Balco acquired Metalines, an Oklahoma City corporation. Metalines manufactured expansion joint covers with a niche in the California market, providing large seismic joint assemblies and robust fire barriers that accommodated California’s precise building codes.

Mr. Balzer retired and sold the company to the Sterling Group.

Balco plastic wall protection product line was added, and a new, dedicated plastics extrusion plant was built.

Claude Balzer founded the company in downtown Wichita with the purpose of supplying architectural products to the commercial building industry. The primary product manufactured at that time was expansion joint covers. Later, entrance mats, trench covers, and stair nosing products were added to the Balco line. Balco, Inc. was officially incorporated in 1959.

A new manufacturing plant was built in South Wichita, and has served as the company’s headquarters ever since.