Harris Welding & Machine and Hillman Precision, Inc. Focus on Quality, Customer Service and Strategic Investments for Continued Success in Ashland County

Located on Third Street since the early 1960s, Harris Welding & Machine has consistently succeeded by uniquely meeting the needs of the region’s larger manufacturers. The company is led by President John Kochenderfer. John decided to leave his job at Bosch in 1998 and buy out his father and Lloyd Harris to become the company’s owner and President. Under John’s leadership, the company has grown to 9 full-time employees, with 2 hired in early 2005, a year in which the company grew by more than 50%. Harris provides services and parts throughout the region to major manufacturers like Luk in Wooster and Pentair in Ashland. He credits his “family business philosophy,” highly-skilled dedicated employees, and quick turnaround time as keys to his success.

Harris Welding & Machine’s turnaround time and customer service capabilities will be strengthened with the purchase of a new CNC high-definition plasma machine. This strategic investment will allow Harris to continue to diversify its services and improve efficiency. Currently, John is working with Ashland Economic Development to design a training program with services and/or grant assistance from North Central State College, OSU-Mansfield and the Ohio Department of Development.

Hillman Precision is another great example of how small manufacturing companies are continuing to thrive, even as competition from around the globe is increasing. Hillman was established in 1991 by Geoff Hillman, Sr. in his own two-car garage. In 1994 the company moved to a 3,600 sq.ft. building on Clark Ave. and in 2003 moved again to the current facility—a 37,000 sq.ft. building on E. Ninth Street. Since the move to Ninth Street, Geoff and his son Sam have doubled their employment to its current level of 14, invested approximately $400,000 in new equipment, and have added assembly and warehousing opportunities for their company and other area firms.

Hillman’s primary services include CNC machining and light assembly. Free local delivery and free warehousing is also offered when machining is done on the parts. Hillman machines a variety of materials, including plastics, steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and brass & cast iron. Like Harris Welding & Machine, contracting with local pump companies and other small manufacturers is an important component of the business.

Geoff and Sam explain that slow, steady growth has been the key to their stability. They also guarantee that the quality of their products will never be sacrificed for quantity. Involvement with the Ashland Small Manufacturers’ Council has been beneficial by offering networking and suggestions regarding taxes, real estate, health insurance and many other facets of business ownership. They also work closely with this group as they continue to manage the important process of finding and training qualified employees.

—An Important Economic Development Resource for all of North Central Ohio

Since hiring Bob Cohen as the Executive Director in 2004, Braintree has developed several training programs and seminars available to small and medium- size businesses. While Braintree may primarily be recognized as a great “incubator” of start-ups looking for inexpensive space and shared counseling services, several programs allow all local companies to benefit from Braintree’s outreach to the greater community. Cohen has expanded beyond this basic incubation model by offering the following services to any interested company:

1. Braintree led the effort to form North Central OH’s IT Alliance, and it is quickly becoming an important organization where business leaders can share best practices and develop cooperative strategies. IT Alliance is part of a statewide concept to facilitate the interaction of information technology-related firms. The next business meeting is January 19th at 5 p.m. at Braintree. The first “Tech Thursday” (networking event with a $5 cost payable at the door) of 2006 will be here in Ashland at the Career Center from 5-7 p.m. on February 2nd. Please RSVP to Bob Cohen: bcohen@braintreepartners.org or 419- 525-1614. Information can be found here: http://www.braintreepartners.org/italliance.htm.

2. Mr. Cohen also spearheaded the effort to create the North Central OH International Trade Assistance Center (ITAC). The ITAC provides free services to small-to-medium size companies wanting to begin or expand their export sales. Services include: developing export compliance plans, international trade plans, country trade profiles and document requirements for international shipments. Interested Ashland companies should contact Martin Irvine to facilitate a meeting with Braintree counselors. Also, Bob will present an ITAC overview at the Ashland County Small Manufacturers’ Council next meeting— Thursday, January 12th at 11:30 am at O’Bryan’s Pub on Claremont Avenue. More information can be found here: http://www.braintreepartners.org/braintreeitac.htm.

3. An interesting seminar on renewable energy was held at Braintree on December 15th 7-9 p.m. Representatives from Green Energy Ohio and Malabar Farm discussed area developments and clean energy options. Prominent among this area’s emphasis on renewable energy is the potential for wind power.

4. Lastly, regular seminars and training are available. A month-long course called Small Business Basic Training will begin Monday and Wednesday mornings in Mansfield on January 30th, and Tuesday and Thursday evenings beginning January 31st in Smithville. Cost for the course is $125 On-line registration is available here: http://www.braintreepartners.org/braintreeresources. htm

Forms Ready to be Completed by Local Companies

This is a collaborative effort among the Medina, Wayne and Ashland County Economic Development Corporations. The purpose of the survey is to provide local employers and government officials with important benchmarking data on the wage and benefit levels for industrial, retail, service, non-profit and government employers in our three counties.

