As technology grows and increases, the need for new and advanced technology increases as well. If you own any type of business, you are always on the lookout for the newest products. A product hot on the market right now are touch panels. An Australian company called Commbox has many different styles of these panels that are perfect for all different needs. These touch screens not only help a select few businesses but can be of advantage to anyone. This product with the newest technology is ensured to be of use to you. Continue reading Interactive Touch Screen Displays at HGR
Author: Capmation Developers
Welding Equipment for Sale at HGR
Welding Equipment for Sale At HGR is a great way to save thousands, but welding has an important history as well. One of the most important processes in the world is Welding. If you take a look at some of the things you own in your household, many of them have been welded. There is a whole world to Welding. It may seem like an easy process since metal is just joined together through heat, but it can be complicated. There are different types of Welding as well as different ways to do it. There are also so many types of Welding Equipment to choose from. Not only can you buy Welding machines, but you can also become a Welder – and start doing it as a job. Whether you would like to buy equipment or you are just curious, this blog will be sure to help all of your Welding needs. Continue reading Welding Equipment for Sale at HGR
Press Brakes at HGR
If you work with or have anything to do with machines, you can understand how important the machine industry is. Industrial Machinery is incredibly important for every aspect of America, and all across the world as well. Whether you are looking for brand new machines or used machinery, this blog will highlight what some important machines are and how you can purchase them.
Industrial machines can be used for many purposes, and there are also thousands of machines to choose from. Hydraulic Presses are a very popular and useful option. The machine is used to bend and fold metal by pressing it into a die. Next to these machines, CNC Press Brakes are very important machines. They are used to bend sheet metal. These two types of machines have many variations, and you can purchase them brand new or used. If you are looking for a place to purchase these machines after you are done reading this, there is something called a Machinery Dealer to help out with that. A Machinery Dealer is a business enterprise or corporation that engages in the retail sale of machinery equipment. Lucky for you, one of these Machinery Dealers is called HGR – which is an industrial surplus that can help with all of your machinery needs.
Used Pick and Place Robots at HGR
Almost everyone on the planet is fascinated by robots. They are so fascinating because of the unknown. What if I told you that you could buy an affordable robot for your business? Technology has been advancing at crazy speeds, so it is extremely smart for machinery businesses to have top-of-the-line products to meet their customers needs. In this blog, you will learn everything you need to know about Pick and Place Robots – they could help your business tremendously. Continue reading Used Pick and Place Robots at HGR
Creative Uses for Wire Decking
Everyone loves buying products brand new – they are ready to use. Though, there is something nice about building or making your own objects. Plus, it can be cheaper to make something yourself! If you are looking for something useful and fun to create, this blog is perfect to read. HGR sells a very basic material that you can make many useful products out of. This material is a Pallet Rack Wire Deck. Listed below are some awesome products you can make yourself out of wire decking. Continue reading Creative Uses for Wire Decking
Industrial Plastic Equipment at HGR
Used Industrial Plastic Equipment at HGR Industrial Surplus will help save money while expanding your business. Many machinery businesses produce large amounts of plastic. You can make practically anything out of plastic, so having a machine that can produce products quicker and easier is quite ideal. There are many machines and equipment that you can purchase that will help with all of your plastic-making needs, and this blog will give those examples of Industrial Plastic Equipment at HGR Industrial Surplus. Continue reading Industrial Plastic Equipment at HGR
Featured Product – Drill Press
Our featured product is the multi purpose drill press. If you have ever worked with wood or metal, then you know what a Drill Press is, and why it is so important for manufacturing businesses. A Drill Press is a stationary power tool that is designed to bore precise holes into metal or wood. Owning a Drill Press has so many benefits – it can help with different projects! They are very large machines, but they come in handy to any craftsman. Continue reading Featured Product – Drill Press
Cincinnati Inc Machinery at HGR
Cincinnati Incorporated
If you ever find yourself looking for a company that values customer relationships and high-quality machines, then take a look at https://www.e-ci.com. Cincinnati is known for delivering high quality machine tools to their highly valued customers. Cincinnati makes sure they have the newest technology and the most innovative products to keep their customers happy.
Cincinnati first started out as The Cincinnati Shaper Company in the late 1890’s. After working on early machines, they started to manufacture metal fabrication equipment in the early 1920’s. To present day, Cincinnati’s main focus is the same that it was in 1890 – to deliver the best equipment to valued customers. They have shipped more than 50,000 machines in over 100 years. In Cincinnati, Ohio, they have a 500,000-square-foot-plant that is used to build and create high quality machine tools. Cincinnati’s machines are known for their endurance and are commonly used around the country. Continue reading Cincinnati Inc Machinery at HGR
Machinery Manufacturer Highlight – Okuma
Machinery Manufacturer Highlight – Okuma. Whether you enjoy buying big or small, it is always smart to invest your money into businesses that offer exceptional customer service. Not only does it help your company, but it also helps support the business that you are purchasing from in many ways. If you are looking for a machine company that has been working hard for customers for many centuries, then you may want to look into Okuma. read more about machinery manufacturer in this month’s highlight of Okuma.
Okuma started out as a small noodle making company in Japan. The founder, Eiichi Okuma, was trying to make Udon more effectively. Udon is a type of thick noodle used in Japanese cuisine. While figuring out his machine, he decided to use a Lathe to make “sticks”, which helped cut the noodles. After he discovered how to make this, that was the beginning of his very successful and long journey of founding Okuma. Continue reading Machinery Manufacturer Highlight – Okuma
Used Machinery Auctions on the Horizon
HGR is involved in partnering with auctioneers to bring you used machinery auctions from all industries. These companies could have a wide variety of machines and surplus supplies up for auction. That is why it is valuable to look into all of the auctions HGR has listed on their HGR Auction Page. You can also find a few of the last auctions that closed most recently. This helps you gauge your future interests auctions. This could be for whether you are shopping for machinery, or looking to auction some of your assets. Continue reading Used Machinery Auctions on the Horizon
Looking to the New Year at HGR
HGR has undergone some changes in 2020 and as the year comes to a close, we wanted to look back at some of them. Internally and externally there was aim at improving our processes and the facility itself. The building has been around for quite some time and if you are interested in the history of it, you can read more about it here. The front entrance has been remodeled with a better customer experience in mind. Under the hood, HGR is refining some processes with improving the overall flow of how you do business there. While you may not notice these changes, they will be the way of the future.
Continue reading Looking to the New Year at HGR
Used Centrifugal Feeder
A centrifugal feeder is used in the manufacturing process to achieve high efficiency in industries with labeling, automation, printing, and more. The centrifugal feeder takes bulk items feed into it and separates them and delivers them with a rotating disc to the next part of the process. These machines help lower the damage from part to part contact leading to imperfections. HGR has centrifugal feeders like this available at this link. We also want to highlight two great opportunities to own high quality used centrifugal feeders for less. Continue reading Used Centrifugal Feeder
Bidding on Upcoming Machinery Auctions at HGR
Bidding on Upcoming Machinery Auctions at HGR has just been made easier with HGR Industrial Surplus rolling out the new Auctions page. It is here that you will find out how you can start bidding on upcoming machinery auctions at HGR and what different auctions are currently available. HGR does not auction the equipment themselves. It is through a partnership with auctioneers like CIA, Bidspotter, and the Brandford Group that HGR gains access to these opportunities to get high quality used machinery for less than buying new. Most auction shave recently been online only, but the equipment is still viewable in person through inspection dates. Continue reading Bidding on Upcoming Machinery Auctions at HGR
Mask Up for Gear at HGR
We get it. This sucks. 2020 has been hard on all of us and we want to take this moment to thank all of you for working with us through this hard time. We stay dedicated to making sure our showroom and sales offices are properly sanitized so you can keep your business moving with the machinery you need. We would also like to show our appreciation for you doing your part.
From now until Mid-December HGR employees may approach you and ask for your name, your contact, and tell you, thank you for wearing your mask and doing your part. Your name will be entered with many others for random drawings to win HGR gear like hoodies, shirts, or hats. Continue reading Mask Up for Gear at HGR
Auction of Swissturn Lathes and Bar Feeders with HGR
Swissturn CNC Lathe Auction at HGR. Auctions are a great way for customers to get working used equipment for less than buying new machinery. Machinery can be expensive when looking at the initial investment and for some start up companies this may not be an option. Machinery auctions are something that many people may not be familiar with. I. Some cases business may be closing their doors and looking to recoup their investment. Other times they have upgraded machines and the old one is still in great condition and running. Moving these machines can be time and labor intensive, so posting these machines for auctions while still in their location and under power is advantageous to most sellers and buyers. Being able to see where the machine was housed and it in action invaluable to a potential buyer. Each auction has its own treasures to find, so check back frequently with HGR on the home page for updates. Read on for the latest auction. Continue reading Auction of Swissturn Lathes and Bar Feeders with HGR
Chemical Processing and How HGR Can Help Your Business
Chemical Processing equipment may be the unsung hero of the manufacturing industry. The offensive line of industry, doing the dirty work so the CNCs can hog the spotlight and take up all of the salary cap. I digress. It’s not often you go out looking for a chemical storage tank, filtration system, or mixer. When the time comes, you may not even know where to begin. Luckily there is only one place you need to look. HGR’s chemical processing category is a one stop shop for used equipment. The selection of used machinery is so large, there had to be sub-categories created to help navigate inventory. Below is a breakdown of those categories. Continue reading Chemical Processing and How HGR Can Help Your Business
Woodworking Industry Makes Its Own Space
The woodworking industry consists of processing timber using mechanical and chemical-mechanical treatment. This includes raw materials from wood and various types of wood. One of the main products from this industry is the production of furniture. The woodworking industry has found a way to battle the pandemic by optimizing space in your home closets. There is a resurrection of Closet Con, where design meets manufacturing. Here is more about Closet Con. Continue reading Woodworking Industry Makes Its Own Space
Markdowns on Used Machinery
Markdowns on used machinery are words that brighten the day of many that shop at HGR. One of the most beneficial categories at HGR is the Markdown category. It is here that you will find great deals on used equipment of all kinds. HGR just doesn’t markdown the stuff nobody wants. HGR marks down everything! It is typically ran on a time schedule based off of the inventory date of the item. The longer the item sits at HGR, the more the markdown is increased until it reached the Last Chance Closeouts category. Here is when the item hits the rock bottom pricing and is priced to sell, with a little room to negotiate, on some items. What is in the Markdown category that makes it such a worthwhile browse? Read on to find out markdowns on used machinery. Continue reading Markdowns on Used Machinery
Finishing Equipment in High Demand
Doing some research on popular search terms in the manufacturing or industrial industry, I found that finishing equipment is at its highest search volume in years. According to Keywords Trend Data, it is matching the two high points set back in mid-2017 and early 2015. This means the high demand for used finishing equipment is as great as it ever was. Luckily, HGR is your number one source for used machinery and has a finishing equipment category. Here you will find all of the items you will need to help your business maintain productivity without stoppage. Understanding the reasoning behind the demand in finishing equipment can not only help HGR be aggressive in obtaining the items you need, but also allow you to go after items for resale or refurbishment more confidently. Continue reading Finishing Equipment in High Demand
How to Take Advantage of Online Sales at HGR
Due to the current crisis HGR has shifted their sales online for the unseeable future. This applies to the regular sales, but some flash sales may still be in-store, as well as online. What does this mean you as a consumer and how can you use this to your advantage when it comes to sale day? There have also been a few questions on what the inventory date means and how to use the filter to find the items. This article is aimed at you, the user, and how you can take full advantage of your number one resource for used machinery and surplus supplies. Continue reading How to Take Advantage of Online Sales at HGR
Buying and Selling Used Machinery with HGR

