March 18, 2009

It is with a very heavy heart that I bring you the sad news that Mr. Garrett, the founder of Formetco has passed away.

Mr. Garrett has been in semi-retirement for the last year, so some of you may not be as familiar with him as those who have been with the company for a longer period. Those of you who were fortunate enough to meet and know Mr. Garrett knew of his commitment to the success of Formetco, but you also know that he was truly dedicated to his employees.

I just want to take a few minutes to tell you a little bit about the man to whom we each owe a debt of gratitude.

Mr. Garrett developed a strong work ethic as a young boy growing up on the family farm. He was the first member of the Garrett family to ever attend college. It was at Westminster College, where Mr. Garrett became an All American College Soccer player, that he met Renee Roberts. It really was love at first sight and Mr. Garrett won his most valuable trophy.

Mr. Garrett’s love and honor for his country led him to serve with distinction during the Korean War as a Company Commander. He provided critical tank training for our troops. I recently flew to Korea on a business trip for Formetco and Ad-Tech. On my return trip back to the states I sat beside an 83-year-old Korea gentleman who had been a career officer in the Korean navy. He told me he wanted to thank me for our great nation. I told him that the thanks goes to those American Soldiers who served with distinction in Korea and that I was proud to know Larry Garrett, one of the best leaders of that time.

After college and his service to our country, Mr. Garrett applied his degree in Metallurgy to becoming one of the top sales managers for Armco Steel, which was one of the largest steel companies in the United States. In 1969, Mr. Garrett took the opportunity to take over the outdoor product line from Armco Steel. The name Formetco was actually jotted down on a napkin. With Mr. Garrett’s love of the steel industry and his education as a Metallurgist, the name Formed Metals Company, or Formetco, exemplified the foundation for his new company.

Formetco went on to form more metal sections for billboards than any company in the history of the billboard industry in the United States. Another of Mr. Garrett’s goals was realized when he founded Peachtree Metals. Peachtree Metals has risen to be one of the most successful stainless steel bar suppliers in the United States. When Mr. Garrett recognized that Ad-Tech had risen to become the nation’s leader in Tri-Face Displays and had a very bright future in other key markets in the sign industry, he welcomed Ad-Tech and their employees into the Formetco family of companies.

When I say family, let me emphasize that family is the hallmark of Mr. Garrett’s legacy. First, he was, with all of his heart and all of his soul, committed through love and dedication to his true love, Renee, his wife, and to daughters Maggie and Laurieann, and their families. I came to work for Mr. Garrett when there were only four employees. He emphasized that this was the beginning of the Formetco Family. He told me that as the company grew and prospered we and every one who worked here were to be considered the Formetco family. He said, “As I love my own family, I want to show that same love and respect for the Formetco family of employees.”

In recent weeks, Mr. Garrett expressed his concern about our nation’s economy and its effect on Formetco and our employees. He lifted our spirits with his eternal optimism for our future. He reminded us of tough times we have gone through in the past and that each time we have come out stronger and better. His words of wisdom and encouragement will continue to be the driving force in our success.

So today we say goodbye to the Father of our company. Today we say goodbye to a man whose vision and love for his own family and all those members of the Formetco family will live on for future generations.

Please join me in a moment of silence as we raise up to God Almighty our love for Him and the blessings he bestowed upon us through the life of Mr. Garrett. Our Almighty and beloved father, we lift up Larry Garrett to you.

Sincerely,

John Gibb

Funeral arrangements will be forwarded as they become available.