[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 99 (Wednesday, July 22, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1386-E1387]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CONGRATULATING SCRUGGS, INC.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 22, 1998

  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, Scruggs, Inc., a leading Knoxville business, 
has recently received national recognition as the ``1998 Dealer of the 
Year'' by ``Foodservice Equipment and Supplies Magazine.'' Scruggs, 
Inc. is a 66-year-old, third generation restaurant equipment and design 
company in Knoxville, TN.
  Scruggs, Inc., founded in 1932, by Mr. Carlton Scruggs, now has over 
55 employees and sales of over $15 million a year. In a time where many 
family businesses may be experiencing difficulties, it is wonderful to 
see this family business doing so well.
  The Scruggs family is one of east Tennessee's most respected 
families. I have known Mr. Jim Scruggs, who recently retired from the 
company, for many years. Now, the day-to-day operations are managed by 
his sons, Lee and Andrew.
  I congratulate the Scruggs family on this well-deserved honor, and I 
wish them continued success. I would like to call to the attention of 
all of my Colleagues and other readers of the Congressional Record the 
article from the ``Knoxville News Sentinel'' concerning this 
outstanding award.


[[Page E1387]]



                   [From the Knoxville News Sentinel]

 ``Dealer of the Year''; Magazine Awards Knox Family Firm Scruggs Inc.

                            (By Jerry Dean)

       Scruggs Inc., a 66-year-old Knoxville company which sells 
     and services food service equipment, has come far since 
     Earnest Carleton Scruggs of Sweetwater first bought such 
     equipment on New York's Bowery for resale in Knoxville in 
     1932.
       Named Foodservice Equipment & Supplies magazine's 1998 
     ``Dealer of the Year`` in May, Scruggs was featured in the 
     magazine's 50th anniversary issue, which noted its ``record 
     of integrity, innovation and leadership.''
       ``Exemplary customer service expresses the ruling 
     philosophy of this company,'' said Publisher Sandra A. Smith.
       Scruggs Inc., now with 55 employees, operates a 60,000-
     square-foot warehouse and an 18,000-square-foot showroom at 
     3011 Industrial Parkway East, northwest of Western and Texas 
     Avenues, east of Interstate 75 in Knoxville.
       Lee E. and Andrew D. Scruggs, brothers and latest of three 
     generations to run the business, said 50 years by coincidence 
     is how long their father, James Scruggs, has been associated 
     with Scruggs Inc. Though retired, he remains a design 
     consultant for its customers, including restaurants, soda 
     fountains and grocers in East Tennessee.
       ``There's nothing magical about the firm's success,'' Lee 
     Scruggs said. ``We merely try to do what we say we'll do. And 
     to look after our customers well.''
       James Scruggs began the business in 1948 and was joined in 
     1950 by elder brother E.C. Jr. and younger brother, Pat. 
     James began by drawing floor plans, but after his elder 
     brother's death, James learned sales and administration to 
     assume leadership. In 1961, he helped found Equipment 
     Distributors Inc., a buyers' group that helps all 22 of its 
     area dealer-members prosper.
       Scruggs Inc., with $15 million in 1997 sales, maintains a 
     tidy division of labors between brothers Lee, who administers 
     the company, and Andrew, who directs sales. Lee, a UT 
     graduate and former youth minister, joined Scruggs in 1980 as 
     warehouse manager. Andrew, a Texas Christian University 
     graduate, joined the firm in 1979 after working for a 
     restaurant chain. Also working closely with the Scruggses are 
     key employees like Ed Poore, the comptroller.
       The firm opened a Tri-Cities sales office-showroom in April 
     and expects it to help boost sales to $25 million. Scruggs 
     also operates a Nashville cash-and carry outlet.
       Scruggs Inc. sells and installs such equipment as cook 
     tops, 10-burner ranges, freezers and such ``smallware'' as 
     glassware and serving utensils. Its 5,000 customers include 
     restaurants, hospitals, nursing homes and schools.

     

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