Used machinery has never been in more demand than currently, on both sides of the coin of buying and selling. HGR is your number one source for either selling your machinery, or buying used machinery. In some cases, your business may be looking to fill an immediate need for parts, and HGR has that machine in stock. Having a back up machine for parts or secondary use is a smart way to make sure production doesn’t stop. We are going to look at the buying and selling side of used machinery to see if your company can benefit from using the number one resource for used machinery and surplus supplies. Continue reading Buying and Selling Used Machinery with HGR
Used Cincinnati Equipment
Cincinnati shears are some of the best performing in their industry. Since the late 1890’s when first formed as Cincinnati Shaper Company, they have been providing quality equipment and raising the industry standard. HGR Industrial Surplus is proud to stock used Cincinnati shears and other products providing you great machinery at lower prices. Currently HGR has more than 50 Cincinnati products including grinders, press brakes, lathes, and more. You can view all HGR has to offer from Cincinnati here. Below we will look at some these items closer. Continue reading Used Cincinnati Equipment
Used Mori Seiki Machinery at HGR
Mori Seiki manufactures and sells machine tools and machinery. It is based out of Makamura-ku, Nagoya, Japan. The company was formed in 1948 and has grown into one of the largest machine tool builders. In 2009 Mori Seiki partnered Sith Deckel-Maho-Glidemeister and have recently reported that they look to buy out their German partner. What are some of the things HGR stocks from Mori Seiki? Use this link to take you to our manufacturer search option. Continue reading Used Mori Seiki Machinery at HGR
Komatsu Brand Machinery at HGR Industrial Surplus
Komatsu America manufactures a wide variety of machinery, mining equipment, forestry equipment, forklifts and more. HGR Industrial Surplus has a few different Komatsu Items in stock currently if you are interested in this brand. You will find a Komatsu Press or a forklift in used condition at HGR. There will most likely won’t be any mining or forestry equipment. Komatsu’s website may be the best source for those items. Otherwise, we want to look at the history of the Komatsu brand in case you may not be familiar with them. Continue reading Komatsu Brand Machinery at HGR Industrial Surplus
Used Motors Keep You Running at HGR
Used motors for all of your industrial needs can be found within the 12 acres of HGR Industrial Surplus in Euclid, Ohio. This is one of the more robust categories at HGR featuring over 1,300 items on any given day. The category is split into two sub categories to help break down the search results. We will take a look at each of the sub categories in the paragraphs below. The sub categories are motors and gears drives. Continue reading Used Motors Keep You Running at HGR
Used Welders for Sale at HGR Industrial Surplus
Used welders for sale by brands like Lincoln and Miller are at HGR Industrial Surplus and more are arriving daily. Arc welders, spot welders, and more fill the 12 acres of industrial surplus in Euclid, Ohio. If you haven’t been to the warehouse or can’t make it in, the HGR homepage is you number one source for used machinery and industrial surplus supplies. Used welders for sale aren’t the reason to browse our welding category. Welding curtains, current controls, and wire are also available at lower costs than buying a new welder or welding supplies. Be sure to see what all we have. Here is a little more about the types of welders in our sub categories. Continue reading Used Welders for Sale at HGR Industrial Surplus
Fabrication Equipment in Essential Times
Fabrication equipment has been one of the bright areas during the pandemic. With machine shops being deemed essential in Ohio, some business are working like nothing ever happened. Besides social distancing and wearing masks, the days go on how they used to. Production is up for many places and fabrication equipment is getting more traffic for many dealers and this includes used fabrication like HGR sells. Formers, press brakes, shears and more await you in HGR’s Fabrication category. Let’s talk more about the items you will find here. Continue reading Fabrication Equipment in Essential Times
Used Industrial Equipment at HGR
Used industrial equipment doesn’t always jump to mind when you are looking to expand your company or repair essential equipment that goes down. It may be one of the best options though. Often times used industrial machinery can be bought at a savings, making it worthwhile to salvage parts from. You have to have extra room to store these machines, so there are a few drawbacks. Maybe you need to expand your business and want to find a machine fitted for the jobs you need to get done. HGR can help with all of this and more including surplus supplies. When we say we buy and sell everything, we mean it. Make sure you check out aisle 1, and you’ll see what I mean. Continue reading Used Industrial Equipment at HGR
Used Lathe – 3 Reasons to Buy One
Let’s face it. The cost of doing business isn’t cheap. Every chance you get to save a few dollars is worth investigating. There are probably more than 3 reasons to buy a used lathe, but let’s keep it simple. One of HGR’s most popular items are used lathes. When it comes time to upgrade, replace, or expand, it would benefit you to search through HGR Industrial Surplus’ website to see what used lathes are available. If saving money isn’t a big enough driving force, how about 3 reason to buy a used lathe. Continue reading Used Lathe – 3 Reasons to Buy One
Used Material Handling Equipment Needs are on the Rise
In today’s current situation, used material handling needs are on the rise due to consumer demands in deliverable products. Warehouses, in some cases, are around the clock. They are constantly moving products in and out of their facility to keep up with the demand. Used material handling equipment can help meet the rising demands while costing less than new material handling equipment like forklifts, pallet jacks, conveyors, wire decking, racking and more. HGR has a large category full of these items that you can see here. Continue reading Used Material Handling Equipment Needs are on the Rise
Used Fabrication Equipment Like Roll Formers and Coil reels At HGR Industrial Surplus
Fabrication equipment can be expensive and when a machine goes down, your production can come to a halt. Buying a new shear or press brake can really tax your budget, so buying used machinery may be a great option for your fabrication business or machine shop. While band saws, shears, and press brakes may crowd the fabrication equipment category, there are plenty of other items to be found. There are also hundreds of items coming in daily so you never know what you may stumble across when browsing HGR Industrial Surplus. Continue reading Used Fabrication Equipment Like Roll Formers and Coil reels At HGR Industrial Surplus
Used Lathes, CNC and Gap Bed Lathes at HGR Industrials Surplus
HGR has been buying and selling used machinery for more than 20 years. Lathes have been one of the most popular items that have come and gone through the 12-acre showroom. Whether you are looking for a Hardinge, Monarch, or a Mori Seiki, there is a good chance that HGR has one. There are quite a variety of lathes as well and you can bet, they have been bought and sold here. CNC lathes are the most popular but you will see plenty gap bed lathes and spindle lathes. If you have never browsed through our selection, then do so here. Let’s look more at what type of machinery is available. We will look specifically at gap bed lathes and CNC lathes. Continue reading Used Lathes, CNC and Gap Bed Lathes at HGR Industrials Surplus
Atlas Copco Products Available at HGR Industrial Surplus
Atlas Copco manufactures a variety of equipment and HGR Industrial Surplus comes across this brand quite often. Here are some of the industrial tools and equipment currently available and they include; air compressors, nutrunners, servo drives, air dryers, and many more. Check out what is now available from Atlas Copco here. If you aren’t familiar with the brand, we decided to take at look at their history , so if you’re curious, read on. Continue reading Atlas Copco Products Available at HGR Industrial Surplus
Kira Corporation Machinery at HGR Industrial Surplus
HGR just inventoried a few different items manufactured by Kira Corporation. These items include tapping centers and vertical machining centers, which are items HGR frequently stocks, even if Kira Corp. isn’t one of the brands we often see. To provide a little insight, we wanted to look at who Kira Corp is as a company and a little of its history. If you want to see machines similar to these that are currently in stock, view our currently inventory here.
Continue reading Kira Corporation Machinery at HGR Industrial Surplus
Clausing Lathes at HGR Industrial Surplus
Clausing is one of many manufacturers you will come across when browsing through HGR’s robust inventory of used machinery and surplus supplies. Currently, the inventory boasts more than 20 thousand items available for purchase. The inventory includes Lathes, CNC Machines, Drill Presses, Maintenance Supplies, Woodworking Equipment, and too many others to name. Let’s take a closer look at Clausing and their history. Continue reading Clausing Lathes at HGR Industrial Surplus
Used Machine Shop Equipment at HGR
Used machine shop equipment at HGR Industrial Surplus can be a great way to save money on getting the machinery or industrial equipment you need. One of the biggest hurdles in the machine shop industry is the capital it takes to start one or maintain one. Milling machines can cost an average of $60,000 according to Manufacturing Tomorrow. How can HGR help? Let’s look at some of the items currently at HGR. Continue reading Used Machine Shop Equipment at HGR
Used Generators at HGR Industrial Surplus
The manufacturing industry is dependent upon the production continuing under any circumstance. In order to maintain this, there needs to be a constant flow of power. Industrial generators are large enough to keep some of the necessary functions going. These backup generators are essential to keeping things running like clock work. If you are in need of one, see what HGR has to offer. Buying a used generator can save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars. HGR has a wide variety so feel free to browse our category or read on below for more details. Continue reading Used Generators at HGR Industrial Surplus
ABB Robotics for Sale at HGR Industrial Surplus
HGR frequently gets in robots of all makes and uses. One of the more popular brands is ABB Robotics and currently there are over 150 items in that category. There are so many uses for robots in the manufacturing and industrial sectors, that you are most likely going to see something of use for you when browsing our robots category. In case you aren’t familiar with ABB Robotics, here is a little history about the company and who they are. Continue reading ABB Robotics for Sale at HGR Industrial Surplus
Komatsu Products for Sale at HGR
The Komatsu brand was in the mining industry when it decided to manufacture the machines it needed to support that industry. By building the machinery in-house, it allowed them to control costs. It was in 1924 when they manufactured their first press. It was a 450-ton sheet-forming press. After years of research, in 1935 they began producing high-grade castings and sheet materials. By 1948 they were producing large hydraulic presses, they introduced the D50 bulldozer, and began diesel production. Continue reading Komatsu Products for Sale at HGR
Amada, Miller Welding, and Clark are a Few Brand Names at HGR
HGR is home to one of the largest showrooms full of industrial equipment and supplies. It’s 12 acres of machinery used in industrial applications and manufacturing processes. There are truckloads more coming in daily. With so many items and the randomness of what’s coming in, there are too many brands to list what all HGR has in inventory. Let’s take a look at a few of the manufacturers currently in stock at HGR Industrial Surplus. Continue reading Amada, Miller Welding, and Clark are a Few Brand Names at HGR
Surplus to sell? HGR is here to buy!
Do you have any machinery that is no longer useful or needed? Chances are you will be able to sell it for scrap metal – and only get scraps in return. HGR has a much better plan for you to help recoup costs and clear up floor space: sell your surplus machinery to us! HGR buys over 4,000 truckloads of surplus a year from companies like yours. Whether you are trying to sell one item or an entire warehouse of items, HGR is eager to work with you. Watch this video for more details. If you need to reach one of our buyers to sell your surplus, please fill out the form on our website here, and we will get back to you a fast as possible. Continue reading Surplus to sell? HGR is here to buy!
Actions at HGR to help combat COVID-19

You may have noticed some changes around HGR lately. We have been closely watching the global outbreak of COVID-19 and we are very serious about helping to stop this pandemic. Our highest priority is to ensure the health and safety of our customers, staff and families. Continue reading Actions at HGR to help combat COVID-19
Used Machine Tools at HGR

HGR has high quality used machine tools that you can easily purchase with substantial savings. Machine tools are components for cutting and shaping metal – this may include grinding machines, milling machines, lathes, shearing equipment and more. These machines are absolutely vital in manufacturing and fabrication – it’s no surprise that major corporations like Amada, Haas, Komatsu and Mori Seiki are all deeply invested in creating machine tool equipment. The machine tool industry shows no sign of slowing down as the necessity for metal cutting, precision machining and mass production of goods for global commerce is steadily increasing year over year. Continue reading Used Machine Tools at HGR
Used Vertical Mill Machines at HGR

HGR is prone to receive hundreds of new items every day. Luckily for our customers, it’s all grist for the mill. In other words, HGR can make any item useful for somebody. One item that consistently stays in high demand is vertical mill machines. Milling is the process of cutting or shaping metal using a rotating tool. Vertical milling is a popular type of machine in this class. With these mills, the spindle is oriented vertically so it can easily move up and done while rotating. You will also find horizontal mills that work by moving the spindle from side to side on the alternate axis. These are predominantly used to create larger items with high precision parts such as a manufacturing jig. There are many different tools used with a milling machine to create the type of shape you are going for. There is a large description of milling machine varieties and uses on the dedicated Wikipedia page for milling. Continue reading Used Vertical Mill Machines at HGR
Grappling With Unique Items at HGR

