251 The time line appearing on the following pages represents key events in the Company’s history and the evolution of our products – from the first discharger to the latest product advancements for the industries we serve. Product development at Western States is a collaborative effort between sales, customer support, engineering and manufacturing. At times, a new idea or concept can originate from customers or a customer visit, or it may come from engineering, either through the design process or by researching the data and current writings for technological advances. It can also originate from our craftsmen who manufacture and assemble the product, or from one of our partners. Whatever the source, we are eager to learn and innovate. At Western States, we take great pride and joy in product development. We introduce new products and services as well as examine existing products for possible enhancements. Since we build a durable, high- quality product meant to last, we can continuously provide technological advances to a customer’s existing products. This allows the customer to consider the machine as part of their plant and equipment, and enables Western States to never obsolete a customer’s product. Evolution of Products