Celebrating a Legacy of Leadership and Manufacturing Excellence in El Dorado, Arkansas

At Milbank, our greatest strength has always been our people. And nowhere was that more evident than during a recent week of celebration at our manufacturing facility in El Dorado, Arkansas.

From a plant-wide fish fry to a special retirement dinner bringing together generations of Milbank leadership, the El Dorado team came together to recognize remarkable careers, celebrate lasting relationships and look ahead to an exciting new chapter.

At the heart of the celebration was longtime El Dorado Plant Manager Ralph Flemens, who is preparing to retire after more than 40 years of dedicated service to Milbank.

More Than Four Decades of Leadership in El Dorado

For more than 40 years, Ralph Flemens has been part of the people, operations and culture that make Milbank's El Dorado manufacturing facility an important part of our company's success.

Throughout his career, Ralph has witnessed decades of growth, industry changes and advancements in American manufacturing. His leadership and commitment have helped shape the El Dorado operation and the team that carries its work forward every day.
Recognizing a career spanning more than four decades called for more than a traditional retirement celebration.

Milbank President and CEO Chris Buelow traveled to El Dorado to celebrate Ralph and spend time with the employees who have worked alongside him. Joining the visit was Michael Hoffman, Milbank's new Vice President of Manufacturing, who had the opportunity to connect with the El Dorado team and experience the facility firsthand.
The week included an on-site fish fry for El Dorado employees, bringing the team together to recognize Ralph's contributions and celebrate the people who make the facility successful.

It was a fitting tribute to a leader whose career has been closely connected to the plant and its people.

A Table Full of Milbank History

The celebration also provided an opportunity to recognize two additional longtime Milbank leaders preparing for retirement at the end of 2026: Brad Skinner, President Emeritus, and Doug Ubel, Senior Vice President of Operations.

Together with Ralph, these three leaders represent nearly 100 years of combined experience at Milbank.

During a special retirement dinner in El Dorado, Chris Buelow joined a group of colleagues whose collective Milbank experience totaled well over 200 years.

The evening represented far more than impressive years of service. It brought together decades of manufacturing knowledge, customer relationships, operational expertise and leadership that have helped build Milbank into the company it is today.

The gathering was also a reminder that Milbank's history isn't simply measured in years, facilities or products. It's reflected in the people who have dedicated their careers to serving customers, solving challenges, mentoring colleagues and strengthening the company for those who follow.

The People Behind El Dorado's Manufacturing Legacy

Milbank's El Dorado facility is an important part of our American manufacturing operations, supported by a team whose experience, craftsmanship and dedication contribute to our ability to serve customers across the country.

The recent celebrations put a well-deserved spotlight on those employees and the culture they've helped create.

From the production floor to plant leadership, El Dorado's success is built on people who bring their skills, knowledge and commitment to work every day.

That dedication is part of a much larger Milbank story: generations of employees working together to manufacture quality electrical solutions while building a legacy of American manufacturing.

And as Milbank approaches its 100th anniversary in October 2027, the El Dorado team continues to play an important role in carrying that legacy forward.

Honoring the Past. Welcoming the Future.

While the week was an opportunity to celebrate extraordinary careers, it also marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the El Dorado facility.

Brian Welch will step into the role of El Dorado Plant Manager, continuing the work of supporting the facility's employees, operations and future success.

The leadership transition reflects an important part of Milbank's longstanding culture: honoring the experience and contributions of those who came before while creating opportunities for the next generation of leaders.

With Chris Buelow serving as Milbank's new President and CEO and Michael Hoffman joining as Vice President of Manufacturing, the visit also brought together leaders who will help guide Milbank's manufacturing operations into the future.

As the company prepares to celebrate a century of American manufacturing, that combination of experience, continuity and fresh leadership will be essential to the years ahead.

Thank You for Being Part of the Milbank Story

More than four decades of service from one plant manager. Nearly 100 combined years of leadership from three retiring colleagues. And a dinner table representing more than 200 years of Milbank experience.

Those numbers tell an extraordinary story. But behind every one of them are people, relationships and contributions that have shaped our company.

To Ralph Flemens, Brad Skinner and Doug Ubel, thank you for your leadership, dedication and the lasting impact you've made on Milbank.

To Brian Welch, congratulations as you prepare to lead the El Dorado team into its next chapter.

And to every employee at our El Dorado facility, thank you for the important work you do and the pride you bring to Milbank manufacturing.

Nearly a century of American manufacturing has been built by people like you. And the next century will be, too.