Batman isn’t the only superhero who uses a grappling hook. First responders, firefighters and police departments across the world also need them from time to time. Our modern day heroes aren’t the first people to use grappling hooks – the need for line throwing equipment goes back thousands of years. According to Wikipedia, the earliest example of a grappling hook can be found in ancient Roman times. Soldiers would use hooks to latch onto ships and then wrangle them with rope. Evidence of these grappling hooks can also be found in ancient China. The use of line throwing would continue to evolve from crude humble beginnings into high powered pneumatic technology today. One amazing innovation is called the gravity hook – a type of retractable grappling hook that can open and close to pick up heavy items in hard to reach places. Today, grappling hooks are commonplace and can be found all over pop culture in areas like video games and comic books. Continue reading Grappling With Unique Items at HGR
HGR partners with RAKE for company charity event

It’s always nice to give back! A group of employees from HGR helped to pack 200 lunches for people in need on Friday, February 21. HGR partnered up with Ricky Smith and his organization RAKE – Random Acts Of Kindness – to coordinate the charity event. Over 20 employees, along with Ricky and his representatives from RAKE, spent a part of the afternoon assembling peanut butter & jelly sandwiches with other goodies to pass out. These bagged lunches were supplemented with other helpful items like new socks and toothbrushes. The goal of the event, and the main objective of RAKE, is to help spread kindness around the world. Continue reading HGR partners with RAKE for company charity event
Used Machines Create Lasting Savings

The machine industry is big business. Depending on what kind of machine is needed, it is not uncommon to spend six figures, if not more, on a single item for your company. It may be necessary to buy a brand new expensive machine from time to time, however, what if you need a fleet of machines for your operation? Alternatively, you may be a lone practitioner or a hobbyist who needs a sophisticated machine for personal projects. Putting your personal project on Hobby Machinist becomes infinitely easier when you don’t have to spend a fortune to acquire the machine. Continue reading Used Machines Create Lasting Savings
Browse CNC Machine Arrivals at HGR

HGR is your best source for used CNC machines. Computer Numerical Control – better known as CNC – is the main architecture behind programming machine movements. The programming of CNC movements creates a structure and blueprints for machines to follow when using CAM or CAD software. Rather than manually adjusting every millimeter of movement in advance, the CNC allows machinists to create a coding diagram that will let a machine work in auto pilot until the objective is complete. The machine can be a milling machine, lathe, router, welder, grinder, laser or waterjet cutter, sheet metal stamping machine, robot, or many others. For larger industrial machines, the computer is generally an on-board dedicated controller. However, the CNC can also be an external computer which communicates with the larger machine for the coding instructions. Continue reading Browse CNC Machine Arrivals at HGR
Going Once, Going Twice? The Evolution Of Online Auctions.

Before Ebay was even a possibility, a traditional auction was an event that had an aristocratic audience and was usually hidden from the general public. Early auction houses date back to the 1700s when aristocrats would gather to bid on a variety of hugely valuable items. Artwork, jewelry, books and furniture were common items featured in auction houses. When items are sold to the highest bidder, the experience becomes something closer to a sporting event more than just a sale of goods. In the early days of auctions, names like Sotheby’s and Christie’s were the only game in town. A couple hundred years later, the entire paradigm of an auction would shift into a digital world of unlimited potential. Continue reading Going Once, Going Twice? The Evolution Of Online Auctions.
HGR Saturday Sales – Monthly Marvel For Machine Enthusiasts
Once a month, HGR is proud to host a massive machine sale that features big discounts on hundreds of items. Our sales are held on the second Saturday of each month. People have been known to line up outside the front entrance as the doors open at 7:30am to begin the sale. Once inside, our customers are eager to browse HGR’s 12 acre showroom which contains hundreds of discounted machines and items. Continue reading HGR Saturday Sales – Monthly Marvel For Machine Enthusiasts
Market for Lathe Machines Shows Strong Indicators

Lathes are in high demand and it’s no surprise as to why. These versatile machines can handle a lot of different functions. Whether you are drilling a piece of metal or sanding a piece of wood, the main objective can be achieved by using a lathe. Every kind of major industry that produces physical goods will probably have a need for a lathe at some point – from furniture companies to automotive and aerospace giants. Continue reading Market for Lathe Machines Shows Strong Indicators
Woodworking in the spotlight at Cabinets & Closets Expo in March 2020

Woodworking fanatics from around the country will convene in Arlington, Texas for the Cabinets & Closets Expo on March 11, 2020. The annual event – which features a full-day conference, plant tour, and exposition – is dedicated to home remodeling professionals specializing in building kitchen cabinets, closets, and other home storage designs. The scope and creativity of the exhibits are a testament to the continued intrigue of woodworking. Get more details on the Expo here. Continue reading Woodworking in the spotlight at Cabinets & Closets Expo in March 2020
Everybody’s Welding for the Weekend

The modern science of fusing metals together has been around for over a century. Depending on how far back in history we want to go, one could find evidence of primitive welding in the Bronze Age when common metals were used to create tools, weapons and even currency. In the intervening millennia, welding has grown from humble beginnings into an industry unto itself. Welding is used by many organizations, and in many disparate ways, to create all sorts of unique commodities. Continue reading Everybody’s Welding for the Weekend
The Future Is Bright For Big Business Using Big Machines

2020 is only a few weeks old, and yet, there are already early indicators that heavy machinery will be steadily increasing in production and usage throughout the decade. With the continuing rise of global commerce, combined with the power of Artificial Intelligence and various automation functionality, many machinery companies are feeling confident that business is going to be booming in the coming years. Continue reading The Future Is Bright For Big Business Using Big Machines
Ultrasonic Welding Looks to Make Big Noise in the Future

We have all seen a movie where someone’s voice is so high, that it breaks a glass in half, right? The science behind it says that high-pitched or high-frequency sounds have the ability to break materials apart, but that’s not the end of it. You can also use high-frequency vibrations and friction to bond materials together. That’s what Ultrasonic Welding is, in a nutshell. Continue reading Ultrasonic Welding Looks to Make Big Noise in the Future
Used Packaging Machinery at HGR
Packaging machinery is used throughout all the packaging processes or operations such as cartoning, cleaning, closing, filling, labeling, and others. Different timing mechanisms are used in the packaging machinery which decides the speed of the machinery. These machines can work manually and semi-automatic or automatically. The end-use industries are progressively shifting towards integrated, sophisticated, and standardized equipment to meet with environmental standards and to reduce packaging waste. Continue reading Used Packaging Machinery at HGR
Reshoring America’s Jobs
Reshoring America’s Jobs are current buzz words being thrown around and for good reason. It is the practice of transferring your business operation that was overseas and back to the country it was originally located. The new Reshoring Initiative providing $100 million dollars to develop apprenticeship programs, legislation introduced to help close trade deficit, and a Reshoring Initiative president has been appointed to the Department of Commerce Investment Advisory Council. All big steps needed to move this initiative forward. Continue reading Reshoring America’s Jobs
CNC Turning Machines Show Growth Through 2025
CNC Turning Machines are an important part of the manufacturing process. If you are a machine dealer or own a machine shop of any sort, it is important to keep an eye on the landscape of the business. While no one knows the future, one can look into the past, notice trends, and reasonably set goals that are achievable and sustainable. From a report created by hexaresearch.com they take a look at the upcoming CNC Turning Machine’s projected market value through 2025. Below is a summary. You can see the whole report here. Continue reading CNC Turning Machines Show Growth Through 2025
Robots on the Rise at HGR
HGR has robots and robot arms galore. Small robotic arms for intricate details and giant robotic arms with attachments to make good ole’ Ripley jealous. Not an Aliens fan, it’s ok. You don’t have to be to see that HGR can save you money by offering you used machinery as an option. Continue reading Robots on the Rise at HGR
3 Manufacturing Trends to Pay Attention To
3 Manufacturing Trends to Pay Attention To
When it comes to trends, there are so few to really pay attention to. Everyone is fighting for your attention and money and claiming they have the next big thing. They all promise to take your company or performance to the next level and make you rise above the competition. Most of these trends are marketing ploys to line the pockets of corporations, and have little to no real-world use. Every now and then, however, a few of them just seem to make a lot of sense. Some trends not only have real-world use, but the practicality of them makes it seem like a sure-fire, can’t-miss trend to jump on while it is early. Here are a few trends you might want to keep an eye on if you are in the manufacturing sector. Continue reading 3 Manufacturing Trends to Pay Attention To
5 Thoughts Before Buying Used Equipment
5 Thoughts Before Buying Used Machinery
Buying used machinery can be an excellent way to grow your business and stay within budget. You could be searching for high-end CNC equipment or a consumer grade drill press, and the chances are, you would save money buying used. The first part of buying used is knowing where to look. Obviously, I would recommend HGR Industrial Surplus given the large inventory and variety of equipment. In the end, wherever you choose, there a few things to keep in mind when buying used machinery. Continue reading 5 Thoughts Before Buying Used Equipment
5 Reasons to Buy Used Equipment from an Auction
We already know who has the largest industrial surplus showroom in the galaxy, but did you know that HGR Industrial Surplus partners up with Cincinnati Industrial Auctioneers to market auctions? These auctions are great opportunities to get working machinery to help support your current business with little to no downtime. Do you want 5 more reasons to purchase machinery from an auction? Consider this list the next time you are ready to purchase equipment. Continue reading 5 Reasons to Buy Used Equipment from an Auction
Get to Know HGR’s Kyle Strader
What is your job title?
Inbound logistics agent
What do you do/what are your job responsibilities on a day-to-day basis?
Deonte Matthews and I schedule all inbound freight to be inventoried here in Euclid, whether it be consignment or purchased. Continue reading Get to Know HGR’s Kyle Strader
Bitesize Business Workshop: Design Thinking
Join the Euclid Chamber of Commerce at Moore Counseling & Mediation Services , 22639 Euclid Ave., Euclid, Ohio, on Dec. 13 from 8:30-10 a.m. for an educational workshop presented by Matthew Selker.
There is no cost to attend. Membership is not required.
Please contact Jasmine Poston at 216.404.1900 or jposton@moorecounseling.com to register.
Euclid Chamber of Commerce hosts annual holiday party
Click here to RSVP.
HGR Industrial Surplus’ Thanksgiving 2018 hours
Here are our holiday hours so that you can plan your visit or pickup. For the week of Thanksgiving, we will be open for normal business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. We are closed on Thursday to observe Thanksgiving with our families. We will re-open for shorter Black Friday hours on Nov. 23 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The following week, we resume our normal hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Enjoy celebrating your holiday and all the people and things for which you are grateful!
Get to Know HGR’s Ludie Toles

What is your job title?
I am a marketing administrator.
What are your job responsibilities on a day-to-day basis?
I call on manufacturing companies to talk to them about HGR buying their surplus equipment. If they have surplus, I then enter the information I gathered into our customer relationship management (CRM) system as a lead and set an appointment for the buyer to view the equipment and put in a bid if we are interested. Continue reading Get to Know HGR’s Ludie Toles
Euclid Chamber of Commerce Coffee Connections: Mount St. Joseph Rehab Center
SAVE THE DATE! Join the Euclid Chamber of Commerce at Mount St. Joseph Rehab Center, 21800 Chardon Rd., Euclid, Ohio, on Nov. 13 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. EST for coffee, a chat and a tour.
There is no cost to attend. Membership is not required.
Please register here.
American Eagle Antiques believes in unique, quality furnishings and excellent customer service
(Courtesy of Guest Bloggers Bill and Colleen Ulbrich, co-owners, American Eagle Antiques)
I started American Eagle Antiques in 1973 in my home state of New Jersey. Shopping local flea markets sparked an interest in antiques, particularly furniture. I was buying and selling for several years before I married Colleen, a native Clevelander and good friend from student days at Case Western Reserve University. Continue reading American Eagle Antiques believes in unique, quality furnishings and excellent customer service
Local Italian grocery calls Willowick “home” for 46 years
(Courtesy of Guest Blogger Paolo Guerreri, manager, Alesci’s of Shoregate)
Alesci’s of Willowick started back in 1972 when my father, Alfredo Guerrieri and my uncle, Antonio Guerrieri, bought the franchise rights off the Alesci’s of South Euclid guys. They both worked at other Alesci’s stores, and that’s where they got their experience and their drive to open their own store. I believe there were six other Alesci’s stores, and the idea of owning their own business was a lifetime dream of theirs. Continue reading Local Italian grocery calls Willowick “home” for 46 years
Local manufacturer supplies jigs and hardware to nonprofit that builds beds for kids

