United’s 35,000th internet subscriber reflects the power
of local partnerships and long-term investment.
by
MEGAN NEWTON
As visitors arrived for the grand opening of Prime Metal Buildings & Components’ newest flagship location in Stephenville, they were greeted by more than a ribbon-cutting celebration. While tours of the new facility, live entertainment and a barbecue lunch marked the company’s newest chapter, the neighboring Tarleton State University’s Southwest Regional Dairy Center provided a fitting reminder of where Prime’s story began nearly three decades ago.
Prime was founded in 1997 when Keith Brown and the late Bud Sakraida combined decades of experience in the dairy and construction industries to meet the growing needs of dairy producers in Erath County. Brown owned a dairy equipment business, while Sakraida had spent 50 years designing and constructing dairy farms across the United States. Together, they purchased a roll former and built the foundation for what would become one of Texas’ leading metal building manufacturers.
Prime’s continued growth is reflected in another important milestone. The company’s newest location is also United Cooperative Services’ 35,000th internet subscriber and United’s 100th large business to take advantage of the cooperative’s world-class, high-speed fiber-optic internet service.
“Reaching 35,000 internet subscribers is an exciting milestone, but what makes it meaningful is the success of the members behind that number,” United CEO Cameron Smallwood said. “Prime’s story reflects exactly why we’ve invested in bringing reliable, high-speed fiber internet to our communities. When local businesses have the infrastructure they need to grow, the entire community benefits.”
Jeff Pannell is United’s vice president of business and community development. He said becoming the cooperative’s 100th large business reflects Prime’s continued investment in the region and the growing demand for reliable utility and fiber services among expanding businesses.
“When businesses are deciding where to invest, infrastructure is one of the first things they ask about,” Pannell said. “Reliable electric service and fiber connectivity help communities compete for new jobs and continued investment.”
Today, Prime is still family owned and operated and employs more than 300 people, operates seven locations across Texas and serves commercial, residential, agricultural, aviation and equestrian customers nationwide. Its Stephenville flagship is nearly twice the size of Prime’s other retail stores, giving the company room to expand production, add new equipment and better serve customers.
“I could never have imagined where technology would take manufacturing or where it would take our business,” Brown said. “Today we’re operating advanced robotic equipment, transferring massive engineering files instantly, communicating with customers and partners across the country and around the world, and relying on technology in virtually every part of our operation.”
As Prime grew from a small dairy supplier into a nationwide manufacturer, its need for dependable high-speed connectivity grew right alongside it. Brown said United continually invested in the infrastructure needed to support each new stage of the company’s growth.
“What has impressed me over the years is that United has consistently kept pace with our growth,” he said. “Every time our business reached a new level, they had a can-do attitude and found a way to support what we needed. They helped ensure that infrastructure was never the reason we couldn’t move forward.”
Keith’s son, Austin Brown, now serves as Prime’s CEO. Having grown up in the industry and worked virtually every job in the company, Austin said those experiences continue to shape the way he leads.
“I think it is hard to truly lead a business if you do not understand the process and the work it takes to get things done,” Austin said. “Growing up in the business and working in so many different areas gave me a real appreciation for the people doing the work every day.”
Austin said the evolution of technology has transformed Prime’s day-to-day operations.
“I will never forget my dad showing me dial-up internet in the early days of Prime,” he said.
“Today, we are globally connected and literally working with people in multiple countries, 24 hours a day. We serve customers from California to Alaska and Hawaii to New York. Reliable internet is no longer just a convenience. It is a core part of how we operate every day.”
Richardo Garza sees the importance of reliable connectivity every day. As Prime’s chief information officer, he oversees the technology that keeps the company’s operations connected—from the front office to the production floor.
“Internet connectivity is the backbone of pretty much everything we do,” Garza said. “If the internet is down, our ability to operate is severely hindered across the board.”
Garza said engineering, drafting, supply chain management, production, sales and customer communication all depend on a fast, reliable connection, and allow employees to work efficiently while providing a better customer experience.
When it came time to select an internet provider, Garza said Prime looked beyond speed.
“For us, it came down to three things: local presence, customer service and reliability,” he said. “United isn’t a faceless national provider. They’re local, they’re responsive and when we need something, we actually get taken care of.”
Chris MacIntyre, United’s vice president of internet services, said Prime’s experience reflects a broader shift in what businesses value when choosing an internet provider.
“Businesses have less margin for downtime than ever before,” he said. “They expect their internet provider to be a dependable partner—one that delivers consistent service, responds quickly when issues arise and helps them stay focused on running their business.”
For Austin, becoming United’s 35,000th internet subscriber and 100th large commercial account represents another chapter in a relationship that has grown alongside the company.
“Prime has always believed in local relationships and long-term partnerships,” he said. “For us to be tied to both of those milestones, especially at our new flagship location in Erath County, feels fitting. Prime started here and we’re continuing to invest here.”
“Erath County is where Prime began in 1997, and it will always be home,” Keith said. As we’ve grown across Texas and into markets throughout the country, it is important to us that our flagship location remain here. This community believed in us from the beginning.”
