Bayland Business & Telephone Systems at 2711 E. Frontage Rd., Abrams, with corporate offices in Howard, is fast becoming one of the area’s largest and most successful businesses.

Since its acquisition of Infinity Telecom of Pulaski, Bayland now has around 450 employes.

Roger Hermsen is chief operations officer of the company, which serves customers over a wide area of Northeastern Wisconsin.

Don Demeny, sales and installation manager, noted in his recent talk to the Oconto Kiwanis Club that Oconto is one of the prime market areas for Bayland.

Bayland is 100 years old, having started in 1909, and it has more than survived the recession in solid financial condition. Demeny said that during the economic meltdown, Bayland has not had to lay off any of its workforce. Instead, it has just made some adjustments in duties.

Bayland is more than just a telephone company. It has expanded into Internet communications, and prides itself on price and customer satisfaction, he said. The sales, installation manager insists that customer ‘trust and dependability’ are crucial to helping sales volume rise.

Several Kiwanis members asked questions and each of them mentioned they were satisfied Bayland customers.

Demeny said he has a staff of trained technicians whose sole function is to guarantee professional service at modest costs for consumers. He added that Bayland continues to evaluate technological changes in the future to make certain it meets demands from the public.

As a century-old business, its growth pattern is a testament to the leadership provided by its corporate leaders, especially that of Hermsen.