(Courtesy of Guest Blogger Joshua Smith, waterjet technician, Beverage Machine & Fabricators, Inc.)
I’ve recently became involved in something, and I thought HGR’s customers might be interested in this story. To make a short story long, a buddy of mine recently stumbled onto a company based in Idaho called Sleep in Heavenly Peace. It’s a non-profit that builds beds for kids who are sleeping on floors. Continue reading Local manufacturer supplies jigs and hardware to nonprofit that builds beds for kids
Community Leaders Breakfast
The Euclid Chamber of Commerce presents the Annual Community Leaders Breakfast, featuring speakers Euclid City Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer Gail and new Euclid Schools Superintendent Marvin Jones.
Enjoy breakfast in the Lincoln Electric Welding Technology & Training Center, the newly constructed 130,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility dedicated to training educators, industry leaders and skilled trade workers in the craft and science of welding.
Venue | Lincoln Electric Welding Technology & Training Center |
Address | 22800 St. Clair Avenue Euclid OH 44117 |
Starts | Thursday, Oct. 18 2018, 8:30 a.m. EDT |
Register here.
Get to Know HGR’s Jim Profitt
What is your job title?
I am a second-shift receiving expeditor.
What are your job responsibilities on a day-to-day basis?
I am a multi-department forklift operator. As an expeditor my duties can include:
- Offload and set up of daily inventory
- Move merchandise to either a direct location on the showroom floor or stage in new arrivals until space is available
- Assist the showroom with pulling orders for trucks, containers, prep for shipping, and prep and load for customers picking up
- Remove merchandise for scrap or move to storage
What type of employer is HGR? Buyer Spotlight with Rick Affrica
When did you start with HGR, and why?
I started with HGR back when it all began – 1997. I was presented with an offer to leave the company that I had been working with (along with 11 others) and be part of something new – something great. So, I started with HGR, and we “Hit the Ground Running.” Continue reading What type of employer is HGR? Buyer Spotlight with Rick Affrica
Euclid Chamber of Commerce Coffee Connections: Councilperson Brian Moore’s office
SAVE THE DATE! Join the Euclid Chamber of Commerce at the office of Euclid City Councilperson Brian Moore., 22657 Euclid Ave., Euclid, Ohio, on Oct. 9 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. EST for a for coffee and a chat.
There is no cost to attend. Membership is not required.
Please register here.
It’s time for pizza at HGR Industrial Surplus
As we’re heading into the cooler months, we’ve packed away our grilling tools and called the pizza delivery guy. Starting on Oct. 3, it’s pizza on Wednesdays until next summer. Join us starting at 11 a.m. for fresh pizza while you shop at HGR.
HGR Industrial Surplus customer volunteers with the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
Thanks to HGR Industrial Surplus’ Customer and Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad (CVSR)’s former Safety Manager and Current Volunteer Tony Caruso, I had the chance to tour the CVSR’s railyard and learn some important historical information about the railroad. What a treat, especially because HGR’s site has ties to the Nickel Plate Road, and so does Tony. Continue reading HGR Industrial Surplus customer volunteers with the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
Cleveland native comes back home to build large-scale textile printing studio
(Courtesy of Guest Blogger Dan Bortz, artist)
The Time Change Generator in Cleveland is a fine-art-focused, oversized textile screen printing studio being built by me and my partner. I’m originally from Cleveland, but I left home in 2008 to attend California College of the Arts in Oakland, Calif., where I met my long-term partner, Lynnea Holland-Weiss. Continue reading Cleveland native comes back home to build large-scale textile printing studio
HGR’s Last Cookout of 2018
Every Wednesday, HGR offers its customers free lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. In the summer, it’s a cookout. This year, we had grilled Italian sausage with grilled onions and peppers and hamburgers with lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese and chips. We even have relish, mustard, ketchup, BBQ sauce and mayo. If you love the cookout, get it while it’s hot. If you’ve never tried it, next week on Sept. 26 is your last chance until next year when the weather breaks. On Oct. 3, we switch to pizza during the colder months.
Get to Know HGR’s Obed Montejano
What is your job title?
I am a marketing administrator.
What are your job responsibilities on a day-to-day basis?
I make outbound calls to companies and try to get them to sell us their unused surplus items. I enter all the information I gather into our database, and when companies inform me that they want to sell their items I send it to the buyers. Continue reading Get to Know HGR’s Obed Montejano
Bitesize Business Workshop: Conflict Management Strategies
Join the Euclid Chamber of Commerce at Moore Counseling & Mediation Services , 22639 Euclid Ave., Euclid, Ohio, on Sept. 13 from 8:30-10 a.m. for an educational workshop presented by Matthew Selker and Dr. Dale Hartz.
There is no cost to attend. Membership is not required.
Please contact Jasmine Poston at 216.404.1900 or jposton@moorecounseling.com to register.
Euclid Chamber of Commerce Coffee Connections: Gateway Retirement Community
SAVE THE DATE! Join the Euclid Chamber of Commerce at Gateway Retirement Community, 1 Gateway Dr., Euclid, Ohio, on Sept. 11 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. EST for a presentation and tour of the community over coffee and networking. Look for the signs directing you to the Gateway Manor Building.
There is no cost to attend. Membership is not required.
Please register here.
HGR will be closed on Labor Day
Local steel processor cuts rolled steel for use in automotive parts
(courtesy of Allan Maggied, plant manager, Chesterfield Steel)
It all started in the early 1940s in an office on Dille Road when Baird Tewksbury opened Chesterfield Steel. The original part of today’s building was an ALCOA storage shed located on Harvard Avenue. Mr. Tewksbury had the building disassembled and reassembled, with additions, at the current 222nd and Tungsten location in Euclid, Ohio. The facility now is 117,000 square feet. Ed Weiner became Mr. Tewksbury’s partner in 1945. Somewhere in the late 1950s to early 1960s Mr. Tewksbury sold his half of the business to Ernie Tallisman. For a short time, the business was called Weiner-Tallisman. After Mr. Weiner’s passing in 1967, the Weiner family sold their portion of the business to Mr. Tallisman, and the Tallisman family owned the business until 2008 when it was purchased by Lerman Enterprises and became Steel Warehouse Cleveland, LLC, dba Chesterfield Steel. Continue reading Local steel processor cuts rolled steel for use in automotive parts
Q&A with Waterloo Arts Fest Artist-in-Residence Angela Oster
When did you know you were an artist?
I’ve always loved to draw and make things, but it took a while to consider myself an artist. I think it was after I developed the habit of drawing every day that I had the confidence to call myself an artist.
How did you get your training?
I have a BFA from The Cleveland Institute of Art and took vocational commercial art in high school. I also did a mentorship with Dan Krall, an illustrator and animator. I also practice a lot on my own. Continue reading Q&A with Waterloo Arts Fest Artist-in-Residence Angela Oster
Euclid Chamber of Commerce Social Media Workshop
On Aug. 15 at 6:30 p.m. at Euclid Public Library, 631 E. 22nd St., Euclid, you can learn to identify the social media tools that will be most effective for your business, how to set up accounts on these platforms and how to manage social media so that it does not rule your working day. Instructor Chic Dickson, founder and owner, C7Branding, which specializes in digital business identity solutions understands that non-profits, social work agencies, and government entities have often used social media purely to market their brand to their potential clients and funders. Chic has combined social media with evidence-based strategies to cultivate client engagement and keep client loyalty longer. Chic has been featured in The Plain Dealer, WKYC, The News-Herald, and various other websites and blogs for her success in utilizing social media to reach audiences from all over the world. Continue reading Euclid Chamber of Commerce Social Media Workshop
Euclid Chamber of Commerce Coffee Connections: Willoughby Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce
SAVE THE DATE! Join the Euclid Chamber of Commerce at The Cabin, 28810 Lakeshore Blvd., Willowick, Ohio, on Aug. 14 from 8:00-9:00 a.m. EST for a presentation from the Willoughby Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce over coffee and networking.
There is no cost to attend. Membership is not required.
Please register here.
NMRA’s presents 45th Great Berea Train Show
Meet a local manufacturer of dental crowns, impants and dentures
(Q&A with Robert Lash, president, Moskey Dental Laboratories)
What is dental restoration?
A dental restoration replaces a tooth or teeth in a patient’s mouth. The dentist makes either an analog or digital impression and sends it to Moskey Dental Laboratories with a prescription for the type of restoration he/she wants.
What is your background? I see that you completed your undergraduate studies at Emory University and law school at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. How did you end up in dental restoration?
Despite my education, my family’s business was our dental lab since my grandfather started it in 1924. When my father’s partners left the business I joined to help him continue. Continue reading Meet a local manufacturer of dental crowns, impants and dentures
Summer art-camp students design and build wind chimes using reclaimed materials

