New location offers more services, visibility
Staff reporter
Lin Slifer, owner of LinCo, Inc., is pleased with his recent move.
"We have a lot more space now," he said, referring to the corner location at 426 East Main Street, Marion.
The business was located in part of a building owned and occupied by Flaming Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. at 113 South Second Street, Marion.
Slifer moved his electrical service and contracting company the first of November to the East Main Street address. The building was purchased by a limited liability company Slifer owns, and LinCo leases the building from it.
Gene Winkler, who owns and operates G&J Video, Gene's Travel, and Alltel, will continue operations from that location. A television studio for the cable television community channel also will remain.
"We were limited with shop and inventory space at our former location," said Slifer. "This location will give us more accessibility and better visibility to the public."
No stranger to the electrical business, two of the three full-time employees of LinCo bring nearly 50 years of combined experience to the business.
Slifer, who opened his business in 2001, has 16 years electrical experience, and Clyde Secrest of Marion, has 32 years of experience. Apprentice Darrel Shults of Marion, has been with the company for five months.
There also are several part-time employees who assist the business.
In addition to providing electrical service to commercial, industrial, and residential customers, LinCo also provides installation of telephone and networking systems, and security, fire alarm, and surveillance systems.
"The three of us (full-time employees) are certified installers for telephone and fiber optic cable," said Slifer. They also are proficiently trained to install security, fire alarm, and surveillance systems.
Slifer said when he first opened his business, he offered installation of various types of security and fire systems but found he was "spread too thin."
"With Clyde as project manager, we are able to provide expanded services," said Slifer.
The company provides services locally, and have customers from Salina to Winfield, and McPherson to Hutchinson.
The team also provides annual fire alarm inspections.
"Commercial and industrial businesses are required to have annual inspections," said Slifer, "and we're qualified to provide those."
Slifer also holds memberships with the National Fire Protection Association — the organization that establishes and publishes fire and safety code standards — and the International Association of Electrical Inspectors. Slifer is past president of the Kansas chapter.
With the recent move, Slifer does not plan to expand his services but is always looking for qualified electricians to assist his company with existing services.
"We're glad to be on Main Street and continue providing services to Marion and the surrounding area," Slifer said.
