ABOUT

“Honesty is the best policy. It boils down to doing things the right way, the first time, and going straight to work when a customer needs you. They’re our boss, and we’re here to get them back up and running as soon as possible.”
— Larry Barger, President

Atlas Electric Motor Services is celebrating 30+ years as a local pioneer and reliable resource to companies that utilize a myriad of electric motors and other devices.

Fresh out of high school, Larry Barger had an intense desire to delve into the inner workings of motors, to understand their mechanics and an affinity for helping others solve problems. What started with one man, $3,500 and a small shop on Dixie Highway is now a multi-million dollar organization that offers expertise on electric motors, pumps, servo motors and more.  The staff, consisting of eight employees, provides 24-hour emergency service, on-site work and specialties not offered by any regional competitor to their 250+ customers in a 100-mile radius.

Electric motors are used in everything from the production of paper bags and magazines to elevators, cranes, conveyors, water treatment pumps and more. Rebuilding and rewinding such motors is a highly technical process that requires specific knowledge acquired through on-the-job training and professional experience.

Larry credits Atlas’ success to hard work, honesty and operating as if each customer is writing their paycheck. He said, “Honesty is the best policy, really. It boils down to doing things the right way the first time and going straight to work when a customer needs you. They’re our boss, and we’re here to get them back up and running as soon as possible.”

This dedication to customer service and quality workmanship hasn’t gone unnoticed by Atlas’ customers. “Larry is fair and honest,” said Jason Combs, maintenance manager for Mubea and longtime Atlas customer. “He and his staff bend over backwards, showing up at all hours and on weekends to fix our motors and keep our operation running smoothly. They’re really easy to work with and go the extra mile.”

As the company has grown more successful, Larry has made a point to support the community and local businesses. In 2011, he started the Richwood Business Association; he currently serves as a trustee for the Walton Fire Protection District and is President of the Ohio/West Virginia chapter of EASA (Electrical Apparatus Service Association), an international organization that offers engineering support to electric motor service providers.  Much of Larry’s success is also due to his dedicated wife Donna.  They have been married for 46 years.

Larry’s vision for the future is to continue serving customers in the Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana Tri-State area, but eventually he would like to teach electric motor skills. According to Larry, “It’s hard to find employees skilled in this field. This kind of knowledge and skill set isn’t taught in a classroom. It’s learned on the job, which is a large investment of time and money when hiring someone new.”