Waterloo Arts offered its annual Round Robin summer arts camp to children aged 6-13. The first session was held July 9-20 and the second session is July 23-Aug. 3. HGR Industrial Surplus was a sponsor because we are invested in S.T.E.A.M. education. Continue reading Summer art-camp students design and build wind chimes using reclaimed materials
Local community college assists manufacturers with setting up state-approved apprenticeship training programs
(Q&A with Christin (aka Chrissy) Cooney, program coordinator, Lorain County Community College)
When did the apprenticeship programs begin at LCCC?
LCCC did customized apprenticeships for individual companies, including Ford, for 30 years, and still does. But, the new state-approved apprenticeship training program counts toward a degree and is registered with and approved by the state, not just internal to the company. The Medina County pilot, in partnership with Cuyahoga Community College, began in January 2017 with the first group of students starting their apprenticeship training in August 2017. Next term, they will be on machines at Medina County Career Center with LCCC and Tri-C faculty teaching. Each semester, the apprentices take one course through Tri-C and one course through LCCC, but the LCCC faculty members travel to Tri-C to teach the courses there for the pilot companies from Medina County. There currently are 15 shared students in the program with eight registered to LCCC and seven registered to Tri-C. We have taken collaboration to a new level and broken down barriers between colleges. Continue reading Local community college assists manufacturers with setting up state-approved apprenticeship training programs
Euclid Chamber of Commerce hosting civilian response to active shooter event
On July 25 from 10-11:30 a.m. the Euclid Chamber of Commerce is holding CRASE: Civilian Response to Active Shooter Event presented by the Euclid Police Department for Euclid businesses at the Lincoln Electric Welding & Technology Center, 22800 St. Clair Ave., Euclid, Ohio.
In the last two years, there have been 50 active shooter incidents in the United States; four occurred in Ohio; 17 occurred in a business environment. This presentation can be helpful to business owners, human resources managers, security personnel, employees or anyone interested in learning more. Information presented may be useful when developing active-shooter policies and procedures for the workplace. Resources will be provided.
This event is free, and you do not need to be a chamber member to attend. Registration is required.
Please register here.
An HGR customer shares her creative repurposing story
(Courtesy of an HGR customer who wishes to remain anonymous)
We are an HGR Industrial Surplus family. My husband first noticed your sign on a drive by the area. Since he has a manufacturing background, he stopped in to see what you were all about. That was about 15 years ago. Continue reading An HGR customer shares her creative repurposing story
HGR Industrial Surplus continues green initiatives
As a recycling company that buys industrial surplus and resells it to put it back into service and keep it out of landfills, recycling is part of our culture. As our Controller Ed Kneitel says, “We want to be good stewards of our environment.” To that end, we have been shredding paper and donating it to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History for cage bedding and animal enrichment. Our wooden skids and baled cardboard are picked up and recycled. We sell our used oil that is drained from equipment to someone who uses it to heat his building. During our renovation, we had energy-efficient lighting installed. Continue reading HGR Industrial Surplus continues green initiatives
Q&A with Beachland Ballroom’s Co-owner Cindy Barber
Are you a musician?
No, but I am passionate about music.
What made you open a concert venue?
I worked for music/record companies, including Decca which later became MCA, when I was 18 doing office/administrative work and was exposed to the business. I took orders from people like Michael Stanley for their record stores.
I moved to the area because of the lake, rented for a while then bought a house on Lake Erie so I could look at the sunset every night. I was the editor of the Cleveland Free Times, which was bought by a chain. So, I moved on to do something to help the neighborhood. It took a lot of sweet talking with the banks because no one wanted to support a concert venue in North Collinwood. Continue reading Q&A with Beachland Ballroom’s Co-owner Cindy Barber
Euclid Chamber of Commerce Coffee Connections: Moore Counseling & Mediation Services
SAVE THE DATE! Join the Euclid Chamber of Commerce at Moore Counseling & Mediation Services, 22639 Euclid Ave., Euclid, Ohio, on July 10 at 8:30-9:30 a.m. EST for coffee and networking.
There is no cost to attend. Membership is not required.
Please register here.
Bitesize Business Workshop: Financial Workshop for Small Businesses II
Join the Euclid Chamber of Commerce at Euclid Public Library, 631 E. 222nd St., Euclid, Ohio, on July 10 from 8:30-10 a.m. for an educational discussion. Are you thinking of starting a business? Or have you been in business for several years? If so, this workshop was designed for you. It will cover:
- how to create a monthly, quarterly and annual accounting calendar
- financial software
- financial reports and how to read them
There is no cost to attend. Membership is not required. The instructor is Kathleen M. Smychynsky of Kathleen J. Miller & Associates.
Please register here.
Euclid Chamber of Commerce accepting registration for 2018 golf outing
It’s time for the Annual Euclid Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing! Join us for a great day of golf with skill shots, skins games, giveaways and prizes starting at 10:30 a.m. on July 20 at Briardale Greens Golf Course.
All golfers receive lunch, beverages, golf with cart, one ticket to the 19th Hole BBQ, one entry to bocce roll contest, and one entry to darts contest. Single golfers will be assigned to a foursome.
Pre-purchase either mulligans or skins and receive the “String It Out” ($20 value). This 3-foot piece of string, can be used to improve a lie, sink a putt or move a putt. However, each time the string is brought into play, that length used must be cut off. When all the string is gone, it’s gone! (Mulligans: 2 per player $10 per player, $40 per foursome / Skins game $5 per player, $20 per foursome).
Not a golfer? Join us for the 19th Hole BBQ social from 4 – 6 p.m. and try your luck at games and prizes.
Please register here.
Happy Independence Day 2018!
The 16th-annual Waterloo Arts Fest is this weekend
(provided courtesy of Waterloo Arts)
The 16th-Annual Waterloo Arts Fest is Saturday, June 30, 2018, from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Waterloo Arts & Entertainment District, Cleveland, on Waterloo Rd. between E. 161 St. and Calcutta Ave. and features more than 40 local bands playing a great mix of music, local handmade art vendors, CLE’s best food trucks, and an exciting mix of innovative and interactive art experiences for all ages. At the Waterloo Arts Fest, you can roll up your sleeves, get your hands dirty and give art a try.
This community event is produced by Waterloo Arts, a nonprofit art center whose mission is to enrich the neighborhood culturally and economically by creating a stimulating arts environment through exhibits, performances, special events, and educational programming for people of all ages. In addition to orchestrating this festival, Waterloo Arts manages an art gallery, public art projects, a community arts center and artist studios.
What’s new this year?
This year we are excited to introduce an artist residency program to the event. For four to six weeks leading up to the festival, selected artists will create a temporary art installation that will be presented at the festival, and fans can follow along as the artists post progress shots of their work leading up to the big reveal. This year’s artists are Angela Oster and Susie Underwood. Each year, we would like to add residencies until we have as many as 20 artists creating large-scale installations for the event.
For more info and an event program, visit waterlooarts.org/fest.
Local manufacturer’s bushings and precision-machined components used in mines all over the world
Timothy Lining, vice president and general manager of SC Industries, Euclid, Ohio is the husband of the founder’s granddaughter, Karla. Karla’s grandfather, Karl Schulz, started the business in 1946 with two partners on Luther Ave. near East 72nd St., Cleveland. It was then called Skyway Machine Products. Later, they moved to St. Clair Ave. and then to Euclid in the 1960s because the entire family lived in the area and, eventually, his children graduated from Euclid High School. In 1973, Earl Lauridsen, the founder’s son-in-law and Tim’s father-in-law, joined the company and remains the current owner and president. In late 2003, Skyway Machine was shut down, and it was planned for the company to be liquidated because of the downturn and difficult economic conditions. However, in early 2004, new orders started to return, and a new business was formed called SC Industries to handle new orders. Tim joined the company in 2004 to temporarily “help out” in the shop and has been coming back ever since. In late 2007, Earl’s partner and brother-in-law Ralph Fross passed away. At that time, Tim took over the front office. Continue reading Local manufacturer’s bushings and precision-machined components used in mines all over the world
Cleveland Institute of Art graduate and HGR customer works as industrial designer
(Q&A with Greg Martin, director of design, Kichler Lighting)
Why did you decide to go to school at Cleveland Institute of Art?
I went to a college-prep Catholic high school with not even a generic art class. In spite of this, all I knew is I wanted to go to art school. Despite the best efforts of my teachers, my parents, and the school counselor (whose career testing indicated I was best suited to be a farmer), I convinced my parents enough that they agreed to let me apply at CIA. CIA was the only choice as I knew it was a great school, and it was close to home (meaning I could save money and live at home). I started at CIA intent on going into illustration, but changed course last minute to industrial design. Continue reading Cleveland Institute of Art graduate and HGR customer works as industrial designer
Euclid Chamber of Commerce Lunch by the Lake
Kick off the summer with lunch on June 21 from 12-1 p.m. on the terrace at Henn Mansion, 23131 Lakeshore Blvd., overlooking the lake. Bring your business cards for a chance to win a door prize (and, of course, to share with others). Updated information on chamber member benefits and discount programs will be available. Please click here to register. The cost is $15 for members and $20 for non-members.
High school senior takes senior photos at HGR Industrial Surplus
(Q&A with John Willett, Strongsville High School and Polaris Career Center graduating senior)
Where did you go to high school?
Strongsville High School and Polaris Career Center for precision CNC machining
Where are you future career plans?
I do not have college plans at this point. I worked full time as a temp at Efficient Machine Products during summer 2017, returned through Polaris’ early placement program and am now working there full time.
What is your intended career path?
I want to become a CNC machinist. Continue reading High school senior takes senior photos at HGR Industrial Surplus
3D designer also creates sculptures with objects found at HGR
(Q&A with Matthew Beckwith, partner, Photonic Studio)
Why did you decide to go to school at Cleveland Institute of Art?
I originally wanted to be a car designer. CIA was a better fit for me than other schools focused on automotive design that were located in Detroit and San Francisco. After trying cars for a year, I decided product design was a better fit for me.
What is your best memory of CIA?
Some of my best memories from CIA came from classes taught by Richard Fiorelli. His classes had a hands-on approach to working with materials that delivered results I would otherwise not think to sketch out. This hands-on concept of “play” to iterate concepts is something that has stuck with me throughout my career. Continue reading 3D designer also creates sculptures with objects found at HGR
Rules for the revolution
(Courtesy of Guest Blogger Alex Pendleton, Big Ideas for Small Companies powered by the MPI Group)
In my last blog in March — “Time For A Revolution” — I described experiences I’ve had with organizations in need of major change. Now I’d like to look at principles I’ve found helpful in starting down the turbulent path ahead. Revolution is possible without them, but it runs a lot more smoothly when they are followed. I’ll focus on manufacturing, because that’s where I’ve had most of my experience, but the principles apply in any situation. Continue reading Rules for the revolution
Bitesize Business Workshop: Exploring different learning styles
Join the Euclid Chamber of Commerce at Moore Counseling & Mediation Services, 22639 Euclid Ave., Euclid, Ohio on June 14 from 8:30-10 a.m. for an educational discussion. The workshop will be presented by Matthew Selker and Dr. Dale Hartz.
There is no cost to attend. Membership is not required.
Please RSVP to Jasmine Poston at 216-404-1900 or jposton@moorecounseling.com.
Bitesize Business Workshop: Financial Workshop for Small Businesses I
Join the Euclid Chamber of Commerce at Euclid Public Library, 631 E. 222nd St., Euclid, Ohio, on June 12 from 8:30-10 a.m. for an educational discussion. Are you thinking of starting a business? Or have you been in business for several years? If so, this workshop was designed for you. It will cover:
- Finances 101
- Startup expenses
- Cash vs. accrual accounting
- Separating personal and business expenses
- Budgets and financial planning
- Q&A session
There is no cost to attend. Membership is not required.
Please register here.
Waterloo Arts Juried Exhibition opening reception June 1

The annual Waterloo Arts Juried Exhibition is presented in partnership with Praxis Fiber Workshop and Brick Ceramic + Studio Design with artwork selected by 2018 Guest Juror Ray Juaire, senior exhibitions manager at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Cleveland. The work of 87 artists from the U.S. and Canada will be on display at Waterloo Arts, Praxis Fiber Workshop and Brick Ceramic + Design Studio. Awards are sponsored by Brick Ceramic + Design Studio, CAN Journal, Praxis Fiber Workshop, The Sculpture Garden, Waterloo Arts, and Zygote Press, Inc. Meet the 2018 juror and participating artists on June 1 from 6-9 p.m. during the districtwide opening reception at 15605 Waterloo Rd., Cleveland, featuring live music and light refreshments.
The show will run from June 1 to July 21, 2018.
Registration is open for youth summer arts camp on Waterloo Road
This summer, local nonprofit Waterloo Arts will be bringing back last year’s Round Robin summer arts camp. Waterloo Arts’ Board President Danielle Uva enrolled her two boys, 10 and 7, at the time in the camp last summer. Her children went to several camps that summer, but Round Robin she says, “was by far their favorite camp.” They found the time spent with professional artists in their own spaces and the galleries and studios around Waterloo where the camp is held to be intimate and, therefore, more engaging. The setup of the camp is such that students learn from professional artists about a new medium each day, such as ceramics or printing, and make a small project in the day’s medium. Continue reading Registration is open for youth summer arts camp on Waterloo Road
Community motorcycle garage owner invests in mobile shop for middle and high schoolers
(Q&A with Brian Schaffran, owner, Skidmark Garage, a community motorcycle garage)
When and why did you move back to Cleveland and buy your first motorcycle?
I moved back to Cleveland from Los Angeles in 2000 after going through a divorce and not being able to rent an apartment due to my abysmal credit. I was essentially homeless and moved from friend’s place to friend’s place for several months before biting the bullet and coming back home to live in my childhood bedroom and finish my teaching degree at CSU. On my way to school one morning in 2001, I spotted an old motorcycle for sale in some guy’s front yard. Like deep shag carpeting, it was 70’s ugly, but it beckoned. I had never owned a motorcycle up to that point, but for some reason I was drawn in immediately. I bought it, and because I knew nothing about it, I soon took it to the nearest Honda motorcycle dealer hoping to get it tuned up. Well, most dealerships won’t work on old bikes – and with good reason. When you fix something on an old bike, something else breaks soon afterward – something unrelated – and the timing of the next broken item points to the last person to work on it. So, a service department at a dealership begins losing its ass on having to fix and fix and fix because it all appears to be the dealership’s fault that things keep breaking. Continue reading Community motorcycle garage owner invests in mobile shop for middle and high schoolers
Euclid Chamber of Commerce Coffee Connections: location TBA
SAVE THE DATE! Join the Euclid Chamber of Commerce at a location to be announced in Euclid, Ohio, on June 26 at 8:30-9:30 a.m. EST for coffee and networking.
There is no cost to attend. Membership is not required.
Please register here.
HGR closed May 28, 2018, for Memorial Day
Fourth-generation metalworking shop works to generate student interest in manufacturing careers

