As Lexco® Cable celebrates its 50th anniversary, the company reflects on a journey of innovation, resilience, and growth. From its humble beginnings as a hardware and bicycle shop on Chicago's west side, Lexco Cable has evolved into a leader in the mechanical cable industry, renowned for its high-quality products and custom assembly capabilities. This milestone is a testament to Lexco Cable's longevity, entrepreneurial spirit, and hard work that have driven the company for five decades. Throughout these years, Lexco Cable has maintained its commitment to customer satisfaction and trusted expertise, adapting to industry changes while upholding its core values. This blog invites you to look back on Lexco Cable's past, highlight key milestones, and share its vision for the future.
In 1952, Lexco Cable's journey began with two determined brothers, Harold and Ray Karbin. Returning from the Korean War, Harold found that Ray had taken his stored hardware and automotive supplies to set up a stand at Chicago's famous Maxwell Street Market. This initiative marked the humble beginnings of Lexco Cable. Their stand quickly became popular, offering a variety of hardware goods and automotive parts at the largest open-air market in the country. By 1953, the success of their market venture allowed them to rent and repurpose a storefront inside the recently closed Lexington Theatre, where they established Lex Supply Hardware & Automotive. In 1956, a pivotal moment occurred when Schwinn Bicycles approached the Karbins with an offer to open a franchise, contingent on the store carrying a reasonable amount of bike inventory. Seizing this opportunity, they rebranded as Lex Supply Bike and Mower, starting with 10 bikes. The timing was perfect, as America soon experienced a bicycle craze with Chicago at its epicenter. This led the Karbins to focus solely on bicycles, dropping their hardware and automotive offerings. In 1962, they moved to Bryn Mawr Avenue on Chicago's north side, where they continued to innovate. A revolutionary idea to use plastic-coated wire rope for bike locks significantly boosted their business, providing safer and more durable locks that maintained bike aesthetics. 
By 1974, their continuous growth and innovation led to the formal establishment of Lexco® Cable, marking the start of a new era focused on wire rope and cable manufacturing.
In 1978, Neal Karbin joined the company, bringing a fresh perspective and a vision for diversification. Neal's influence was pivotal, as he advocated for the company's expansion beyond the bicycle market. This led to the acquisition of their first extruder, which was a significant investment that allowed Lexco Cable to begin manufacturing coated cables independently. In 1979, the business moved to a larger facility on Belmont Avenue, which provided the space needed to accommodate PVC extrusion and crimping machines. In 1994 Neal’s sister Karen Peterson began as the General Manager. Karen's contributions were instrumental in optimizing inventory management, financial analysis, and software implementation, further solidifying Lexco Cable's operational foundation. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Lexco Cable continued to innovate, introducing custom cable assemblies, push-pull controls, and the extrusion of nylon coatings. These advancements enabled Lexco Cable to serve a broader range of industries, including automotive, industrial, and commercial sectors. The company's commitment to quality and customer satisfaction was unwavering, laying a strong foundation for future growth. By 2000, Lexco Cable had firmly established itself as a trusted partner in the mechanical cable industry, known for its high-quality assemblies.
From 2000 to today, Lexco Cable has embraced modernization, transforming into a cutting-edge leader in the wire rope industry. The turn of the millennium marked a significant period of growth and innovation for Lexco Cable. One of the major milestones was the closure of the bicycle business, which allowed the company to focus entirely on wire rope and cable assembly manufacturing. The bike business presented challenges due to market seasonality. Neal often took car trips throughout the Midwest, visiting every bike shop he could find to make sales. The 'dating' process used by bike dealers for inventory purchases was expensive and time-consuming, adding another layer of difficulty. This contributed to the decision to discontinue the bike business. The strategic shift was not easy, but the timing felt right with the passing of founder Harold Karbin in 2016.
Neal’s son David Karbin, who joined the company full-time in 2006, brought a focus to sales and marketing. In 2009, Lexco Cable's commitment to quality was recognized with ISO 9001 certification, and in 2010, they became a Cablecraft Certified Assembler of Push-Pull Controls. The establishment of a CNC department in 2014 further enhanced their production capabilities, allowing for greater precision and product customization. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Lexco Cable not only survived but thrived, maintaining its workforce and continuing to grow. Today, Lexco Cable is poised to continue leading the wire rope and mechanical cable assembly industry with a focus on innovation and quality.
As Lexco Cable looks ahead, the company remains committed to innovation, growth, and maintaining its legacy of excellence. One of the primary goals is to continue expanding their product lines and custom assembly capabilities to meet the evolving needs of various industries, including military, industrial, aerospace, marine, agriculture, fitness, construction, infrastructure, and mining applications. Investing in technology is a crucial aspect of Lexco Cable’s future plans. The company intends to enhance its digital infrastructure to streamline operations further. This includes upgrading their current ERP. Lexco Cable continues to prioritize employee development and retention by offering training, career advancement opportunities, and a family-oriented culture where employees feel valued and engaged. Lexco Cable’s vision for the future also includes expanding its market reach by leveraging new marketing strategies and exploring untapped markets to increase global presence and strengthen relationships with international clients.
Celebrating its 50th anniversary, Lexco Cable reflects on a journey of steady and deliberate progress. With Neal and David Karbin at the helm, the focus has always been on continuous improvement and innovation. Engaged in the day-to-day operations, they are constantly looking ahead to the next opportunity for advancement. Despite the focus on the future, the achievements of the past 50 years are a source of immense pride. David Karbin, Vice President of Lexco Cable stated, "Even though the changes feel gradual because we're involved in daily operations, looking back, it's impressive how many adjustments we've made to keep the business thriving." The family aspect, a core part of Lexco Cable’s identity, has been a driving force behind their success. Neal Karbin, President of Lexco Cable said, "Our family-oriented culture is the backbone of our success. It's what motivates us to constantly improve and strive for greatness." This supportive environment motivates employees and drives continuous improvement. As Lexco Cable plans for the future, they are committed to maintaining their legacy of excellent customer service, high-quality products, and innovative capabilities.
To learn more about Lexco Cable’s legacy and expertise visit https://bit.ly/4cAGnI1
