BC Group International

BC Group in St Louis is a leading provider of test and measurement equipment for the technical services marketplace. The company offers the biomedical industry 50 product lines—test equipment and tools as well as calibration and repair services for most types of test equipment.

Founded in 1988 by Bill Collier, BC Group was formed as a sales and service organization to handle the test equipment needs of the biomedical engineering community. Since the company first opened its doors 15 years ago, it has been one of the fastest-growing companies in St Louis and has built a reputation for excellence within the industry. 24x7 recently spoke to Collier to find out what makes BC Group such a recognizable name in the industry.

24x7: Your company profiles itself as a “one-stop shop.” What is meant by this phrase?

Bill Collier: We are very different from others in the test-equipment business. Most other companies manufacture a limited line of products or have their products made and then place their own label on them. For the first 13 years we were in business, we served as a distributor of products, and we still do that. Three years ago we introduced our own product line—BC Biomedical—to our already broad distributor lineup. For virtually any customer looking for test equipment, tools, calibration, and repair services—you name it, we provide it.

24x7: BC Group was recognized in 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003 as one of the fastest growing technology companies in the St Louis market. To what do you attribute the rapid growth and success of your company?

Collier: Years ago, when we first began BC Group, we purposely sat down and decided what we were passionate about in regard to doing business. We came up with many areas of business we felt passionate about securing, but we realized that behind them all were two fundamental principles: 1) integrity, which is part of our company tagline; and 2) creating relationships with our customers and supplying them with the high-quality items they want. Our products are basic items that will do the job, and they won’t have unnecessary costs attached to them.

24x7: Your company is known to participate in donations for worthy causes. To which causes do you donate? Why do you choose to do this?

Collier: We’ve focused on Christian-based medical missions that have overseas affiliations. We’ve made donations to International Aid, Samaritan’s Purse, and a few other similar organizations. These volunteer biomedical engineers go into third-world countries to fix extremely outdated medical equipment. Most of the time, the volunteer technicians don’t have the test equipment to fix the old systems. Our thought is, if they are going to donate their time to help in such a way, we will supply them with the tools to do so. We also give used equipment to biomedical schools. You’d be surprised to learn how many schools across the country are in need of some pretty basic equipment.

24x7: With your strong customer loyalty and willingness to support the medical community, one cannot help but notice the fact that BC Group has not overlooked the human side of doing business. Why is this philosophy such a strong point with the company?

Collier: My motivations as founder/owner came from my past working experiences. I worked in a few large companies where cynicism and manipulation were common. I didn’t like that kind of setting. I told myself that if I ever started my own company it would reflect my values and my beliefs of how to do business. It is possible to have a company that’s friendly to its employees as well as to its customers. It seems to be a common misconception that in order to have a value-driven company, you have to sacrifice profit. That’s simply not true, as evidenced by BC Group’s success.