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Kelley Manufacturing Co. relies on Synovus for both local banking and international capabilities
Kelley Manufacturing Co. (KMC) manufactures peanut harvesting equipment and sells it to growers in 22 foreign countries. They also produce cleaning equipment for poultry houses, equipment for shredding cotton stalks, and many other tillage tools.
Basically, the folks at KMC make a lot of the large, specialty farm equipment that the national corporations like John Deere doesn't, says E. Lanier Carson, the chief executive officer and chairman of the board of directors. From Tifton, Georgia, they buy and sell parts and equipment around the world.
That's why they needed a financial partner who would support regular international transfers.
"We found our banking partner in Synovus," says Jimmy Tomberlin, the company's chief financial officer. He appreciates the understanding and knowledge their banker brings to their business relationship, since he grew up on a farm and knows their business from A to Z.
“Service is the number one thing I look for in a bank," Tomberlin says. “We have a local number we can call, and we don't have to call someone in Ohio. That means a lot to us in running our business."
It's not just the quality of the service that has impressed him with Synovus — it's also their speed in solving problems.
“When we've had difficulties and we needed a bank to help us, Synovus stood by us. Knowing Synovus was there when we needed help meant a lot."
“In business, time is money," he says. “When we have a question or need something from our bank, we need to get someone quickly, and so far that's worked very well."
KMC was founded in 1966 and moved to its current location in 1972, when Carson started working there. It was bought out soon after, but then Carson bought the business back, a deal that was finalized in 1981. The company is now 100% employee owned, he says.
Tomberlin recalled a time when the company, which had done very well that particular year, gave large bonuses to employees, and wanted to pay some of them in cash. But the local Synovus branch didn't have that much cash on hand that day.
“They went to other banks around town to buy up the cash we needed," Tomberlin says. If they were late paying some bonuses, that might not have gone over well with some employees. “Morale is a big part of managing employees, and we were able to pay everyone their bonus in cash, thanks to Synovus going the extra mile."
“There are times when we've had difficulties, and we needed a bank to help us," Carson says. “Synovus stood by us. Knowing that the people involved were there when we needed help, as the CEO of a company, that meant a lot to me."
If you're searching for a bank that will go the extra mile for you, learn how Synovus can help. Just call us at 1-888-SYNOVUS (1-888-796-6887) or stop by your local Synovus branch. We're here for you.