In 1904, George Hewlett founded Cleveland Union Engineering Company in Cleveland’s Flats area. The company handled industrial metal manufacturing, welding, fabrication and steel erection. Hewlett’s daughter married John Geiger, who is the grandfather of the current owner, also John Geiger, and great-grandfather of Jake who also works for the company. In the 1920s, it began to develop and build equipment for the distillery and brewing industries to clean and pasturize milk jugs and beer bottles, hence a name change to Beverage Engineering. In the 1940s, it moved to its current location on Lakewood Heights Boulevard and transitioned its focus from beverage machines to machining for the war effort, and in 1957 it found its current incarnation as Beverage Machine & Fabricators, Inc. What do these changes signify? Adaptability! And, Beverage Machine has found its niche. Continue reading Fourth-generation metalworking shop works to generate student interest in manufacturing careers
HGR’s 2017 scholarship recipient gives an update on his first year of college
(Courtesy of Guest Blogger Connor Hoffman, HGR Industrial Surplus 2017 S.T.E.M. Scholarship recipient)
Since last August, I have been enrolled at the University of Cincinnati. During my time in college I have learned a lot both academically and about myself. It was difficult adjustment to live on my own and take responsibility for all aspects of my life. I didn’t have anyone to tell me to go to class, or when to do work or study. That meant I had to take it upon myself to schedule those tasks. Eventually, I got all that stuff figured out.
I also met a lot of new people during my time in college. I made friends with people from around both Ohio and America, and even people from other countries. It’s a big change, but a welcome one, to go somewhere that is so diverse. Another new experience was living with three other people. What I call “tennis shoes” they call “gym shoes,” which is pretty shocking.
Since I am pursuing a degree in Information Technology, I took a wide range of technology-related courses, such as database management, programing, networking, and information security. Since these classes are in a STEM field, they require problem-solving and analytical-thinking skills. Programming for example, allows for problems to be solved in a number of creative ways. Problem solving and troubleshooting also are useful in life, in addition to being helpful in STEM classes.
As part of my degree, I have to intern each summer at somewhere technology related. The job search was a long process, and I went to a lot of interviews, but, ultimately, this summer I will be working at Progressive Insurance as a help desk specialist. I am excited to get some real-world experience and to put my skills to the test.
HGR’s 2018 S.T.E.M. scholarship presented to Euclid High School senior

(Courtesy of Guest Blogger Tina Dick, HGR’s human resources manager)
On Thursday, May 10, 2018, HGR had the honor of presenting the 2018 HGR Industrial Surplus S.T.E.M. Scholarship to Evan Ritchey, a Euclid High School senior.
The $2,000 HGR S.T.E.M. Scholarship is awarded to students who have a desire to receive a higher education in a science, technology, engineering or math field.
Evan received his scholarship at the Senior Awards Dinner at the Irish American Club held to honor more than 300 Euclid students in grades 8-12. While students in grades 8-11 were awarded medals for academic excellence, graduating seniors received scholarships from more than 41 organizations.
Evan, who also received seven other scholarships, will be attending Cleveland State University where he will pursue a degree in electrical engineering.
Euclid Chamber of Commerce Coffee Connections at chamber’s new office
Join the Euclid Chamber of Commerce at its new offices, 20150 Lakeshore Blvd., Euclid, Ohio, on May 22 at 8:30 a.m. EST for coffee and networking.
There is no cost to attend. Membership is not required.
Please register here.
Retired Cleveland Institute of Art industrial design instructor finds inspiration at Euclid City Council meetings
(Courtesy of Guest Blogger Richard Fiorelli, artist and retired instructor)
How did you first become involved with Cleveland Institute of Art?
When I was in fourth grade, I received a scholarship from Euclid’s Upson Elementary School to attend Saturday children’s art classes at Cleveland Institute of Art.
What is your best memory of CIA?
In fourth grade I discovered that the art school had a candy machine and a 10:30 a.m. morning break from the strenuous task of creating children’s art. I was pretty much hooked from that moment on. Continue reading Retired Cleveland Institute of Art industrial design instructor finds inspiration at Euclid City Council meetings
2018 F*SHO at HGR Industrial Surplus
Back for a second time at HGR Industrial Surplus, but in a different space in the front of the building in our Incoming/Receiving area, we’ll be hosting Amanda and Jason Radcliffe’s F*SHO, a contemporary and industrial furniture design show, for one night on Sept. 14 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. It’s still free and put on courtesy of 44 Steel. There’s still beer and a DJ spinning some tunes. But, this year we will have a variety of food trucks so that the food doesn’t run out! Last year was such a success with more approximately 3,000 attendees that you won’t want to miss it. If you did, you can read about last year’s show here.
As more details become available, we’ll be posting them here on HGR’s blog and on our Facebook and Twitter sites. Stay tuned!
If you are interested in exhibiting at the show, contact Jason or Amanda at 44 Steel at info@44steel.com.
We’re having a raffle every day May 14-18 to celebrate our 20th anniversary!
HGR is giving away prizes worth $20,000 every day May 14-18 in 2019. You get one free ticket each day just for walking in the door! We also will have free food on THREE days that week for our customers (breakfast burritos on Monday, ribs on Wednesday, Philly cheesesteak on Friday). Come help us celebrate our 20th anniversary.
Euclid High School robotics team gives it their all in battle bot competition
(Courtesy of Guest Blogger Joe Powell, HGR’s graphic designer)
Euclid High School’s robotic team, The Untouchables, set out to improve on last year’s finish, and did they ever. On April 28, 2018, teams from all over Northeastern Ohio met to do battle at the AWT RoboBots Competition at Lakeland Community College. Continue reading Euclid High School robotics team gives it their all in battle bot competition
Euclid Chamber of Commerce Small Business Breakfast
On May 9, 2018, Euclid Public Library and the Euclid Chamber of Commerce are teaming up to show small businesses the roadmap to success at Euclid Public Library from 8:30-10 a.m.. Hear from experts about how to get the information and guidance you need to start or grow your business.
This is a FREE event but please register here.
Come celebrate HGR’s 20th anniversary!
Stained-glass company serves regional customers for more than 30 years
When you walk into the entry of Whitney Stained Glass where the uncut glass of every color is stored, it’s like entering a secret garden or the back, private, work area of a museum. There’s magic taking place, and things of beauty all around. The talent of the five full-time and two part-time employees is astounding. All have been with the company for at least five to six years. They make, restore, install and store stained glass windows and doors, as well as skylights, chandeliers, mosaics, lamps, backsplashes, and other unique restoration projects. The current and second owner, Pete Billington, says that working in the stained-glass business takes a specific skill set: drawing and illustration ability for new work, an understanding of geometry, handiness, having a good “eye,” attention to detail, construction ability, no fear of heights, carefulness, and the ability to lift and carry heavy objects. Continue reading Stained-glass company serves regional customers for more than 30 years
Goodbye pizza, hello cookout
You know summer’s right around the corner when HGR puts away the pizza for the year and brings out the BBQ grill for hamburgers and Italian sausage! May 2 will be our first cookout of 2018. We’ll be grilling every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for our customers through the beginning of October, weather permitting. If we’re rained out, then we’ll bring lunch inside and have pizza instead. We’ll be welcoming a new chef this year; so, make sure to let us know how he’s doing.
RoboBots battle bot competition is this weekend and FREE to the public
We’ll be there rooting on our team: Euclid High School’s Untouchables! They’ve got a mean machine this year. Come check it out.
Bitesize Business Workshop: Accessibility for Employers
Join the Euclid Chamber of Commerce at Services for Independent Living at 26250 Euclid Ave., Suite 801, Euclid, Ohio on Apr. 18 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. for an educational discussion. The last U.S. Census indicates that 20 percent of the U.S. population are people with disabilities, whether visible or invisible. The discussion will revolve around building a more diverse and inclusive work culture through the hiring of persons with disabilities. They will address myths regarding hiring people with disabilities, as well as what is required in terms of ADA, potential low-cost/no-csot accommodations, and basic disability etiquette. Time will be made to troubleshoot specific issues.
There is no cost to attend. Membership is not required.
Please register here.
AWT RoboBots sponsors support their team: Go Euclid High School Untouchables!
Euclid Chamber of Commerce Coffee Connections: Mount St. Joseph Rehab Center
Join the Euclid Chamber of Commerce at Mount St. Joseph Rehab Center, 21800 Chardon Rd., Euclid, Ohio, on Apr. 17 at 8:30 a.m. EST for coffee and pastry, networking and to meet the staff and tour the facility on its beautiful campus.
There is no cost to attend. Membership is not required.
Please register here.
Does STEM really matter?

(Courtesy of Guest Blogger Fran Stewart, Ph.D., author of The STEM Dilemma: Skills That Matter to Regions via The MPI Group)
Engineers are the world’s problem solvers, but will creating more of them fix what ails some regions?
Policymakers must think so.
The pursuit of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) degrees is no longer simply one of personal interest or professional ambition; it is now also considered an economic imperative and public priority for regions. Changes in the curricula (and even names) of local schools, as well as state and federal education spending, reflect a clear policy assumption: Local economies benefit when scientists make discoveries, engineers solve problems, and computer experts program solutions. The places that can attract or develop these professionals are seen as potential winners in today’s technology-driven economy. Continue reading Does STEM really matter?
RoboBots 2018: Save the date!
What type of employer is HGR? Buyer Spotlight with Brad Coates

When did you start with HGR and why?
My start date was October 2013. After several conversations with Brian Krueger, CEO, I felt HGR had a vision for the future and growth. I wanted to be a part of that. It was exciting to go into a territory that HGR hadn’t touched and make it my own. When I got the call from him, I was on my first day as a sales rep with Sysco. I told the guy I was in the car riding with what HGR does and offered me; he asked if we needed another buyer.
What is your territory, and what do you do on a daily basis?
I cover Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri. Mondays are my office day where I’m scheduling, following up on offers and getting ready for the week ahead. Tuesday through Friday, I’m on the road looking at deals. After a long day on the road, I work out, grab dinner then come a few hours on the computer.
Continue reading What type of employer is HGR? Buyer Spotlight with Brad Coates
Jewelry maker associates beautiful objects with taboo subjects in an effort to get people talking about mental health
(an interview with Colleen Terry, owner, Begin Again Jewelry)
How did your interest in creating jewelry begin?
I took my first jewelry class after receiving a medical treatment called electro-convulsive therapy to treat bipolar disorder. The treatment resulted in severe memory loss. I had previously been a pretty big geek, even earning an academic scholarship to Baldwin Wallace University. I prided myself on my nerdiness; however, without my memory, I went from having a 4.0 my first semester of college to getting Ds and Fs when I came back. My mom, an artist herself, recommended that I take an art class. So, I signed up for a jewelry-making class. I found comfort and renewed self-esteem in making things with my hands. I fell in love with the permanence of metal objects, and my passion grew from there.
Where did you receive your training?
After falling in love with jewelry making, I transferred from Baldwin Wallace to The Cleveland Institute of Art where I earned my BFA in jewelry and metals.
The “Our Mission” section of the website mentions a donation of 10 percent of each purchase to organizations near and dear to your personal story. What can you share about that story?
I started my business about a year ago. I was finding myself during a period of recovery. Three years ago I was smoking 2 and 1/2 packs of cigarettes, drinking 1/2 a liter of vodka and engaging in eating disorder behavior every day. In 2015, I found yoga. Within two months of beginning a regular practice, I was able to quit smoking, and one week later I quit drinking — both cold turkey and on my own. The eating disorder was the toughest to escape. Six month into yoga, I found the Emily Program Foundation, and, with their help, I became free of those behaviors for the first time in 20 years. As I began to find myself, I began to reexamine what I really wanted to be doing with my life, and I knew that part of that had to be making and another part had to be giving back and supporting others who had dealt with issues similar to mine and who were on the road to recovery. I also wanted to associate beautiful objects with taboo subjects in an effort to get people talking about mental health.
How did you create that business’ name?
Beginning again is what I am doing in my life and what I want to nurture and celebrate with my line and within the lives of the people I am able to touch with my jewelry, my cause and my philanthropy. It is also a yoga mantra that helped to change my life.
Where do you sell or market your products?
I am doing shows here and there and selling from my website primarily by word of mouth and social media.
How are the pieces made? Can you walk us through the process?
Typically, when it comes to designing my pieces I come to the bench with a general concept and then let my materials guide the rest of the process. I work primarily in 14k gold and sterling silver, and most of my work is hand fabricated. I do have a passion for CAD/CAM object-making and will likely be further incorporating this process within the line in the future.
What inspires your designs?
The symbolism and stones in my line all in some way represent hope, healing and rebirth in some facet. For example, some of the stones are known to facilitate calming and aid in meditation, and butterflies are a common symbol of rebirth.
What do you like to do when you are not designing and making jewelry?
I do a lot of yoga! I actually just earned my yoga teaching certificate and cannot wait to spread the love and healing with yoga and jewelry! I also treasure my time with family and friends.
Do you consider yourself a maker or a manufacturer and why?
I consider myself a maker because I am not mass producing and each piece is made with love, hope and gratitude.
What advice do you have for other makers?
Don’t be afraid to do what you love and share it with everyone!
Local businesses honored at Euclid Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Dinner