All data collection is confidential and reported in aggregate format. The survey will take 30 to 45 minutes to complete. Companies may find it helpful to have the following items available prior to starting the survey:

--Summary of coverage for all group benefit programs
--Latest monthly invoices for all benefit programs
--Latest payroll report

The survey will remain open until January 31, 2006. Survey results will be available Spring 2006. All survey participants will receive a copy of the results via e-mail. Results will also be available online. Please take a half hour to complete the survey; as many of you are well aware, wage and benefit information is very important to companies during expansion and relocation phases. Should you have any questions regarding the survey or obtaining results please contact Dorman Farrell, LLC--Ed Farrell (330) 725-0501 or efarrell@dormanfarrell.com.

Northeast Ohio Non-Profit Venture Capital Firm Invests in Delta Plant Technologies, a cutting-edge firm with leadership from Ashland.

On September 20th 2005 JumpStart Inc. announced an investment in Delta Plant Technologies, an Akron- based company working to develop a new commercial crop alternative for natural rubber. Delta Plant is seeking to take advantage of modern agriculture advances and improvements in processing technologies to commercialize an alternative source of natural rubber. In partnership with Ohio State University’s Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) and other agricultural universities, Delta Plant will be working on various aspects of crop science to validate the commercial crop potential. Delta Plant Technologies has qualified for $660,000 in this round of funding. Tom McGee, local citizen and President of the City of Ashland’s Planning Commission, is providing important consultative services to this project.

If successful, Delta Plant will establish the foundation for a new rubber industry in the United States, providing farmers an additional high value commercial crop and decreasing the country’s dependence on foreign sources of rubber. In addition to providing natural rubber, a value-added byproduct created during the processing can be converted into ethanol, an alternative fuel supply.

"This investment promotes a world-class innovation in agriculture technology, made possible by combining strategic research capabilities (OARDC), the extensive industry experience of Delta Plant and the entrepreneurial acumen of JumpStart," stated JumpStart CEO Ray Leach. "This is a great example of how our region can leverage all of its assets for rapid commercialization and wealth creation that will benefit everyone, including the crop-producing community in Ohio," continued Leach (quotes and all details above are taken from the Delta Plant press release found at www.jumpstartinc.org).

We, here at Ashland Economic Development, also believe that this story is a great example of how Ashland County contains very talented citizens ready to become a part of a renewed regional economy. Congratulations to Tom McGee and the rest of the Delta team.

Ashland has Unique Asset in Reentry Program

Ex-offender reentry programs can contribute a great deal to community and economic development. Reentry programs can significantly reduce the chance that ex-offenders will commit additional crimes and return to prison. The reentry programs help to reduce crime and the amount of taxpayer dollars committed to prosecuting and incarcerating offenders.

In 2001, approximately 24,000 ex-offenders returned to their respective communities in Ohio. It is estimated that 40% of ex-offenders returned to prison in 2001. Reentry programs work to reduce the recidivism rate and assist ex-offenders in their return to society.

Additionally, successful reentry programs provide ex- offenders with the necessary life skills and confidence to become a productive member of society. Ashland is fortunate to have the Transformation Network which is a Christian-centered ministry that operates a very successful reentry program. The Transformation Network has recently gained state-wide attention for their successful program and partnership with the Huron County Department of Job and Family Services.

The Transformation Network began focusing on the incarcerated in local jails with the ex-offender coming from the state and federal prisons and those on parole and probation in 2001. Their efforts focus on education, accountability, responsibility, training, work, spiritual development and developing healthy relationships.

The Transformation Network makes job preparation an essential part of the reentry program. They set high standards tied to accountability and responsibility. Those that are not serious about change are weeded out early in the process. This provides the opportunity for employers to choose only from the successful ex-offenders. This reduces the risk, turn-over and money for the employer.

Components of the Transformation Network program include Career Direct Guidance, Job Readiness Workshops, Employer Relations, and Financial counseling. The Career Direct Guidance system helps the ex-offender through the path of educational and career fulfillment.

The Transformation Network currently employs 11 ex- offenders at two manufacturing companies, one in Ashland and one in Norwalk. The Transformation Network would like to create additional partnerships with local employers. They offer the development of a strong pool of competent, driven people. Employers that may be interested in the Transformation Network’s programs or would like additional information are welcome to contact Dan Phillip at 419-207-1188 or dan phillip@transformationnetwork.org.