About Us

In 1946, Byars Machine Company was created to repair steel rollers that were used in textile mills. A partnership was formed between Merial Byars, Jr., Bob Byars, and Joe Edge. Operations began in a small shop in Lanford, South Carolina. As the partners' reputation grew, Byars Machine Company was soon repairing rolls for textile mills all over the southeastern United States.

As technology advanced to allow the mass production, and subsequent lower price, of new steel rolls, repairing old ones ceased to be cost-effective for the mills; Byars found it necessary to modify their operation to stay in business. This was done by expanding their product line to include the manufacturing of fabric inspection machines, yarn creels, custom machinery, and material handing devices.

After several moves to increasingly larger buildings to accommodate the company's steadily growing operation, the partners decided in 1968 to build a customized facility off Highway 14 so they could remain in their Laurens location. With that facility, they also bought thirty acres of land to provide for future expansion. Today, Byars Machine Company remains at that custom-built facility, which now boasts over 220,000 square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space. The product diversity embraced by the company all those years ago is what sets Byars apart from its competitors. That diversity, combined with cutting edge technology, precision equipment, and the partners' original ethic to offer only the best in quality craftsmanship, has made Byars one of America's leading machine companies. You'll find Byars products used in a vast array of industries, from aerospace and defense to food service and automotive, to the textile industry from which it was spawned.

Current management of Byars Machine Company includes:

President: Larry N. Edge

Executive Vice President: Mike V. Senn

Machine Shop Sales: David Allen

Fabrication Sales: Mike Godfrey