Blue Sky Bank helps a Tulsa manufacturer stay cutting-edge

Tri-States Sales, Inc., a fastener manufacturer based in Claremore, Okla., has grown from two employees to nearly 30. Over the last 20 years, they’ve purchased buildings, acquired another company, and even added a robot to their staff. Owner Brian Plummer says Blue Sky Bank has, and always will, keep his company at the forefront of growth.

Brian Plummer proudly employs 28 humans and one robot.

His company, Tri-State Sales, Inc., started out as a fastener distributor selling nuts, bolts, and screws. In 2008, he turned the business into a manufacturer making custom specialty fasteners, valves, “anything anyone wants to give us,” Brian says.

Brian has worked closely with lender Chris Wilson since 1997, following him from bank to bank.

“[Chris] has taken care of us over the years,” Brian explains.

But when Chris brought Tri-States Sales over to Blue Sky Bank, Brian noticed a difference — this bank was more flexible than the others he’d worked with.

“At Blue Sky, they allowed Chris to do some more and help us more, keep us growing,” Brian says.

Brian now works with lender Barry Gibson in addition to Chris. This Blue Sky Bank team worked closely with Tri-States Sales to acquire the funding necessary when the company made the transition to manufacturing. They worked together on several Commercial Real Estate Loans, first in 2006 when Tri-States Sales purchased its first building, and then bought another three years later.

Tri-States Sales also worked with Blue Sky Bank on a Business Acquisition loan in 2014, when the company purchased another company, Tulsa Industrial Products, to expand its offerings. 

“They’ve stayed with us and kept making it happen for us,” Brian says of Blue Sky Bank’s role in his company’s growth.

But it was a recent Equipment Financing Loan from Blue Sky Bank that Brian says got the attention of people all across Oklahoma.

Tri-States Sales was able to purchase cutting-edge machinery — essentially, a pair of two CNC machines operated by a robot.

As soon as the robot and machinery arrived, both Chris and Barry from Blue Sky Bank came out to the Claremore facility to see it.

“We showed it off,” Brian says. “We had several customers from all around come in and see how it works, too. Surprisingly, there’s not that much robotic [manufacturing technology] in Oklahoma.”

Tri-States Sales will celebrate 23 years of business in May 2020. They’ve grown rapidly from distribution and supply to robotic manufacturing. The company has relied on its lending team at Blue Sky Bank for every stage of business growth. The difference, Brian says, is that Blue Sky Bank has a can-do attitude for entrepreneurs.

“When we bring them an idea, they ask questions, we explain it, and then they make it happen,” Brian explains. “They just make stuff happen for us. They take the stress out of it.”

Tri-States Sales has no plans to stay still in the future.

Brian says the company will continue to pursue the latest tools and latest machines, knowing Blue Sky Bank will help them stay at the forefront of technology offerings with small business loans.

The manufacturing side also benefits the company’s original focus, the nuts-and-bolts business.

“That’s two different sides that we can help customers with,” Brian says. “We take pride in everything we do.”

Do you want to work with a lending team that is constantly keeping you at the cutting-edge, equipped with the latest technology in your industry?

Contact Blue Sky Bank today to see how we can help take your company to the next level — and we won’t stop there.

  • We will pick up the phone and answer your questions, no strings attached.
  • We’ll work quickly to understand your financial situation before ever suggesting ideas and solutions.
  • We’ll devise a range of solutions that make sense for you and make sure you clearly understand the advantages and disadvantages of each option.
  • We will be straightforward with you about whether we are able to compete with other solutions you’ve shopped.
  • Even if you’ve eliminated Blue Sky Bank from your set of possibilities, we’ll offer our expert opinion on your other options.
  • Contact Blue Sky Bank by phone or email and one of our experts will get back to you within the next business day, if not sooner.
No items found.

If you’re interested in working with Blue Sky Bank’s cannabis banking program, fill out the form below or connect with Deborah on LinkedIn.

Connect with Deborah on LinkedIn

About Blue Sky Bank

We are responsive, creative, street smart, financial growth hunters who give individuals and owners of small-to-medium sized businesses confidence in their possibilities.
Get in touch

Get in touch with us:

FIRST NAME *

LAST NAME *

BUSINESS NAME *

BUSINESS EMAIL ADDRESS *

Phone Number *

Which licenses do you currently hold? Check all that apply. *

Which licenses do you currently hold? Check all that apply. *

current state you are operating in:

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Get in touch with us:

Name*

Email*

Phone*

Are you a current customer?*

Preferred Blue Sky Bank branch:*

What type of help do you need?*

What can we help you with?*

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.