Organization Overview
In 1974, brothers Jim and Dale Lawrence started Lawrence Brothers Welding out of a three-car garage located in Bluefield, Virginia. The brothers built mine battery trays for Exide Battery, also located in the area, and known today as EnerSys. After two years, Lawrence Brothers purchased land and built a 10,500 square foot facility. Forty-five years later, under the strategic direction of husband and wife team, Mark and Amalia Lawrence, LBI expanded to more than 80,000 square feet with 40 employees. Mark Lawrence, son of Jim Lawrence, had been with LBI since his high school days, serving in nearly every capacity on the shop floor. Amalia Basconi Lawrence hails from a family of Italian immigrants, whose father worked in the coal mines of Gary, WV. The Appalachian roots to coal run deep in this family.
Echoing this proven strategy for continuous investments in our facilities and state-of-the-art fabrication technologies and equipment, Lawrence Brothers, Inc. remains at the forefront of the battery tray industry. Today, Lawrence Brothers is owned and operated by husband and wife team, Fernando Protti and Melanie Protti-Lawrence. Since arriving at Lawrence Brothers, Fernando and Melanie recognized that diversification was not only critical to growth, but to the very survival of the business that two generations worked diligently to build. Continuing to deepen LBI’s roots in the mountains of Appalachia, their persistence has been essential in developing and diversifying business relationships for 15+ years. The company portfolio now includes the manufacturing of motive power trays, ground support systems and transformer components, as well as custom metal solutions. The owners continue to further strategic diversification. A keen eye for opportunity, coupled with the ability to lead a team of individuals who boast decades of experience in core competencies, the outlook for the company is not only positive, but exciting when it comes to expanding on its potential.
Echoing this proven strategy for continuous investments in our facilities and state-of-the-art fabrication technologies and equipment, Lawrence Brothers, Inc. remains at the forefront of the battery tray industry. Today, Lawrence Brothers is owned and operated by husband and wife team, Fernando Protti and Melanie Protti-Lawrence. Since arriving at Lawrence Brothers, Fernando and Melanie recognized that diversification was not only critical to growth, but to the very survival of the business that two generations worked diligently to build. Continuing to deepen LBI’s roots in the mountains of Appalachia, their persistence has been essential in developing and diversifying business relationships for 15+ years. The company portfolio now includes the manufacturing of motive power trays, ground support systems and transformer components, as well as custom metal solutions. The owners continue to further strategic diversification. A keen eye for opportunity, coupled with the ability to lead a team of individuals who boast decades of experience in core competencies, the outlook for the company is not only positive, but exciting when it comes to expanding on its potential.
Melanie Protti-Lawrence
President
Corporate