Triad acquires circuit board maker

Triad Enterprises Inc., the owner of Triad Plastic Technologies in Reno, acquired Paradise Manufacturing, a manufacturer of printed circuit board assemblies.

The former Paradise operations now are housed at the Triad facility at 8900 Double Diamond Parkway, where they will be operated as Triad Electronic Technologies.

Paradise Manufacturing previously was owned by Kit and Pat Paradis. Both Paradise and Triad are privately held, and terms of the transaction weren't disclosed.

Greg Latimer, chief executive of Triad, said last week the acquisition allows the company to bring more steps of the manufacturing process under one roof. Triad Plastic Technologies provides injection-molding and turnkey manufacturing services.

"Triad has found it to be extremely cost-effective to maintain all the manufacturing processes under one company's control," he said.

The electronics manufacturer serves customers in consumer electronics, gaming, government and other sectors.

It makes circuit boards using both surface-mount and through-hole technologies, and Triad installed a conductive flooring system to protect electronic components from electrostatic charges.

Four workers who previously were employed by Paradise have joined the Triad staff, which numbers about 35.

Latimer said Triad was able to move quickly on the acquisition because it stayed debt-free.

"This philosophy was difficult to maintain and slowed our growth, but we felt a strong conviction to maintain it even when credit was easily accessible, and we were encouraged to borrow to expand," he said. "Now, in these lean times, we are very grateful we didn't give in to that temptation."

Triad was launched in 1988 by Latimer, who operates the company through principles drawn from the Bible. His title at the company, for instance, is "chief executive steward," and the company's staff begins work each morning after gathering for prayer.

"We have been entrusted with Triad to make a difference in the lives of our co-workers, suppliers and vendors," Latimer says. "This business belongs to the Lord, and we are running it for him."

And the company proudly displays its beliefs.

For instance, the words "God loves you" are painted in large letters on its roof, where it can be seen by passengers on flights from Reno-Tahoe International Airport.