ABOUT US
Modern Electronics and Equipment specializes in the fabrication of standard and custom pecan shelling equipment. We have been serving the needs of pecan shellers for decades. Our product line ranges from the most standard elevators to rare pieces of highly customized equipment.
Chances are you already know who we are, and maybe you already have some of our equipment in your shelling plant. If this is the case, we appreciate your business. If this isn't the case, ask around. We feel sure that you won't have to go far before you are recommended to buy from us because of our superior equipment and customer service.
Our expert staff will work with you to not only design your plant to your specifications, we also have the expertise and knowledge to fulfill your most daunting custom fabrication needs.
If you are just starting out in the shelling industry or if you own a small operation, don't worry. We cater to the "little guys" also. We have an extensive line of inexpensive crackers and shellers for you to start out with. Just browse through our site, and you will be well on your way to learning what you need to start a pecan shelling operation.
Chances are you already know who we are, and maybe you already have some of our equipment in your shelling plant. If this is the case, we appreciate your business. If this isn't the case, ask around. We feel sure that you won't have to go far before you are recommended to buy from us because of our superior equipment and customer service.
Our expert staff will work with you to not only design your plant to your specifications, we also have the expertise and knowledge to fulfill your most daunting custom fabrication needs.
If you are just starting out in the shelling industry or if you own a small operation, don't worry. We cater to the "little guys" also. We have an extensive line of inexpensive crackers and shellers for you to start out with. Just browse through our site, and you will be well on your way to learning what you need to start a pecan shelling operation.
COMPANY HISTORY
Modern Electronics Inc. was incorporated in June 1966 by Riemer Calhoun Sr. The original stock holders were Riemer Calhoun Sr., Tommy Calhoun, Carolyn Calhoun Whitehurst, and Gary Schmitz. The original mission was the manufacture and sale of a Schmitz-O-Matic color sorting machine. During the course of installing these machines in customers pecan shelling plants it was usually necessary for the customer to purchase bins, hoppers, elevators, feeders and other related equipment. Therefore these items along with an extensive line of other pecan processing equipment were added to the product line over the next few years.
Gary Schmitz was the driving force behind the company, in the beginning, with Robert Wells joining the company in early 1967 and Wayne Simmons coming on board in late 1967. Tommy Calhoun joined the company in 1968 as general manager. In 1970 the company moved from the original small facility to a much larger facility shown in the photograph above. In 1971 Tommy Calhoun acquired his fathers and his sisters shares of the company giving him majority ownership. In the same year the company acquired ownership of the assets of the old Louisiana Pecan Shelling Company, remodeled it , and in the fall of 1971 began in the pecan shelling business. In the spring of 1972, with Gary Schmitz not wanting Modern Electronics Inc. in the pecan shelling business, a trade was made whereby the company was divided into parts. Tommy Calhoun obtained 100% ownership of the pecan shelling plant. Gary Schmitz obtained 75% ownership of Modern Electronics Inc. with Robert Wells purchasing the remaining 25%. The company continued on through some rather difficult years until the death of Gary Schmitz in December of 1974. This resulted in cessation of operation for the company.
Robert Wells was encouraged by the attorney handling Gary Schmitz's estate and the president of a local bank to continue the business. Therefore Robert Wells with the help of these people refinanced the company and again began soliciting business in April 1975 focusing only on the mechanical machinery portion of the business without the color sorting machinery.
In January 1976 Robert Wells purchased the 75% ownership held by the estate of Gary Schmitz and sold his original 25% ownership to Wayne Simmons. The company continued on under the leadership of Robert Wells with the assistance of Wayne Simmons and prospered, primarily servicing the pecan shelling industry, but also manufacturing some machinery that was used in other types of edible nut plants until early 1998.
At that time all of the assets of Modern Electronics Inc. were sold to and the physical plant leased to Richard Oliver who then named the company Modern Electronics & Equipment Incorporated. All of the employees of the former company were retained. Robert Wells and Wayne Simmons retained employment with the new company until early 1999 at which time both retired. Shortly after Robert and Wayne retired, in June of 2000 Modern Electronics & Equipment bought the Meyer pecan equipment line. In December of 2003, the plant that had housed the company was condemned due to a road widening project on Highway 171. This forced Modern Electronics & Equipment to build a new plant in the local industrial park. They moved into this new building in December 2003, and were joined by Richard's son, Staten Oliver.
In December of 2013, Modern Electronics was purchased by Staten Oliver. He has continued the tradition of building equipment for the industry that will last for many years to come. Through all the changes that Modern Electronics & Equipment has gone through, one thing has and will remain the same. We will continue to treat our employees and customers with respect and honesty.
Gary Schmitz was the driving force behind the company, in the beginning, with Robert Wells joining the company in early 1967 and Wayne Simmons coming on board in late 1967. Tommy Calhoun joined the company in 1968 as general manager. In 1970 the company moved from the original small facility to a much larger facility shown in the photograph above. In 1971 Tommy Calhoun acquired his fathers and his sisters shares of the company giving him majority ownership. In the same year the company acquired ownership of the assets of the old Louisiana Pecan Shelling Company, remodeled it , and in the fall of 1971 began in the pecan shelling business. In the spring of 1972, with Gary Schmitz not wanting Modern Electronics Inc. in the pecan shelling business, a trade was made whereby the company was divided into parts. Tommy Calhoun obtained 100% ownership of the pecan shelling plant. Gary Schmitz obtained 75% ownership of Modern Electronics Inc. with Robert Wells purchasing the remaining 25%. The company continued on through some rather difficult years until the death of Gary Schmitz in December of 1974. This resulted in cessation of operation for the company.
Robert Wells was encouraged by the attorney handling Gary Schmitz's estate and the president of a local bank to continue the business. Therefore Robert Wells with the help of these people refinanced the company and again began soliciting business in April 1975 focusing only on the mechanical machinery portion of the business without the color sorting machinery.
In January 1976 Robert Wells purchased the 75% ownership held by the estate of Gary Schmitz and sold his original 25% ownership to Wayne Simmons. The company continued on under the leadership of Robert Wells with the assistance of Wayne Simmons and prospered, primarily servicing the pecan shelling industry, but also manufacturing some machinery that was used in other types of edible nut plants until early 1998.
At that time all of the assets of Modern Electronics Inc. were sold to and the physical plant leased to Richard Oliver who then named the company Modern Electronics & Equipment Incorporated. All of the employees of the former company were retained. Robert Wells and Wayne Simmons retained employment with the new company until early 1999 at which time both retired. Shortly after Robert and Wayne retired, in June of 2000 Modern Electronics & Equipment bought the Meyer pecan equipment line. In December of 2003, the plant that had housed the company was condemned due to a road widening project on Highway 171. This forced Modern Electronics & Equipment to build a new plant in the local industrial park. They moved into this new building in December 2003, and were joined by Richard's son, Staten Oliver.
In December of 2013, Modern Electronics was purchased by Staten Oliver. He has continued the tradition of building equipment for the industry that will last for many years to come. Through all the changes that Modern Electronics & Equipment has gone through, one thing has and will remain the same. We will continue to treat our employees and customers with respect and honesty.