23 Western States acquired Sugar Centrifugal Discharger that year. A year later, Smart died, T.B. Stearns stepped in as his replacement, and Roberts continued on as General Manager and Director. At about the same time, the Company made another innovative move when it decided to offer stock to all of its employees. As the reputation of and demand for Roberts-Gibson products increased, Eugene Roberts decided to offer a complete centrifugal, and asked American Tool to manufacture and sell his design. In 1924, Western States and American Tool entered into a joint venture under which American Tool would manufacture and market the centrifugal Roberts had developed, while he would continue to create and sell new products. But a year later, American Tool had second thoughts, concerned that it was competing Dear Sir:—I am writing you a few lines to let you know that the Centrifugal Dumping Machines you installed here are giving entire satisfaction. By using them, we have saved two men on each shift, and have increased our output about one-third. H.A. Vallez General Superintendent German-American Sugar Company, Bay City, Michigan “ ” Western States was now on its own, and soon opened an office in New York City. A former American Tool staffer, Cecil Ferguson joined Eugene Roberts there. The Company recorded its first major order: a $7,500, 50-discharger purchase by the Pennsylvania Refinery, and continued to earn royalties from products sold by American Tool. The Salt Lake City plant struggled to keep up with demand, and Roberts and company knew they needed to find a more robust contract manufacturer.