As visitors arrived for the grand opening of Prime Metal Buildings & Components’ newest flagship location in Stephenville, they were greeted by more than a ribbon-cutting celebration. While tours of the new facility, live entertainment and a barbecue lunch marked the company’s newest chapter, the neighboring Tarleton State University’s Southwest Regional Dairy Center provided a fitting reminder of where Prime’s story began nearly three decades ago.
Prime was founded in 1997 when Keith Brown and the late Bud Sakraida combined decades of experience in the dairy and construction industries to meet the growing needs of dairy producers in Erath County. Brown owned a dairy equipment business, while Sakraida had spent 50 years designing and constructing dairy farms across the United States. Together, they purchased a roll former and built the foundation for what would become one of Texas’ leading metal building manufacturers.
Prime’s continued growth is reflected in another important milestone. The company’s newest location is also United Cooperative Services’ 35,000th internet subscriber and United’s 100th large business to take advantage of the cooperative’s world-class, high-speed fiber-optic internet service.
“Reaching 35,000 internet subscribers is an exciting milestone, but what makes it meaningful is the success of the members behind that number,” United CEO Cameron Smallwood said. “Prime’s story reflects exactly why we’ve invested in bringing reliable, high-speed fiber internet to our communities. When local businesses have the infrastructure they need to grow, the entire community benefits.”
Jeff Pannell is United’s vice president of business and community development. He said becoming the cooperative’s 100th large business reflects Prime’s continued investment in the region and the growing demand for reliable utility and fiber services among expanding businesses.
“When businesses are deciding where to invest, infrastructure is one of the first things they ask about,” Pannell said. “Reliable electric service and fiber connectivity help communities compete for new jobs and continued investment.”
Today, Prime is still family owned and operated and employs more than 300 people, operates seven locations across Texas and serves commercial, residential, agricultural, aviation and equestrian customers nationwide. Its Stephenville flagship is nearly twice the size of Prime’s other retail stores, giving the company room to expand production, add new equipment and better serve customers.
“I could never have imagined where technology would take manufacturing or where it would take our business,” Brown said. “Today we’re operating advanced robotic equipment, transferring massive engineering files instantly, communicating with customers and partners across the country and around the world, and relying on technology in virtually every part of our operation.”
As Prime grew from a small dairy supplier into a nationwide manufacturer, its need for dependable high-speed connectivity grew right alongside it. Brown said United continually invested in the infrastructure needed to support each new stage of the company’s growth.
“What has impressed me over the years is that United has consistently kept pace with our growth,” he said. “Every time our business reached a new level, they had a can-do attitude and found a way to support what we needed. They helped ensure that infrastructure was never the reason we couldn’t move forward.”
Keith’s son, Austin Brown, now serves as Prime’s CEO. Having grown up in the industry and worked virtually every job in the company, Austin said those experiences continue to shape the way he leads.
“I think it is hard to truly lead a business if you do not understand the process and the work it takes to get things done,” Austin said. “Growing up in the business and working in so many different areas gave me a real appreciation for the people doing the work every day.”
Austin said the evolution of technology has transformed Prime’s day-to-day operations.
“I will never forget my dad showing me dial-up internet in the early days of Prime,” he said.
“Today, we are globally connected and literally working with people in multiple countries, 24 hours a day. We serve customers from California to Alaska and Hawaii to New York. Reliable internet is no longer just a convenience. It is a core part of how we operate every day.”
Richardo Garza sees the importance of reliable connectivity every day. As Prime’s chief information officer, he oversees the technology that keeps the company’s operations connected—from the front office to the production floor.
“Internet connectivity is the backbone of pretty much everything we do,” Garza said. “If the internet is down, our ability to operate is severely hindered across the board.”
Garza said engineering, drafting, supply chain management, production, sales and customer communication all depend on a fast, reliable connection, and allow employees to work efficiently while providing a better customer experience.
When it came time to select an internet provider, Garza said Prime looked beyond speed.
“For us, it came down to three things: local presence, customer service and reliability,” he said. “United isn’t a faceless national provider. They’re local, they’re responsive and when we need something, we actually get taken care of.”
Chris MacIntyre, United’s vice president of internet services, said Prime’s experience reflects a broader shift in what businesses value when choosing an internet provider.
“Businesses have less margin for downtime than ever before,” he said. “They expect their internet provider to be a dependable partner—one that delivers consistent service, responds quickly when issues arise and helps them stay focused on running their business.”
For Austin, becoming United’s 35,000th internet subscriber and 100th large commercial account represents another chapter in a relationship that has grown alongside the company.
“Prime has always believed in local relationships and long-term partnerships,” he said. “For us to be tied to both of those milestones, especially at our new flagship location in Erath County, feels fitting. Prime started here and we’re continuing to invest here.”
“Erath County is where Prime began in 1997, and it will always be home,” Keith said. As we’ve grown across Texas and into markets throughout the country, it is important to us that our flagship location remain here. This community believed in us from the beginning.”