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Radio World: Reprinted from February 3, 1999
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New Owners Plot Course at LPB
By Brian Galante

Frazer, PA - Often when a company is purchased, the once familiar inner structure can change into something unfamiliar.

This apparently is not the case following the recent purchase of LPB, Inc. The company, founded in 1960 by Dick Crompton, is an international manufacturer of low-power broadcasting systems. The company, called LPB Communications under its new owner, will continue to produce LPB equipment and add new products.

Tom Spadea, president of LPB Communications, and Edward W. Devecka Jr., former president of LPB Inc., made the announcement in October. Spadea and Devecka, who bought the company from Crompton in 1988, was ready to reduce his role and "bring in someone who could expand the manufacturing and marketing of LPB," as well as capitalize on the company's foundation in the industry. Devecka will continue to work as communications sales manager.

Although Spadea, 26, declined to disclose the purchase price of LPB, he said, "The terms were a win-win for everyone." The purchase of LPB, he said, will allow the new company to invest further in product development and marketing. As LPB Communications, the company will continue as a standalone operation.

Operations
For several years Spadea ran operations and sales for Just-In-Time, a screw manufacturing company owned by his family. Spadea had been searching for an opportunity to expand the operations and sales of an established American manufacturer. While he was not necessarily looking to enter the radio industry, he said, he has always been fond of the medium.

"I am excited to be in an industry that has had such a profound impact on national and international life," said Spadea, who recalled listening to old recordings of "The Shadow" and "War of the Worlds" as a child. "What I loved then and still love today is how radio forces you to use your imagination to bring audio images to life…I am proud LPB has played a role in radio's past, and am excited that we can play a role in its future."

Spadea owns LPB Communications with several family members and friends.

"The focus will be to improve our production processes to reduce lead times and generate cost savings we can pass on to our customers," Spadea said, adding that the purchase will enable the company to "move ahead of the competition before they catch up to where we are today."

LPB Communications claims more than 4,000 consoles and close to 500 automation systems in operation around the world. Spadea said the company plans to release a Windows NT version of its SALSA Automation system next spring.

Custom Stations
"We already have beta versions of the package programmed, but we will not release the software until it has the reliability of a Signature Console," said Spadea, referring to one of the company's audio products. The company has built custom radio stations for colleges, government institutions and commercial radio stations.

LPB also makes a line of low-power AM transmitters for commercial night operation, carrier current and radiating cable installations for college campus radio stations, race tracks and sport arenas.

Spadea said, "The big challenge that LPB faces is re-establishing itself with the domestic customer base that has not heard much from LPB over the last few years. (We need) to get the word out to the industry that we're still here and stronger than ever." The company's headquarters will remain Frazer, Pa. "We will probably expand our offices and production areas sometime in 1999," Spadea said. According to Spadea, there are no plans for staffing changes. "I have made a commitment to the employees of LPB - the average length of service is over 15 years - to not displace any workers," he said. "The people in the shop a LPB have supported the products over the last 38 years.

"In many cases, people call LPB with questions on consoles and transmitters that were purchased 10 or 15 years ago, and they can talk to the person who actually built and tested their product," he said. Often, the original manuals or replacement parts for older products are also available.