Curiosity drives growth for hose, coupling firm NRP-Jones | Rubber News

SCHAUMBURG, Ill.—What does a relatively new chief executive officer to the hydraulics hose space speak about when invited to a hose and belt industry conference?

"Something other than the hose and belt industry," Joe Kochan, CEO of NRP-Jones L.L.C., said to laughter Oct. 1 at Rubber News' Hose and Belt Manufacturers Conference.

In fact, the leader of the hydraulic hose and coupling manufacturing firm based in La Porte, Ind., offered prescient words for any industry, and the talk resonated with the hose and belt producers in attendance.

"I grew up on the shop floor," Kochan said. "I've worked in automotive, marketing, heavy truck and industrial for most of my career, and I've been fortunate to have moved into some leadership positions.

"I have done this by learning through curiosity, a word that I have been using more and more, especially in this business."

Curiosity, as a precursor to knowledge of any industry, leads to better processes and market forecasts, Kochan said.

"What are the markets doing? Where are we headed?" Kochan asked.

Such forward-thinking questions have assisted Kochan, who has led NRP-Jones for the last 10-plus months, throughout his career.

Kochan has experience with Fortune 500 companies and private equity-backed firms, as NRP-Jones exists today.

NRP-Jones' headquarters and most of its distribution is in La Porte, and the hydraulic hose firm with market shares of oil field and agriculture does the entirety of its manufacturing in Nephi, Utah.

Earlier in his career, Kochan found himself in an automotive meeting with other executives.

"I asked them, what's next after hydraulics? I'm not suggesting as a CEO of a hydraulics company that hydraulics is going anywhere, anytime soon," Kochan said. "But it's about curiosity. Curiosity is leadership.

"If you're not being curious ... you're just chasing, and you will fall behind."

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NRP-Jones' very identity is a combination of manufacturing and "a tremendous distribution network," which Kochan considers both a customer and a channel.

Screw Machine Products Co., former parent company to its sales and marketing arm Jones Enterprise Inc., was founded by Keith Jones in 1945 in La Porte. SMP made hydraulic fittings, adapters and screw machine parts.

Nephi Rubber Products began in 1947 south of Salt Lake City, also a family-owned firm that made hydraulic hose and large diameter industrial hose.

Until the 1980s, NRP dedicated itself to privately branded hydraulic hose—which gave the firm high volume and low name recognition.

In 1991, the Jones family acquired 100 percent of NRP, and about 12 years ago the family sold to PE firm Main Street Capital.

And Kochan is hoping to improve the name recognition today with a new logo and a refreshed online presence.

"NRP will be 80 years old next year, and what is exciting there is the tremendous background that exists," Kochan said. "When we were acquired by Main Street Capital, this allowed us to invest and grow the company. I moved into a company with a tremendous amount of opportunity."

With that comes change, another chance to look ahead and to pace NRP-Jones, with confidence, into industry headwinds.

"We are going through a tremendous amount of change," Kochan said. "You will see a new website, with a logo that you can actually see. We are investing in equipment and processes, working on moving the company forward."

Kochan noted that he enjoys the work-hard, play-hard mentality of industrial markets.

"Industrial markets are just more fun," he said. "There is stress and strain, but things can change every day, and I enjoy solving difficult problems.

"We compete fiercely during the day and have a beer together at night."

Macro-economic hurdles, like wars, tariffs, geopolitics and weather-related challenges, cannot be controlled, making regionalism and proximity to customers critical.

Besides La Porte and Nephi, NRP-Jones distributes out of Houston. The locations combine to serve much of North America, Kochan said.

"No matter the size of the customer, we want to help you find your solutions," Kochan said. "I have enjoyed being a part of sales visits and have heard, 'NRP Jones picks up the phone.'

"More specifically, we pick up the phone and we have answers to questions while you're on the phone."

NRP-Jones will continue to build its portfolio, Kochan said.

"But ask questions about people, processes, structure along the way ... what makes this industry exciting? And what do we want to do tomorrow?" Kochan asked. "It's about finding ways to disrupt the typical thought process and mindset. This drives direction. Sometimes we look at past trends and let those drive us. Let's focus on the future and leave the past where it is.

"Think forward."

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