working together and helping our customers. They do a great job, and the improved working environment is well deserved.” Dickson agrees. He has worked his entire IBT career at the Oklahoma City branch, starting in 1988 as a driver — and working his way through several different positions before becoming Store Manager. “I love the challenge of working for IBT,” Dickson said. “Every day is different. I enjoy coming to work here because it feels like a family atmosphere, and not just here at the branch — but throughout the entire company.”