On Mar. 22, at the Irish American Club, Euclid, Ohio, members of the community, local businesses and dignitaries gathered for the annual chamber of commerce awards presentation. Attendees also were treated to a Taste of Euclid — food and drinks by local restaurants, including Great Scott Tavern, Muldoon’s, Euclid Culinary Bistro, fRed Hot, Mama Catena, Rascal House, Tizzano’s and others.
Eight awards were presented, including:
- Large Business of the Year: Lincoln Electric
- Small Business of the Year: Laparade Early Learning & Training Center
- Organization of the Year: Our Lady of the Lake Parish
- Organization of the Year: SS. Robert & William Parish
- Person of the Year: Officer Ed Bonchak
- Blue Stone Awards: Briardale Greens Golf Course, The Euclid Observer, and HGR Industrial Surplus
Former board members Cheryl Cameron of Action Carstar and Rich Lee of Euclid Hospital, as well as Brian Moore of Moore Counseling and Mediation Services (where the chamber was housed for many years) were also recognized for their service to the chamber.
Congratulations to all!
What type of employer is HGR? Buyer Spotlight with Adam DeAnseris
When did you start with HGR, and why?
April 2013 — I was looking for a position that would help strengthen my talents while advancing my career.
What is your territory, and what do you do on a daily basis?
New England — I meet with companies that are trying to sell their equipment and warehouse items. I explain who HGR Industrial Surplus is and how we can become a reliable resource that can provide a solution to their problem. I am negotiating deals on the offers I have made from the meetings I have gone on. I help provide accurate information for the logistics to get the equipment picked up in a timely manner.
What do you like most about your job?
The traveling and meeting new people while witnessing everyday products I use get manufactured.
What’s your greatest challenge?
Managing my time where I can get the most out of every day and buy as many deals as I can. Keeping the customer happy with our services while also buying smart and not overpaying for equipment.
What’s your most interesting moment at HGR?
There are many, but I have to say singing “Man Eater” by Hall and Oates in front of the HGR team was a pretty cool experience. P.S I have many more hits up my sleeve. Encore anyone???
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
Watching any sport, playing cards with friends and spending time with my family. I have two older brothers, four nieces and two nephews. I also have a four-month-old who keeps me pretty busy!
Who is your hero or greatest influence/inspiration, and why?
I’d have to say my grandparents because they raised my parents to be great role models, and this has helped my brothers and me to be the best that we can for our families.
Anything I missed that you want everyone to know?
I recently won a local poker tournament by beating out 75 people. I love all types of music, and I used to help my friend DJ a lot of weddings and special occasions.
LCCC works with manufacturers to create apprenticeship programs
On Mar. 20, a group of educators, manufacturers, state liaisons and manufacturing nonprofits met at Lorain County Community College for its “Power of Apprenticeship” conference. Keynote Speaker Denise Ball of Tooling U-SME gave an enlightening presentation on the Zs and Millennials, our future workforce, and how communicate effectively with them in order to attract and retain new talent as well as the need for intergenerational training. Chrissy Cooney, outreach specialist for LCCC, presented an industry panel via video that included a manufacturing company, an apprenticeship trainer at that company and two apprentices in the program. She also presented an overview of how a state-registered apprenticeship program works, including the $2,500 stipend for employers participating in the program. For more information about the Z and Millennial generations or to receive a whitepaper on the topic of the Millennials, contact Denise Ball of Tooling U at 866.706.8665. For information about LCCC’s assistance with an apprenticeship program, contact Tammy Jenkins at 440.366.4833 or Chrissy Cooney at 440.366.4325.
City of Euclid accepts proposals from potential buyers for buildings
The City of Euclid is accepting proposals from potential buyers for the buildings at 19770 St. Clair Ave. They would be a perfect fit for a small manufacturer/maker that also wants a retail storefront. For more information and to submit a proposal, click here.
Local man to open bike shop in Euclid, Ohio
(Courtesy of Guest Blogger Duane Mierzejewski, owner, Bananas for Bikes)
I grew up and was raised right here off East 185th St., East Park Dr. and Windward Ave. At the age of 23, I moved away to the southeast side of Cleveland for 15 years to Slavic Village. Following that, I spent 15 years raising my children in Richfield. Personal reasons brought me back to Euclid in 2011.
I have always loved cycling — starting as a tourist then moving to long-distance riding and competitions. The 90s saw me move to commuting to work by bicycle for fun and fitness. Since I’ve moved back to Euclid, I just ride for fun and leisure, to stop and smell the roses. In 2014, I became hooked on the collection and restoration of old, vintage bicycles from the 50s, 60s and 70s. I continued to grow a nice collection of bikes and friends through various organizations and bicycle shows/swap meets. All the while, I bought, sold, traded and donated bikes from my home on Craigslist and eBay.
This past fall, I decided to go all in/full go on opening a storefront/shop right here in Downtown Euclid at 21936 Lake Shore Blvd. I have watched the area for a few years and realized that there is really nothing around here that fits my niche as an old-school bike shop. Why not? Euclid has not had any store/shop-related bike stuff for 25 years. I have a passion and a gut feeling that this may work – a place where anyone can come in, enjoy a slice of nostalgia, maybe purchase an older, vintage bicycle, browse around at a museum that have planned for the basement area. I will not sell new bicycles, but recent to much older, vintage bikes that have been refurbished and made rideable — and at a better cost than buying some junk at a big-box store. Styles will include BMX, Muscle, Single, 3-speed, 5-speed and 10-speed Cruisers with 18-, 20-, 24-, 26- and 27-inch wheel sizes.
Also, I intend to have a fully operating repair service for many bikes, but probably not the very high-end ones. I will carry a complete line of parts, accessories such as helmets, tubes, tires, handlebars, seats, water bottles, etc. The shop will be a start location to gather for rides, events such as the Euclid Art Walk, the Memorial Day Parade, and local bike ride – heck, even Bike Euclid Events. We have ample parking in back and along Lake Shore Blvd. The location should help and benefit many, especially with the expanded bike lanes and the Lakefront Renovation. I may even introduce rental of older, vintage bicycles for out-of-town visitors or for anyone who may want to ride a bicycle they had as a child 30 to 40 years ago.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
LCCC hosts “The Power of Apprenticeship” event
Click here to register for Lorain County Community College’s “The Power of Apprenticeships” event on Mar. 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m at LCCC’s Spitzer Center Room 117/118 at 1005 N. Abbe Rd., Elyria, Ohio. Here’s the agenda. All manufacturers are welcome! You should attend if you are interested in a state-registered apprenticeship program that helps employers upskill incumbent workers and allows them to hire unskilled workers who will become highly skilled workers. HGR Industrial Surplus will be there.
8:30 – 9 a.m. – Breakfast and Networking
9:00 a. m. – Welcome
9:05 – 10 a.m. – Keynote Speaker
- Denise Ball of Tooling U-SME,
“Z’s & Millennials – Your Future Workforce”
10:00 – 10:15 a. m. – What Industry has to Say?
- Introduction of Apprentice Ohio team:
- Erich Hetzel – Apprenticeship Service Provider
- Georgianna Lowe – Field Operations Supervisor
10:15 – 10:30 a.m. – Break; Snacks and Beverages
10:30 – 11:30 a.m. – Learn how a Registered Apprenticeship Program works
11:30 a.m. – 12 noon – Q & A
City of Euclid Annual Awards Dinner featuring a Taste of Euclid
Join the Euclid Chamber of Commerce at the Irish-American Club, 22770 Lakeshore Blvd., Euclid, Ohio, on Mar. 22 from 5:30-9:30 p.m. for the annual awards evening. Celebrate the businesses and people of the year and sample food from the best chefs in town.
And, if that’s not exciting enough, HGR Industrial Surplus has been selected as one of the chamber’s 2017 award winners! Each winner will receive an award and a commendation from state officials in attendance.
Please register here.
Bitesize Business Workshop: Accessibility for Customers
Join the Euclid Chamber of Commerce at Services for Independent Living at 26250 Euclid Ave., Suite 801, Euclid, Ohio on Mar. 19 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. for an educational discussion. The last U.S. Census indicates that 20 percent of the U.S. population are people with disabilities, whether visible or invisible. By ensuring your business is accessible, you have the opportunity to increase your customer base. They will discuss easy ways to maximize the accessibility of your business and offer suggestions on making your business practices inclusive.
There is no cost to attend. Membership is not required.
Please register here.
Our friends from owwm.org paid us a visit on Saturday!
If you love woodworking but haven’t joined the Old Woodworking Machines forum, you’re missing out on great information and amazing camaraderie. A group of friends from OWWMs came from near and far to meet up in person and pay us a visit on Saturday, Mar. 10. Thanks for stopping by, friends, and hope to see you again soon!





