Cisco-Eagle: A Past of Service and a Future of Growth
By Nicole Needles
“Eagle Material Handling was founded in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1970 by Warren Gandall with three employees in one office,” said Bryan Gauger, president of Cisco‑Eagle.
In those early years, the company grew steadily as new leaders came on board. “In 1973, Bill Cupps joined the company. Bill was the key to adding operational and financial aspects that allowed us to grow, resulting in an expansion to Oklahoma City, then Little Rock, Arkansas.”
A pivotal moment came in 1981 when the company installed its first large integrated system for QuikTrip.
“That brought our future into focus with Vic Leonard, who established our Systems Integration department. Vic was known as ‘the man who could make a conveyor do anything,’” said Gauger. In 1985, Cupps and Gandall purchased Cisco‑Material Handling in Carrollton, Texas, expanding their footprint, and by 1995, the businesses merged into Cisco‑Eagle.
Throughout its history, Cisco‑Eagle has evolved with its customers. The launch of a website in 1997 and e‑commerce in 2000 were pivotal.
“The site is a major factor in our growth and profitability,” said Gauger. The founding of their Field Services Group in 1996 and the shift to a 100% employee‑owned structure in 2020 further shaped the company’s culture.
In 2024, the acquisition of Trinity Controls, rebranded as Cisco‑Eagle Systems Technology, expanded its ability to design, integrate and implement sophisticated material handling and automation systems.
Today, the company operates across 12 states with 167 employee‑owners serving clients throughout the U.S. and in more than 60 countries. According to Gauger, the foundation of the company’s success is its employee‑ownership model.
“We bake it into everything we do. Our employees own shares, own our jobs and own the outcomes we create for our customers. It drives us to be more innovative, more focused, and more aligned with each other.”
That culture of ownership improves service quality.
“The longer someone works here, the more shares they accumulate, which drives remarkably low turnover. That stability allows customers to build long‑term relationships and gives us deep expertise,” he said.
Transparency is another cornerstone. Employee‑owners review financial results every month, and an annual employee‑owner award is decided exclusively by staff.
“Customers can buy from many competitors. We know that employees are the most important reason they choose us.”
The company has evolved as the industry has changed.
“When Warren and Bill started the company, the industry was local and territorial. Now, we’re competing with firms across the nation and around the globe,” said Gauger. The rise of automation has reshaped customer needs. “Customers have always been looking for ways to compete more efficiently. What used to be better storage strategies or simple conveyors has evolved into highly automated systems across the spectrum. Today, smaller companies are adopting advanced automation because the ROI is compelling as labor becomes harder to find.”
Customers also expect seamless digital interactions.
“People want to do business online and have the same experience for their material handling projects as they get from Amazon in their personal lives. We’ve developed systems to meet those expectations, and we’re working to fully realize the kind of personalized experience customers expect,” he added.
Looking forward, Cisco‑Eagle aims to build on its strong foundation. “We intend to be more dominant in our chosen markets, and to selectively expand when it makes sense. We’re working through a strategic framework now to define that direction and stay ready to adapt as things evolve.”
With safety top‑of‑mind and employee‑ownership at its core, Cisco‑Eagle is positioned to help customers optimize their operations — and to remain a trusted partner long into the future.
“People who commit to learning and adapting will have tremendous opportunities in this industry. At Cisco‑Eagle, we’re making sure we’re always ready for the next challenge and opportunity,” said Gauger.
