SERVPRO Helps Kenton Brothers Systems for Security Recover After Flooding

/in /by

By David Strickland, COO of Kenton Brothers

SERVPRO Helps Kenton Brothers Systems for Security Recover After FloodingWhen disaster strikes, you quickly find out who’s in your corner. At Kenton Brothers Systems for Security, we experienced this firsthand after a flood disrupted our operations. Thankfully, SERVPRO stepped in, not just as a restoration company, but as true partners in recovery.

A Little History on SERVPRO

SERVPRO has been around since 1967, building its reputation as a leader in cleaning and restoration services across the country. Over the years, they’ve grown into a trusted name because of one simple but powerful promise: faster to any size disaster. Their professionalism and consistent focus on quality has made them the go-to for companies and families facing everything from water damage to fire and storm recovery.

Their success isn’t just about having the right tools—it’s about their mindset. SERVPRO emphasizes process, communication, and care, making sure the people they serve feel supported every step of the way.

SERVPRO SERVPRO

Professionalism and Mindfulness in Action

From the moment SERVPRO arrived at our site, they brought calm to chaos. Their project management was sharp, their communication was constant, and their attention to detail was clear. Every stage of the recovery was explained and executed with efficiency and care.

That mindfulness in treating not just the building, but the people inside it with respect was something we deeply appreciated. They didn’t just dry walls and move equipment; they gave us confidence we’d come out of the flood stronger than before.

Spotlight on Joel Bates

SERVPRO - Joel BatesA big part of that confidence came from Joel Bates, SERVPRO’s Project Manager. Joel has been with SERVPRO since 2013, and after 12 years in the field, he’s seen just about every kind of catastrophe. What makes Joel stand out isn’t just his technical skill it’s his heart for the work.

Having lived in Kansas City for 30 years, Joel is deeply rooted in our community. When asked why he does what he does, his answer was simple:

“I love what I do every day. I help people.”

Joel sees his role as a collaboration—not just with subcontractors and crews, but most importantly, with the customer. That philosophy was clear throughout our recovery. He guided us, kept us in the loop, and made sure our concerns were addressed.

For Joel, the most rewarding part of his job is helping companies like ours get back on their feet after disaster. And we can say from personal experience: he does it with professionalism, empathy, and a steady hand.

Our Gratitude

We think the world of Joel, and we are truly thankful for his leadership during this process. Recovering from a flood is no small task, but with Joel and SERVPRO on our side, it became manageable, structured, and even inspiring.

From all of us at Kenton Brothers Systems for Security—thank you, SERVPRO, and thank you, Joel. You turned a challenging chapter into a story of resilience and community.

Zach Lawless and the Hyer Boot Company – A helluva comeback!

/in , /by

By Gina Stuelke, CEO of Kenton Brothers

Zach Lawless and the Hyer Boot Company - A helluva comeback!It’s not often that I get to meet an entrepreneur with a company that is older than ours. Kenton Brothers was started in 1897. But Hyer Boot Company made its debut in 1875!

Hyer Boot Company began in a small cobbler shop in Olathe, Kansas and became the pioneers of the cowboy boot. In 1875, a cowboy entered C. H. Hyer’s cobbler shop and asked for custom boots that would work better for cattle driving. This was the first “cowboy boot”. After that first pair, the word spread. Orders came in from cattlemen, rodeo performers and even celebrities like Buffalo Bill Cody and Marilyn Monroe.

In the early 1900s, Hyer became the largest handmade boot manufacturer in America.

They were ahead of their time by selling boots through mail order. They also came up with design improvements like the toe bug and fork construction for pull tabs. During World War I and II, HYER Boots made footwear for military personnel, including notable figures like Teddy Roosevelt and Eisenhower.

Zach Lawless and the Hyer Boot Company - A helluva comeback!Sadly, in the 1970s, financial hardships led the family to give up control of the business. When the dust settled, the Hyer brand eventually shut down. But that is not the end of the story! In the 1990s, Zach Lawless, the great-great-grandson of C.H. Hyer, found family memorabilia and felt compelled to revive the business. After reclaiming the trademark for “Creator of the First Cowboy Boot” from Berkshire Hathaway, the HYER Boot Company was relaunched. Their first boot was the Horseman & Ranch Boot.

Check out the incredible story of Zach’s journey to resurrect his 5th generation business in this YouTube video. This is such a good video! It transcends the revival of a family business. My hope is that you can relate to this story about finding treasures passed down from your family.

Special thanks to Brad Holdhusen and his group from Prime Capital Investment Advisors who hosted a great customer event on a warm October evening at Silo in Lenexa to celebrate the American Royal and its new location in Kansas City, Kansas and the revival of Hyer Boots, makers of The original cowboy boot™!

Zach Lawless and the Hyer Boot Company - A helluva comeback!

Interesting Tech: The Luba Robotic Lawn Mower

/in , /by

By Neal Bellamy, IT Director at Kenton Brothers

Interesting Tech: The Luba Robotic Lawn MowerWe often talk about video surveillance cameras on our blog. We have also talked about commercial security robots that can patrol your business or warehouse. I thought it would be fun to talk about one of the most technologically advanced devices we have experienced recently. I am a self professed tech geek that loves new devices. This one is a home run.

