By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Bard Urological Division marks 100th anniversary
Placeholder Image

In celebration of its 100th anniversary, this week Bard Urological Division treated its employees to a week of special activities designed to reward them for their hard work and to highlight C.R. Bard's long and rich history.

Employing roughly 800 people in Covington, C.R. Bard is one of Newton County's top employers. Founded in 1907 by Charles Russell Bard when he began investigating urological discomfort, C.R. Bard made its mark in 1934 when it first began marketing the Foley catheter, which is still widely used today.

Bard Urological Division came to Covington in the late 1950's. C.R. Bard Urological is responsible for marketing, accounting and research and development for C.R. Bard.

According to Ronda Reeves, senior HR representative for Bard Urological, each division of the company is celebrating Bard's 100th year celebration differently.

On Wednesday, employees were served a barbecue lunch. On Thursday all 139 Bard Urological Division employees received a book of the history of the company and a special edition Bard clock from three of the division's longest tenured employees.

Friday's activities featured a dunking booth, staffed by members of Bard Urological's Board of Directors. For $2, employees were able to purchase the chance to get the boss all wet. Proceeds from the booth will to Mary Beth's Place, a playground to be built in the Covington YMCA's new outdoor sports facility in honor of Mary Beth Malcolm.

Mark Downey, president of Bard Urological Division said that the company's four core values of quality, integrity, service and innovation are what has brought C.R. Bard to its 100th year.

"It's a tribute to the diligence of those individuals who carved the path to today," Downey said of the company's long history. "And it's a guide for are employees as we move into the next 100 years."

Added Geoff Gerks, vice president of human resources for Bard Urological, "Bard is a very stable company with a lot of opportunities."

According to Gerks, just knowing that if he should ever be in need of the medical equipment that C.R. Bard manufactures gives him some peace of mind because he is so confident in the high quality of Bard's products.

Since C.R. Bard came to Covington, the company has developed a reputation as a great place to work with ample benefits for employees.

"It's a great company. There's a lot of long time employees," said Bard Urolgical's former Vice President of quality insurance Wayne Williamson, who though newly retired, was on hand Wednesday to enjoy some barbecue.