The Galanis Story
Terry Galanis Sr. and his son Terry Galanis Jr. know what it takes to successfully run a family business. Their firm, Sealing Devices of Lancaster,
is one born of humble beginnings which through dedication, hard work and an eye toward the future, has enjoyed sustained growth.
Both agree that the success of Sealing Devices was not achieved with luck, but rather through adherence to principles characteristic of most family owned enterprises: integrity, loyalty to employees and commitment to the local community.
Terry Galanis Sr. followed those standards from the time he founded Sealing Devices in 1963, distributing o-rings, gaskets and seals from the garage of his home in Alden. And Terry Galanis Jr., the firm’s current president and CEO, has kept to the same formula, creating an environment in which all employees feel they are an important part of the company’s success.
Sealing Devices is a prime example of a family business success story, growing steadily over the years as resources were continually pumped into the firm. The days of the Galanis family packaging o-rings by hand in the living room of their home are long gone, replaced by a state-of-the-art facility in Lancaster that has expanded in size twice and now employs more than 150 people.
"When I started Sealing Devices, the only thing I was hoping for was sales of half a million dollars and a few employees,” Terry Sr. said. His expectations have been far exceeded, but the family’s commitment to the continued growth and wellbeing of the business remains unchanged.
“Family firms tend to put more emphasis on growing the business rather than taking money out,” Terry Jr. said. “We’ve always been more concerned with the business than making money for ourselves.”
The Galanis family felt it was important to recognize family firms and the significant role they play in the nation’s economy. In 1999, Terry Sr. and his late wife, Marian, and Terry Jr. presented Alfred University with a gift that established the family business awards program.
The Galanises felt it was important to recognize family firms and the significant role they play in the nation’s economy. The awards have for the last three years lauded the achievements of notable family firms throughout Western New York. The awards recognize firms for their business success as well as their commitment to their employees and local communities and innovation.
“Alfred decided they wanted to use (the Galanis gift) to promote and recognize the family business owners in this region,” Terry Jr., an Alfred University trustee, said. “They’re the ones out there every day contributing to the economy.”
“We hope this makes the public aware of the contributions family firms make to the economy and society,” added Terry Sr., a 1940 Alfred University graduate who today serves as company chairman. “Small businesses provide half the employment in our country, yet they receive little recognition. This honors those businesses, many of which are family firms.
“I think the response has been tremendous,” Terry Jr. said. “We have more and more quality first-rate family businesses coming through.”
Terry Jr. feels family firms are different from non-family owned and publicly held businesses.
“Today, especially, you see more integrity in family businesses. It has the individual’s name on it and the employees have a stronger feeling of loyalty to the owner,” he said. “I have 130 employees and from top to bottom, everyone is working side by side for the good of the business.”
“There are always opportunities out there. There is always room for a hard worker. If he has the wherewithal, and the desire to work hard, he can succeed,” Terry Sr. added. “I think you see that in successful family businesses. You work hard to get it started, and then you try to instill that same work ethic in your children.”
A third generation of the Galanis family could someday take over at Sealing Devices. Terry Jr. and his wife Nancy, have three daughters (Jessica, Katherine and Elizabeth).