Expansion Benefits Bobby Garland Crappie Baits and Gene Larew Lures
Category: article
May 10th, 2019 by Keith Worrall
Modified May 10th, 2019 at 1:01 AM
Four new soft plastic injection machines are in place and operating at Gene Larew Lures, following completion of a several-months expansion project for the Tulsa, Okla., lure manufacturer.
Expansion Benefits Bobby Garland Crappie Baits and Gene Larew Lures
TULSA, Okla. (May 7, 2019) – Gene Larew Lures, makers of Gene Larew soft plastic bass lures and Bobby Garland crappie baits, announces the completion of a several-month expansion project that increases the company’s manufacturing capabilities by 70 percent.
Four new custom-built soft plastic injection machines are now in place and operating at the Tulsa-based manufacturer’s facility located along historic Route 66 on the city’s northeast side.
The additions will provide welcome relief for the company and its customers, and especially for the retailers who cater to crappie anglers, as Larew has struggled of late to keep up with the ever-increasing demand for its Bobby Garland panfish products.
“By simple math, adding four machines to the six we already had is an increase of about
Larew owner Chris Lindenberg says the company’s recent expansion will boost production of the Baby Shad and other Bobby Garland crappie baits, providing relief to growth pains. (Click to enlarge/download)
70 percent. But from a true production standpoint, I can assure you the resulting boost is a lot greater than that,” said Larew owner Chris Lindenberg.
“Now we can run multiple molds of our highly popular Garland Baby Shad baits without having to compromise production of other needed lure styles, sizes and colors, which are the kinds of tough decisions we’ve had to make in recent times. This expansion is a big deal, and I’m confident our retailers and anglers will be as happy with the results as we are.”
Lindenberg acquired Gene Larew in late 2006, and then the Bobby Garland crappie brand in early 2007, putting the names of two legendary soft plastic pioneers together under one roof. The company has experienced double-digit sales growth annually while under his ownership, with successful new product introductions in both the Larew and Garland brands contributing to the company’s widening distribution across the country each year.
“Baby boomers like me remember Larew for its Salt Craw, but now old and young alike think of Larew as being Biffle Bugs and Biffle HardHeads, and we’re proud of professional bass angler Tommy Biffle for establishing the newer recognition.
“And while Larew will always hold its own among the mix of soft plastics’ brands in bass fishing, we’re also delighted that Garland sits alone at the top of the crappie baits’ category. The research we’ve commissioned, along with the number of imitations in the market now, clearly reveal the Bobby Garland Baby Shad represents the most popular name, body style and colors of crappie baits among today’s enthusiasts for that species,” Lindenberg added.
Racks of Gene Larew bass lures and Bobby Garland crappie baits await picking and warehousing in the company’s 22,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility.
The new Larew injection machines are identical to the existing ones. All were designed and custom built by Mingo Manufacturing, an Oklahoma company that specializes in engineering expertise and high-quality manufacturing for the energy industry. Although Mingo is not in the business of making equipment for the fishing industry, it agreed to build Larew’s expansion machines because of its history with original equipment and through familiarity with the Larew brand, company and people.
For more information on Gene Larew, visit GeneLarew.com. For more information on Bobby Garland crappie baits, visit BobbyGarlandCrappie.com.