(BTL Liners’ company motto is that there is no job too big or too small, including this 40-acre reservoir | Photo courtesy of BTL Liners)
BTL Liners in Prineville is a multigenerational family business that has grown up alongside Central Oregon. As our region has expanded, so has BTL Liners, which manufactures liners, covers and tarps of all sizes. In 1981, Ron and Lynne Perlatti started the business as Bend Tarp and Liner, located in a 1,500-square-foot leased space on Cady Way at the north end of Bend. Since that time, BTL Liners has outgrown several locations, and new family members have continued to step up to run the company.
The Perlatti’s business grew year-over-year, with the high demand for truck tarps driving sales back in the lumber days, and then when they created the first pond liners available in Central Oregon, fabricated from the original tarp material. Needing more space, the Perlattis moved their company to a 6,000-square-foot building on Ninth Street in Bend in the mid-‘80s, and in the early 1990s, the Perlatti’s son, Brad Elliott, and his wife, Jan, came on board and worked in the family business. After five years, Brad and Jan purchased the company in 1997.
“We had worked in the family business for five years learning all aspects of the small business,” says Jan. “We had about eight employees then, and two of them are still with us today.” She continues, “We owned several other buildings in Bend, and after moving to two larger buildings — one on Layton Avenue and the other 30,000-square-foot facility on Sockeye and 18th — we could no longer find property in Bend to house our needs. We realized we had outgrown the industrial space the City of Bend had to offer.”
To solve their need for a larger space, 16 years ago, the Elliotts purchased a parcel of about nine acres in Prineville next to the airport in the Tom McCall Business Park, and had SunWest Builders build them an 84,000-square-foot facility. “At the time, we were the first business in that area,” says Jan. “Now, we are across the street from Facebook, which came in years later, and other new buildings are springing up all around us.”
BTL Liners — which can make the largest single panels in the industry at 150,000 square feet — continues to grow every year, Jan says, as the agriculture business and water-retention needs continue to escalate. The company motto is “No Job is too big or too small,” and Jan says they use every inch of their 84,000 square feet. The state-of-the-art fabrication and welding facility allows BTL Liners to compete not only regionally and nationally, but also internationally. “The business runs smoothly year after year due to the dedication of all the employees of BTL,” she says. “Many have been on the team for decades! We pay well and value what each individual brings to the table. We are always seeking the best personnel in the industry.” Throughout the pandemic, she says BTL Liners has made the needed adjustments to keep the doors open.
Now, with the new year, BTL Liners has shifted yet again into the hands of the next generation. As of January 1, 2022, the company was acquired by Travis and Chelsea Wilcox, the Elliott’s daughter and son-in-law. “They have both worked in the business since 2001, since graduating from Bend High and Mountain View High. Three years ago, they purchased part of the business and have exceeded all of our expectations. They are very excited to take the business to the next level.” She adds, “Travis is president, leads 25 employees and is on top of his game for sure!”
The Elliotts are excited to have the third generation now taking over, Jan says, “And their two teenage boys have expressed interest in the business too! Our greatest triumphs are carrying on the business to the next generation and maintaining the best reputation in the industry.”
btlliners.com • 541-447-0712
