Cal Duct

The Countdown to 50 starts now! Every 10 days we’ll be sharing 10 facts, memories, milestones, and behind-the-scenes moments from throughout the years. This week we’re kicking it off with our founding years (1976-1986)!

50. Cal-Duct was founded in 1976 by Frank & Darlene LaBree.
49. Our original location was in South El Monte on approximately three-quarters of an acre.
48. In 1976, General Telephone (GTE) was California’s leading communications company and utilized specialized conduit products (ie. GT-80 and later GT8342).
47. Founder Frank LaBree personally washed the trucks and mowed the lawn at the South El Monte facility after hours each week. If someone tried to assist and a hose was not wound back up with succinct precision or the grass was not cut to his standards, he would redo it.
46. Cal-Duct’s first tractor was a used 1979 Ford 7000. During one memorable incident, Frank attempted to help a driver hook up a trailer but forgot to lock the pin in place. The driver soon realized the trailer had detached and was traveling in the lane beside him. After that, Frank was no longer allowed to “help” with trailer hookups.
45. In December 1983, second-generation owner and current company leader Tracy Spreier joined the business, starting in the accounting department.
44. In 1984, Cal-Duct expanded by opening its second location at 175 W. Bryant Street in Bloomington.
43. One afternoon, while assisting in loading a stakebed truck with gates, Frank jumped down and his wedding ring caught on the gates, leaving him hanging until help arrived. Several stitches later, his finger survived— but the wedding ring did not as it had to be cut off to free him.
42. Back in the early days, the South El Monte facility featured a working keg of Michelob in the famous “yellow refrigerator,” complete with frosty mugs for after-hours enjoyment by employees and local customers. Much to everyone’s disappointment, the tradition ended in the early 1980s.
41. Cal-Duct’s trucks were converted to LPG fuel because propane was significantly less expensive at the time. While diesel prices had climbed to roughly $1.00-1.15 percent gallon, propane cost $0.50. Missing those fuel prices today!