November 2001

Barden Homes and the "American Dream"

It all started in 1909 with wagon wheels and the original quest for the American Dream. Today, the Barden and Robeson Corporation is operated by the fourth generation of the founders' families and is an intriguing example of how an entrepreneurial company responds to change.

In 1909, founders George L. Barden and Roscoe J. Robeson teamed up to produce spokes and hubs for wagon wheels. In 1911, with change looming on the horizon, the company put its woodworking skills to use building bushel baskets for the fruit-growing trade located throughout the Finger Lakes Region. In the 1920's, wicker baby furniture was added to the product line, but all these products were put on hold during the 1940's while the company built and assembled ammunition boxes for the United States Armed Forces and its Allies during World War II. In the home-building era that followed the war, Barden and Robeson moved into the home construction market as thousands of young couples pursued their "American Dream."

Today, Barden Homes manufactures pre-engineered, "panelized" state-of-the-art construction for homes and commercial buildings that yield significant savings in both material and labor costs while providing architectural beauty and functionality for a variety of environments. Pre-engineering or "panelization" also provides for modern manufacturing methods that produce superior quality in overall insulation, and building framing. These processes, pioneered by Barden Homes, reflect the company's continued commitment to the "panelization" manufacturing process, projected by industry sources to represent almost 80% of all construction within the next 10 years.

The company markets its products to 22 states east of the Mississippi and north of Virginia through a network of more than 200 company-trained independent dealers. Besides a large manufacturing site in Cortland County, other facilities are located in New Castle, Indiana, and Middleport, New York. Dealers work with home owners to provide support and guidance in scheduling and managing subcontractors. Construction financing, as well as permanent mortgages, are provided by the firm's Robar General Funding Corporation. From design to manufacturing and financing, Barden Homes has grown from its wagon wheel days to a national leader in "panelized" residential or commercial construction.

According to Kevin Tomko, general manager of the Cortland County facility in Homer, the company is strategically positioned to continue growth and expansion in both its residential and commercial divisions. "In just over three years, our overall growth in Homer exceeds 45% with 2001 sales being our best year to date," comments Tomko. The company currently has 175 employees, of which nearly 100 are located in Cortland County. Tomko points out, "The best asset we have is our dedicated employees who on a daily basis provide high quality, professional services to our customers such as production, marketing, drafting, engineering, pricing and customer service."

As Barden Homes moves forward into the 21st Century, it will continue to improve and expand upon its residential product line, offering vacation homes, and family homes up to multi-million dollar estates. Its commercial division includes design and manufacturing of office complexes, motels and hotels, churches, retail buildings, healthcare and educational facilities.

Tomko sums it up when he says, "We would not be who we are today without the foundation of the prior Barden generations. And we could not go where we need to grow without the current members of our team. It is this combination that makes the company a family."