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Last Updated: Tuesday August 19, 2008

Guide: Origin

1. Who is Western Enterprises? Origin

The first existence or beginning of anything; the commencement; fountain; source; that from which anything proceeds.

Norman Burnett: Pioneer and Founder. In 1948 Mr. Norman Burnett establishes Burnett Fireworks, a fifteen acre facility in Enid Oklahoma.

A. Primary emphasis of business is consumer fireworks, Class C.

B. In 1952, Norman Burnett purchases Western Fireworks, a Denver based company, from Mr. Charlie Dobbs.
1. Company services now include consumer sales, Class C, and display sales, Class B.
2. Western Enterprises expands its territorial marketing plan and begins developing sales in Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas, and New Mexico
  
  a. During this period, Norman Burnett perfects the art of set piece design and develops animation devices for movement and theatrical presentation.
  
  b. Norman's fourteen year old son, Jim Burnett, works with his father on all aspects of the fireworks business.
James Burnett: Owner and CEO. In 1976, Jim Burnett becomes the owner and President of Western Enterprises, Incorporated.

A. Norman Burnett works at Western Enterprises until his death at age 92. Norman Burnett's legacy still lives on today; the cornerstone of the company he established deals with safety and customer service. Much of Norman Burnett's client base (40%) is currently still managed by Western Enterprises.

B. Jim Burnett makes the executive decision to focus company efforts on Public Display Fireworks, Class B, discontinuing the Class C consumer division.
1. In 1976, Jim Burnett begins to redefine the tenets of customer service and begins creating pyrotechnic productions.
2. From 1976 - 1984, Western Enterprises establishes a true marketing identity in five states, and Jim Burnett initiates production strategies for choreography.
1985: Steve Linn, Technical Coordinator, creates Western's first electrical firing system, WEI 300, a 300 position electronic firing system.
A. This system allows Western Enterprises to create and package choreographed musical productions to it customers.
B. Over the years, WEI 300, evolved into WEI 600 (600 position electronic firing system), and WEI 900 (900 position electronic firing system.
1. 300, 600, and 900 Firing Systems allow Western to accomplish precision firing for choreographed venues; these systems are made in-house for firing accuracy, operator and spectator safety, and quality control.
2. Since 1985 Western's electronic firing systems are sold to members of the pyrotechnic industry, a testament to their proven reliability and performance.
1972 - 1986: H. Stephen Frantz's company is selected as the Insurance Purveyor for Western, and in 1986, Steve Frantz joined the Western team as a consultant in charge of Risk Management; he also serves as the logistical coordinator for major productions, and financial counselor to the President.
1988: Gary P. Caimano becomes a marketing consultant for Western; Caimano is also the Creative Director in charge of choreography and design.
A. 1989: Caimano, President of Tamerlane Productions, produces the Oklahoma City Centennial, and commissions Western Enterprises as the pyrotechnic firm. This production was the first for Western to employ multi-genre performers: aerial, set pieces and devices, close proximity, and low-level special effects. OKC Starlight Spectacular
1. The Oklahoma City Centennial is Western's first radio and television simulcast, fired simultaneously from ten locations: aerial, rooftops.
2. Coors, the sponsor of the Oklahoma City Starlight Spectacular, goes on to produce seven national venues with Western and Tamerlane. Testimonial
3. In 1989 Western and Tamerlane (Caimano) produce nearly twenty choreographed productions, and the quest for choreographic excellence begins. Sample Production: Eisenhower Centennial
1990: Western Enterprises moves its operation from its fifteen acre location in Enid, to a 160 acre tract in Carrier, Oklahoma.
A. In 1990, Skyworks LTD is incorporated and starts operation at the Carrier location. Alan Johnson is appointed President of Skyworks and is also the Quality Control Officer and Artistic Designer.
B. A complete state-of-the-art manufacturing facility is created, an operation considered by many fire officials to be one of the best in the United States.
1. Skyworks products consist of designer deluxe performance aerials: palm trees, color-changing brocades, color-changing plumes, strobes, willows, and chrysanthemums; and close proximity designer deluxe effects: color-changing mines and aerials, and comets, special effect strobes and thunders. Select our Photo Gallery for graphic illustration of genres.
2. The evolution of choreographic excellence for Western Enterprises includes the Skyworks designer line; Skyworks products are safe, dramatic, and designer ready for Western tableaus of beauty. SKYWORKS, LTD.
1990: Western Enterprises forms a joint venture with Japan Fireworks Artists Association (JFAA), bringing the unique and spectacular tradition of Hanabi to the United States. These high quality performance aerials offer Western's clients unusual and extraordinary visual offerings. Press Release
1992: Steve Frantz is appointed Vice President for Western and is a full-time employee.
1996: Western Enterprises and Skyworks LTD receive Disney's coveted Certificate of Appreciation for outstanding product manufacture: Disney's Symposium on Fireworks.
1998: Gary Caimano is appointed Director of Marketing and Choreographer for Western and is a full-time employee.
1999: Western Enterprises form a joint venture with Shogun and Vulcan manufacturing companies in China, in order to provide a high quality genre of specialty products: aerials, multiple-shot theatrical, and designer-exhibition candles to compliment the JFAA and Skyworks designer line. In addition, Alan Johnson, former President of Skyworks LTD, becomes a creative consultant for Skyworks. H. Stephen Frantz is appointed President of Skyworks LTD. Shogun - Vulcan
2000: Western Enterprises produces a myriad of televised Millennium productions in: Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Missouri, Denver, Montana, and Iowa.
December 31, 2001: Western Enterprises produces the largest show in company history, the Denver Mile Long Millennium Celebration.
January 1, 2002: Sarah Burnett-Pecka joins the Western team as Secretary to the President.