It includes GPS, 3D imaging, first person remote viewing, and of course, artificial intelligence.

Introducing the Luba Robotic Lawn Mower.

I set the Luba Robotic lawn mower up in my yard in about 2 hours. The part of the project that took the longest was cutting a doggie door (that is actually a robot door) in my fence so that it can access the front yard. (We have dogs, and they haven’t figured it out yet.) I have the Luba set to run for about an hour a day, every day, to keep the grass at a manageable level and to reduce the amount of wear and tear on the mower.

Interesting Tech: The Luba Robotic Lawn Mower Interesting Tech: The Luba Robotic Lawn Mower

What if my neighbor decides to steal it?

Well, they thought of that. And it completely disables itself if removed from the programmed area of mowing responsibility. This mower can do multiple patterns, with multiple zones of mowing, and looks professional when it is done.

The app to manage the mower is called Mammotion. It lets you set up just about everything with this mower. Schedules, mowing patterns and more. Would you believe I just watched my mower doing its thing while writing this blog at work? That’s crazy. It’s all wheel drive and there is an adaptive suspension! This thing is awesome.

Interesting Tech: The Luba Robotic Lawn Mower

Our Technology Focus

We are always looking for new technology to protect people, property and possessions. And that love of all things technical translates into our personal lives as well. When you work with a commercial security company, it is probably a good idea to hire people that live and breathe this stuff. We do. Let’s talk.

FASTVend? Wow! Check out this newfangled vending machine!

/in , , /by

FASTVendBy Kip Phillips, National Integration Manager for Kenton Brothers Systems for Security

We’re in the service and installation business—designing, installing and repairing commercial security systems. Our security technicians needed a quick and efficient way to get products and tools to help them do their work in a timely manner instead of spending wasted hours at a big box store searching for supplies.

After trying various methods to have in-house access to many common installation materials for our technicians to use during installations, we’ve implemented the Fastenal Vending Solution. Our installations require various materials from electrical tape, screws, conduit, boxes, drill bits, hole saws, tie-wraps and many more types of items and tools.

The FASTVend System

FASTVendThe FASTVend system provides access-controlled cabinets, lockers and vending machines to hold the exact parts we need for our installations. By having the parts available via access control, we can track the quantity of each item being used and which truck or project the parts are being used for.

Our technicians appreciate having the convenience of picking up their installation materials at the same time they are picking up system equipment at the KB office. This saves them so much time when compared to how we used to do things. (Traveling to supply houses to get parts and specialty tools.) This is a win/win because it also saves KB some of our labor costs. It also saves our project managers and staff in purchasing time because they don’t have to preorder basic install consumables for each project.

FASTVend includes weekly restocking of the material we use.

Fastenal receives automated reports of each item consumed.

Initially, as a group, the technicians listed the standard items they prefer for installations. After refining and consolidating the list of standard materials, Fastenal set up the machines in our warehouse. User codes were programmed into the system for each technician.

The initial list wasn’t an exhaustive list. Now that the system has been in place for a few weeks, the technicians have had a chance to add items they would like to see included in the vending machines. Building a complete inventory of items, and organizing them in an efficient manner, takes time and a collaborative effort.

Keeping the Trucks Stocked

FASTVendOur technicians use the vending machine system to keep their trucks stocked with basic consumable tools and installation materials as well as materials specific to ongoing projects. In the future, we’ll be able to use the locker system to receive drop offs of new tools. And we will place broken tools and dull drill bits in the locker system for pick up and repair by Fastenal employees.

This new system has significantly cut down on the amount of receipts and paid invoices we had to keep track of as new projects were started. (We aren’t in the business of storing paper…)

We still have room for improvement in utilizing this vending machine concept. But the FASTVend system is a game changer that’s already proving its value to our organization!

 

Bar K – It’s Like Top Golf for Dogs!

/in , /by

Bar K Bar K

By Gina Stuelke, CEO of Kenton Brothers.

Kenton Brother’s offices are dog friendly, so we’re used to being surrounded by our canine kids. And we love to have company events outside the office. So we decided to join the two… Kenton Brothers latest investment in fun took us to the hot new dog/human social club positioned on a two acre tract of ground on the shore of the Missouri River at 501 Berkley Parkway.

Kenton Brothers: Bar K Team Outing

It’s called Bar K. (Bar for humans, Bark for dogs, get it?)

Bar K brings community minded people and their dogs together to share connections in a joyful and creative space.

Many of our peeps brought their significant pups… of all shapes and sizes. Some of our clan included Maggie, Hershey, Vespa, Boomer and Piper. In addition to great food and drinks, there were ice water stations, agility courses, puppy play spaces, adoption events in their Petfinder Park, and lots of room to run and wrestle with the other doggy guests.

Bar K is touted as the happiest place on earth. And we agree! Our team had a fantastic evening together surrounded by dogs. Thanks for a great event venue!

Kenton Brothers: Bar K Team Outing