Bolton & Hay soon became a leading supplier of foodservice equipment.  Their location has remained at 2701 Delaware for over 45 years now, complete with showroom and warehouse, although the butcher shop no longer exists.  Bolton & Hay continued to be a family business, as Jim Speicher Jr.’s son, John Speicher, joined the company in 1979 after graduating from Drake University with a degree in management.  Bob Bolton’s son, Lew Bolton, joined the company in 1982 after graduating from the University of Kansas with a degree in communications.  This third generation, like their fathers before them, had both worked at the company throughout high school and college.

  They have made many changes to the company, enhancing the reputation that their fathers and grandfathers had built for Bolton & Hay.  Lew and John integrated technology into the company, introduced a used equipment department, and divided duties between the two of them.  They also created a business plan, an employee handbook, and an organizational chart.  Due to decreased use, the company airplane was sold in 1989.  Fathers and sons continued to work side by side until Jim Speicher Jr. retired in 1994, and Bob Bolton semi-retired in 1998. 

At that time, Lew Bolton became president and John Speicher was vice president.  Bolton & Hay has now been in operation for 89 years, starting as a chain of restaurants and developing into a foodservice equipment and supplies company.  The fourth generation has recently joined Bolton & Hay, continuing the family legacy.  The company plans to celebrate its 90th anniversary next year.