22 entrepreneurs inducted into North Central Ohio Industrial Museum Hall of Fame

MANSFIELD — There were 22 Inventors/Entrepreneurs/Industrialists inducted recently into the North Central Ohio Industrial Museum Hall of Fame and previously in the North Central State College Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame.

The first annual Manufacturing Hall of Fame Dinner was a huge success and drew a sellout crowd.

“Thanks to our event and table sponsors and inductees we raised almost $10,000,” Jerry Miller said. “We’ll put that towards our Local Manufacturing Hall of Fame Exhibit.”

The Hall of Fame is located at the Ohio State Reformatory.

Nominations for future inductees can be sent to this email. Click here for a nomination form.

The inductees included:

W. CHANDLER STEVENS JR.

Founder Bay Carts. Chan pioneered the cart industry popular in the Lake Erie islands among other innovations. Along with his Father, Walter Sr, they created Stevens Manufacturing, Lexington and NORSTAT in Norwalk.

DAVID F. COLE

Owner and operator of Cole Tool & Die, founded by his father, Floyd in 1933. David trained many tool & die makers including Mick Fanello. Cole developed several patents + inventions including the nationally marketed Burg-o-Mat and Marine Head, that incinerated waste.

RICHARD G. TAYLOR

Taylor Metal Products, founded by his father Glenn and Dick through hard work, community investment and determination to meet the customer’s specifications, Dick helped to grow and perfect a multi-generation owned and operated company that specializes in complete metal stamping, fabrication and finishing services. Dick facilitated the recruitment and establishment of Newman Technologies in Mansfield, today a successful company serving the auto industry through its locations in multiple states.

DON COVERT

Don Covert founded Covert Manufacturing and perfected the age-old skill of pattern making and working with a wide range of raw materials. He created the CNC Division and the Tooling Solution Division of the Company and enjoyed growth and success with a multi-generation family-owned operation since 1967.

ED FRIEBEL & MONTY FRIEBEL

Second generation owners of Cooper Enterprises, Shelby, the brothers through innovation and customization, developed products & components using CNC technologies.

FRANK BLACK

Founder The Ohio Brass Co. in 1888 at age 23 with $5,000. The storied history of the Ohio Brass Company includes pioneering innovations within its transit, mining and electric utility operations.

GAYLE GORMAN FREEMAN

Formerly President & CEO MANAIRCO; Gayle grew a small company into an internationally recognized leader in airport lighting.

JAMES R. BIERLY

Founded by his father, Glenn; Jim manufactured & engineered aluminum and permanent mold castings and led Mansfield Brass & Aluminum, New Washington.

JAMES C. GORMAN

Following his father’s work philosophy of believing “if we don’t take care of the customer, someone else will,” Jim Gorman, led a world class Gorman Rupp Industries with an impressive legacy begun by JC and Herb Rupp with $1,500 in 1933, in a garage on Alta Road. Gorman Rupp manufactures 4,000 models of pumps and it’s continuous tradition of annual profit sharing and tenured employment is the envy of industry worldwide.

MARK HESS

Founder, of Hess Industries, with wife Pam – this precise Machinist developed a successful industry working in all facets of designing, building, and repairing Tooling. Mark is a protege of Dick Taylor, Taylor Metal Products.

DOMINICK C. FANELLO

Founder, Shiloh Industries, with brother, Jim, in 1950. Shiloh specialized in the design and manufacture of parts for the automotive industry, designing, engineering and producing precision tools and dies.

H.E. “MICK” RUPP

Inventor, innovator, USAC and INDY race car driver, P51 Air Race Pilot and Sport fisherman. Mickey pioneered and made go karts, mini bikes, dirt bikes and world famous snowmobiles at Rupp Industries and outriggers at Rupp Marine.

MIKE VUCELIC

Michael engineered and pioneered processes to further establish a successful growth company, Ideal Electric, a market leader in power generation for gas, steam, & hydro turbines & diesel engines. Michael also was an engineer at the control panel for the Apollo 8 and 13 missions.

RALPH COBEY

Chairman, Eagle Crusher Co. Inc., where he pioneered the construction of the structural steel frame jaw crushers.

RALPH H. PHILLIPS

Founder, Shelby Welded Tube, Middletown TubeWorks, Dothan Tubular Products. Among the many innovations and processes developed by Ralph’s company. The family-owned operation has maintained customer loyalty among key automotive and HVAC manufacturers for many years.

RICK TAYLOR

Jay Industries traces its heritage to 1917 when Glenn Taylor formed the Taylor Dise Company — a company producing radiant gas heaters. That beginning led to the formation of Taylor Metal Products in 1928.

In 1968, Dick Taylor, Glenn’s son, created Jay Plastics — an injection molding division. The next twenty years provided continued growth, in 1989 became a separate entity, and developed into a multi-faceted business led by Dick’s son, Rick. The organization officially became known as Jay Industries in 1995.

The company remains family owned and has continued to show growth in areas such as automotive, lawn and garden, agricultural, and other OEM Markets. As a vertically integrated metals manufacturer, Jay Industries has a unique ability to control the manufacturing process from the raw materials to the finished product while always maintaining superior quality standards and aggressive market pricing.

January 2017 marked another major milestone for Rick Taylor. His original company, Jay Plastics, was purchased by Nanogate AG. While setting up provisions to ensure the employment of his current staff at Jay Plastics, Rick continues to lead the company through the transition of ownership.

Rick and his wife Carol, recently opened Hudson & Essex in downtown Mansfield. It combines a Deli & Fresh Market, with Fine Dining on the Main Floor. Outside dining & entertainment on the Patio. Cypress Hill Winery in the lower level, and soon the Old Brewery Cellars.

JEFF GORMAN

Following his father and grandfather’s work philosophy of believing “if we don’t take care of the customer, someone else will,”; Jeff Gorman, leads the world class Gorman Rupp Industries with an impressive legacy begun by JC and Herb Rupp with $1,500 in 1933, in a garage, just outside of Mansfield. Gorman Rupp manufactures 4,000 models of pumps and it’s continuous tradition of annual profit sharing and tenured employment is the envy of industry worldwide.

C. JOHN “JACK” HIRE II

Founder of Hi-Stat Manufacturing. This innovator also founded Hi-Fi Haven and WVNO. Jack was more than willing to assume risks of a new venture. Jack worked at Therm-O-Disc, before starting Hi-Start, which sold to Stoneridge in 1998; and the Company remains in Lexington.

GRANT MILLIRON

Founder, Milliron Industries. With one acre of land and 12 cars, Grant at age 18 in 1954, launched what is today a world class recycling and waste industries with state-of-the-art shredders.

CHARLES THOMAS CARTER, JUANITA CARTER & ANDREA CARTER

Founder, Miller Carter, of Carter Machine Co Hydranamics, Galion, passed on to his son, Tom, an ambition which resulted in the engineering, manufacturing of tens of thousands of types of cylinder designs.

RICHARD L. EKIN

Since 1948, Elliot Machine Works, Galion, and founded by Hurshel L. Ekin, distinguishes itself as a leading manufacturer of mobile service equipment, supplying the military, construction and energy industries.