Wood Industry Market Leader: Jeff Pray, PIN

“If we chase perfection, we will at least attain excellence.” Thus is the mantra of Jeff Pray, president and CEO of PIN as he leads the Irving, TX-based fixtures manufacturer to new heights.

Under his direction, PIN has readied itself for continued growth, “making the decision to continue reinvesting in technology, equipment and expanding our plant for additional capacity,” Pray says.

The company achieved 57.6 percent sales growth in 2010 and the future outlook for PIN continues to be bright, Pray says. “We are building the best team in the industry to manage the processes and details required to continue our goal of always exceeding customer expectations.” PIN currently services the retail, healthcare, hospitality and exhibit industries.

Pray’s early work, as a teenager employed at Charles Nash making water skis and skateboards, and later as an adult running a food distribution center, provided him with valuable skills that he would apply to PIN.

“Nash was very seasonal, shipping most of its annual orders over a 90-day period, so we had to be very nimble and able to change direction very quickly,” he says. “The food industry is very strict on product handling and sanitation. These characteristics are both very important in the success of PIN,” which celebrates its 20th anniversary in February.

Success also comes from the company’s ability to grow business through the existing and new customer base, as well as diversifying into other product lines, Pray says. “My proudest achievements are everyday, when I see that we are able to provide careers to so many associates and quality products to so many customers,” he adds.

A proponent of sustainable manufacturing, PIN has won awards for its customer service, product designs as well as its innovative use of technology. The company also is a member of the Association for Retail Environments and Architectural Woodwork Institute.

It’s not all work though for Pray, whose interests include “sneaking away to the mountains in Colorado with my family for skiing, hiking, rafting, camping and riding snowmobiles.”

Quick Glimpse

• Education: University of Texas/Arlington
• Years at the company: 20 (Feb.) • Years in the industry: 23
• Word that best describes you: Intense
• The best advice received: When I would make a mistake, my father would remind me that education is always expensive, no matter how it is obtained. 
•  The person you have tried to emulate in business and why: Chuck Stevens. When PIN first started, we purchased component parts from Stevens. I was amazed at the way he invested so much into technology and equipment to produce quality parts.