One Company’s Story of Surviving and Thriving in AEC

 

There’s no such thing as an overnight success. No one knows this better than today’s guest on the AEC Podcast, Ron Tamlyn, co-owner of worldwide building products supplier Tamlyn.

He joined us on the podcast to recount the story of Tamlyn, from its humble beginning, to its uncertain moments, to its prosperous now. Tamlyn’s story is one of many for small business owners in this industry, but the expertise, determination, and business acumen that the Tamlyn team had are what set it apart from the beginning.

With $800 of borrowed seed money and a desire to provide for his family, Ron’s father, Ron Sr., launched the small company in 1971 in the modest garage of his 1,100-square-foot Bellaire, Texas home with his wife, Jean.

“He would go out and sell product, order it, and then go in the back room of our house to box it up and deliver it,” Ron said. “One day when I was 10 years old, he dumped a box of aluminum ply clips in my bedroom and said to count out 500 pieces. That was the beginning of Tamlyn.”

Ron Sr. was a Purple Heart recipient from the Battle of Iwo Jima and parlayed a little bit of military wisdom into the company’s approach to keeping up with large competitors.

“Dad would say, ‘Once you’ve had bullets flying at you, nothing will scare you,’” Ron said. “We’ve taken that to mean that we don’t have to be afraid of the big boys. We can run faster than them, and make turns quicker than them in a lot of ways.”

Through the years, Tamlyn has built a loyal customer base that values the faith-driven principles of the company and its leadership. With his father’s wisdom in mind, Ron took the reins of Tamlyn to lead it into the next generation, understanding that business is a journey.

“My dad said, ‘Learn from your failures, move on, and hopefully not make the same mistakes,’” Ron said.

Give this podcast a listen to learn how one man and one company’s journey reflects some of the hardest truths and most exciting opportunities within the AEC industry.

For the latest news, videos, and podcasts in the AEC Industry, be sure to subscribe to our industry publication.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @AECMKSL
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

care
Smarter, Faster, Kinder: How AI Can Help Hospitals Deliver Better Care, All While Keeping Care Human
October 20, 2025

Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a buzzword in healthcare — it’s becoming a real partner in how providers care for patients and improve everyday experiences. With rising patient expectations, limited resources, and mounting administrative complexity, hospitals and insurers alike are turning to AI to improve efficiency, communication, and satisfaction. In fact, Citi research…

Read More
Sports Ownership
Alts Innovators: Gennaro Leo on Sports Ownership
October 20, 2025

Welcome to the second episode in our mini-series on the alternative asset market. Gennaro Leo is a sports executive and the co-founder of Austin Sports Ventures, a firm that partners with venture capital and private equity firms to invest in and operate assets across professional sports leagues, teams, and high-growth technology startups. In this…

Read More
location-based entertainment
The Business of Play: Building Community Through Location-Based Entertainment
October 19, 2025

From Dallas to New York, cities are reimagining how people play and connect with one another. The rise of “location-based entertainment” (LBE) spots like Topgolf, Sandbox VR, and Goodsurf Beach Club signals a new chapter in the way community and recreation come together. With over 65% of Goodsurf’s visitors returning multiple times a month,…

Read More
Just Thinking
Just Thinking… About How NeuraPoints Is Building the Bridge Between Minds and Machines
October 17, 2025

Artificial intelligence has reached a crucial inflection point. Once imagined as a fast track to artificial general intelligence, the field has instead hit a plateau—prompting leaders, educators, and innovators to rethink AI’s true purpose. As companies and schools race to adopt automation, questions about cost, ethics, and human purpose are rising to the forefront. According…

Read More