Euclid Chamber of Commerce Coffee Connections: Euclid Public Library
Join the Euclid Chamber of Commerce for coffee, pastry, networking and a tour and to learn more about the many resources available for businesses–searchable databases of businesses, legal forms, grants, and many other tools you may be surprised to learn are available for free.
The event is free of charge and takes place on Mar. 13 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at 631 E. 222nd St., Euclid, Ohio.
Time for a revolution
(Courtesy of Guest Blogger Alex Pendleton, Big Ideas for Small Companies powered by the MPI Group)
How’s your Change Initiative going? Are you having fun yet?
I’m guessing you answered, “No!”
Why? Because bringing major change to any organization is a tough assignment. Entrenched people, and ideas and habits favor the status quo, and even when that status quo is no longer working, the response of the organization is typically to just give the problem more time. “This too shall pass,” everyone says. “We’ve been through rough times before, and this is no different. What worked then will work now.”
But sometimes it IS different. Sometimes, the organization has quietly aged in place while the world around it has changed to the point that what worked before will NOT work now. Sometimes, what’s needed is a revolution.
For some time, I’ve been involved with two organizations – a manufacturing company and a non-profit – both of which have faced this dilemma, and it fascinates me how much these very different organizations have in common
The manufacturing company was living in the past. It had a dominant position in a niche market, but that market had been slowly shrinking for decades, to the point that the 70-year-old factory was badly underutilized and the fixed overhead was being carried by a smaller and smaller base of business. The aging workforce was resistant to change (there was a sign in the foreman’s office reading “When pigs fly,” evidence of his disdain for any new ideas), and rejection of modern manufacturing methods made it impossible to find customers for new work. The necessary changes all required various certifications, but that was regarded as nonsense, a waste of time and money. An attitude of “we’ve always done it this way” prevailed. Once, they cleaned up the place for a customer visit, and were proud of the result. “The place looks great,” they told themselves — but it didn’t. It looked RELATIVELY good, better than it had in years, but of course the customer saw it in the context of a wider world, and to him it looked ABSOLUTELY awful.
The non-profit organization was also well-established and had been in the same location for most of its life. Decades before, they had made a major investment in upgrading their facility, but by now it was obsolete, and the city had grown away from it, leaving it isolated. However, entrenched board members had fond memories of past greatness, and they were determined that the drop-off in interest and financial support was only temporary. It wasn’t. Before long, they faced an existential crisis.
The solutions to these two problems were similar. In both cases, new leadership was brought in and changes were basically forced upon the organizations.
In the manufacturing company, the factory was substantially overhauled and modernized, quality certifications were obtained, and new markets opened up. A lot of people left (mostly by retirement – over a few years the average tenure dropped from 35 years to eight!), and those who stayed were given extensive training.
In the non-profit organization, a new leader was brought in. He had an abrasive personality and seemed hell-bent on offending all of the existing supporters, starting with the largest donors. But by the time the crisis arrived, he had succeeded in persuading a majority of the board that major change was necessary. Ultimately, they sold their building, collaborated with a couple of other organizations, raised millions of dollars, and moved to the city’s thriving downtown.
Looking back on these two sagas, it’s striking how different the picture looks than it did when we were living in daily crisis. In both cases, the consuming issues dealt with people — in one case, trying to get established employees to accept change; in the other, trying to temper the new leader’s troubling management style.
In the manufacturing company, the change was generational. A new, young leader had the vision and the skills needed to move the company forward, but members of the executive team – even new hires – struggled to perform. Operations went through five leaders in as many years before finding the right person, and the sales department went through two. Looking back on board meetings in those transitional years, it’s amazing how much effort went into trying to salvage the wrong person in the job and how quickly things improved when the right person finally arrived. There’s an important lesson there about insisting on top quality in people and not settling for anything less. Peter Schutz, a former leader of Porsche, always advised people to hire slowly and fire quickly. That’s good advice, albeit easier said than done. Once you’ve filled a critical position, it’s difficult to believe that backing up and starting over will be easier than trying to fix what you’ve got — but in retrospect it’s usually a good idea.
In the non-profit organization, the resolution was simpler, though no less painful. We ultimately realized that we had gotten from our exasperating leader all that we could — his revolution was already in motion — and all he had left to offer was his difficult personality. It was time to end the constant conflict and move forward. The new executive is an extraordinary leader and has the enthusiastic support of the entire staff and board. There still are problems, of course – non-profit organizations always face challenges — but the replacement of conflict with collaboration has resulted in a great place to do great work, and exciting innovation has ensued.
In both cases, I wonder if the rosy present would have been possible without the turbulent past. Revolution is frequently necessary, and almost always difficult and unpleasant; but I think it’s important to recognize that difficulty and unpleasantness don’t have to be new long-term realities, but can instead be short-term growth phases. So if your situation needs a revolution – and sooner or later it probably will – realize that it’s likely to be difficult and unpleasant, and that it’s possible that the right team to start a revolution may not be the right team to finish it. What is certain, though, is that once your revolution has succeeded, you’ll have a vast improvement over the status quo.
At least until the next revolution.
Bitesize Business Workshop: Laughter in the Workforce
Join the Euclid Chamber of Commerce at Moore Counseling & Mediation Services at 22639 Euclid Ave,, Euclid, Ohio on Mar. 8 from 8:30-10 a.m. for an educational discussion. Matthew Selker and Dr. Dale Hartz will present a workshop on “Laughter in the Workforce.”
There is no cost to attend. Membership is not required.
Please register with Jasmine Poston at 216.404.1900 or jposton@moorecounseling.com.
Euclid Works Expo & Job Fair
Join the Euclid Chamber of Commerce at Euclid High School, 711 E. 222nd St., Euclid, Ohio, on Mar. 8 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. as they spend the day helping to develop our future workforce, while also meeting potential candidates available for immediate hire. Give local students a first-hand look at viable career opportunities. Then the doors will open to the public for a job fair.
Timeline:
Manufacturer set-up: 9:30-10:15 a.m.
Students EXPO: 10:28 a.m.- 1:17 p.m.
Break: 1:20 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.
Job Fair: 2:30 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. (open to the public)
Manufacturer Registration:
$100 per 6-foot table
10% off registration and sponsorship for all Euclid Chamber of Commerce members
Sponsorship:
- Presenting Sponsor- Euclid Chamber of Commerce
- Gold- $750 (table and registration included)
- Logo on website (with link to website)
- Logo on advertisement for afternoon Job Fair
- Social Media recognition (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)
- City, Schools, Library, and Chamber recognition on websites
- Silver -$500 (table and registration included)
- Logo on website (with link to website)
- Logo on advertisement for afternoon Job Fair
- Social Media recognition (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)
- Bronze- $250 (table and registration included)
- Social Media recognition (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)
- City, Schools, Library, and Chamber recognition on websites
STUDENT EXPO
Engaging and hands-on activities or demonstrations to entice the student population. You are welcomed to bring materials/giveaways for both the student expo and job fair.
Please register here.
Euclid plant manufactures components for naval nuclear reactors

(An interview with Doug Paulson, general manager, BWX Technologies, Euclid, Ohio)
Tell me about how your business started.
BWX Technologies, Inc. (BWXT) traces its history all the way back to the 1850s when Stephen Wilcox patented the water tube boiler. Almost 100 years later, with the advent of nuclear energy, our expertise in the power generation business put us at the forefront of commercial and government nuclear industries. Operating for many years as the Babcock & Wilcox Company, we spun off our power generation business in 2015 to allow BWXT to focus on government and nuclear operations.
Why was the decision made to locate in Euclid?
BWXT purchased the Euclid operations from an offshoot of TRW in 2007. TRW’s predecessors have been in the Cleveland area since the early 1900s and here on Euclid Avenue since before World War II.
How are the products that you manufacture used?
BWXT’s Euclid site manufactures electro-mechanical components for naval nuclear reactors used in submarines and aircraft carriers.
For more than 60 years, the Navy’s submarines and aircraft carriers have safely steamed millions of miles using components manufactured by BWXT Nuclear Operations Group facilities – a track record that is highlighted by our commitment to safety, quality and integrity.
How many employees work in the facility in Euclid, and what kind of skilled labor do you hire?
About 350 employees work at our Euclid facility. Due to the high-consequence nature of our products, most of our employees are considered to be highly skilled. We employ machinists, welders, inspectors, engineers and a variety of professional support staff.
Are there ways that the company participates in the community?
We support the community through sponsorship of Euclid Chamber of Commerce events and contribute to a number of deserving charitable organizations in the community such as the United Way.
What do you think is the biggest challenge that manufacturing currently faces?
The retirement of the older generation of trade workers has, in many cases, left manufacturers with more openings than there are qualified and available employees. This is exacerbated by generally low unemployment. We have an advantage in that our factories have industry-leading safety records and that our work is especially meaningful. Our employees take tremendous pride in the fact that our products keep our sailors and our nation safe. These jobs pay well and do not require tens of thousands of dollars in student loans, so attitudes about trades and technical careers are changing quickly. Our schools and community colleges are helping us narrow the gap.
What does the future of manufacturing, especially in Northeast Ohio, look like?
We can only speak for ourselves. This is an exciting time to work for BWXT. BWXT’s Nuclear Operations Group, which includes our Euclid and Barberton manufacturing facilities, has reported record revenues each quarter for the last few years. The Nuclear Operations Group had a backlog of nearly $3 billion at the end of September. Our fourth quarter and full-year 2017 results are scheduled to be announced Feb. 28, 2018.
What inspires you?
Our products enable our sailors to carry out their mission to keep our nation safe. We keep those customers in the forefront of our minds in everything we do.
Are there interesting facts about you or your business that most people don’t know?
In August 2017, NASA awarded the company an $18.8 million contract to start designing a Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) reactor in support of a possible future manned mission to Mars. With NTP technology’s high-energy density and resulting spacecraft thrust, NASA is projecting up to a 50 percent reduction in interplanetary travel times compared to chemical rockets, significantly increasing the crew’s safety by reducing exposure to cosmic radiation.

Kiddie City Child Care Community hosts annual fundraiser
HGR loves to support the Euclid community. If you live or work in the community, you might be interested in attending a comedy show and Chinese auction on Apr. 14 at Kiddie City, 280 E. 206th Street, Euclid, Ohio. The show starts at 7:30 p.m. with three local comedians. Snacks, beer, wine, pop and water will be included. It’s only $27 per person or $52 per couple and is tax deductible since it’s a fundraiser for Kiddie City, a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit in Euclid since 2006. This fundraiser occurs so that Kiddie City can continue to create a lifelong love of learning for children in its teachers’ care.
Jennifer Boger, Kiddie City’s director, says, “We’ve been doing this fundraiser for 11 years now to supplement summer programming for families in order to do enhancement and enrichment activities for the children that parents don’t need to pay for out of pocket since 80% of students are using childcare subsidy for lower-income families.”
For tickets, contact Kiddie City at 216-481-9044.
Euclid mayor recaps 2017 and looks ahead to 2018
On Feb. 22, Euclid Mayor Gail addressed members of the chamber, local businesses and the community over lunch at the Irish-American Club. The mayor introduced two tables of city employees in attendance then shared her commitment statement to provide Euclid residents and businesses with “the best services in a cost-effective and innovative manner.” She said there are three themes that consistently surface in her work with the city: investment, resilience and innovation.
She spoke mainly about investment, including the new Amazon fulfillment center, other new businesses, and business and school expansions. She mentioned the recently created master plan and its goals for residents, businesses and infrastructure: stay, prosper, play, connect, engage and preserve. Finally, the mayor acknowledged the investment in safety by the police and fire departments. The police department received many prestigious safety awards for its work in 2017 and responded to 43,471 calls, while the fire department answered 10,825 fire and EMS calls.
The mayor closed the luncheon by looking forward toward more investment, resilience and innovation in 2018.
Bitesize Business Workshop: Financial Workshop for Small Businesses I
Join the Euclid Chamber of Commerce at its offices at 20150 Lakeshore Blvd, Euclid, Ohio on Feb. 27 from 8:30-10 a.m. for an educational discussion. Are you thinking of starting a business? Or have been you in business for several years? If so, this workshop will cover:
- Finances 101
- Startup Expenses
- Cash vs. Accrual Accounting
- Separating personal and business expenses
- Budgets and financial planning
- Q&A session
There is no cost to attend. Membership is not required.
Please register here.
Lowering your tax bill for business webinar
Join the Euclid Chamber of Commerce online on Feb. 27 either at 11-11:30 a.m. EST or 4-4:30 p.m. EST as it hosts Bruce Jones, president of B.A. Jones Insurance Agency, and David Crowley, principal advisor at Financial Gravity, as they help businesses to lower their taxes by 10-30 percent and increase their bottom line.
There is no cost to attend. Membership is not required.
Please register here for the 11 a.m. session and here for the 4 p.m. session.
Annual state of the city luncheon
Join The Euclid Chamber of Commerce on Feb. 22 at noon at The Irish-American Club, 22770 Lakeshore Blvd., Euclid, Ohio, for lunch as Mayor Gail presents her annual State of the City Address. Q&A session will follow the presentation.
Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Lunch will be served at 12 p.m.
Tickets:
$25 members / $30 guests
Members may purchase a reserved table of 6 for $140
Sponsorship Package $300: Includes reserved table of 6 with premier seating, special mention during announcements, opportunity to hand out promotional materials, and logo on event signage.
Please register here.
Help us celebrate our 20th anniversary!
Bitesize Business Workshop: Accessibility for Employers
Join the Euclid Chamber of Commerce at Services for Independent Living at 26250 Euclid Avenue, Suite 801, Euclid, Ohio on Feb. 21 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. for an educational discussion that will revolve around building a more diverse and inclusive work culture through the hiring of persons with disabilities. They will address myths regarding hiring people with disabilities as well as what is required in terms of the ADA, potential low cost/no cost accommodations and basic disability etiquette. Time will be made to troubleshoot specific issues. No cost to attend. Membership not required.
Please register here.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
HGR has a lot of valentines because we ♥ our customers!
What type of employer is HGR? Q&A with the Call Center
(Courtesy of Guest Blogger Cynthia Vassaur, HGR’s call center manager)
What does your department do?
The HGR Call Center contacts manufacturing and distribution companies to determine if they are in possession of equipment available for sale. We leverage our client relationship management (CRM) software to access vendor contact information. Once a client has been contacted, CRM is updated with critical data stemming from the call. HGR’s Call Center averages 1,500 call actions per day that result in approximately 35 viable “buy leads” for the company.
The Call Center’s ability to meet its daily call volume and quality interaction goals is critical to HGR’s overall success. To do this, an extremely structured performance matrix has been designed, and agents must employ a disciplined approach to comply with minimum standards. Team-building exercises, morale-boosting contests, and departmental lunches are conducted on a regular basis to promote a positive work environment. However, at the end of the day, employees realize that team and individual success in the Call Center are driven by consistently completing a high volume of top quality client interactions. As a result, a typical “day in the life” of the HGR Call Center involves motivated and disciplined staff “doing their thing” over the phone in order to generate business.
How many people work in your department, and what are their roles?
The Call Center employs 13 full-time employees. Cynthia Vassaur, call center manager, oversees personnel and general operations functions. Dax Taruc is in charge of researching and responding to incoming calls from vendors interested in selling equipment and ensures the client database is regularly updated with the most current information. The department also contains Preferred Vendor Administrators Larry Edwards, Joe McAfee, Levit Hernandez and Kim Girnus tasked with reaching out to vendors from whom HGR has purchased, or attempted to purchase, equipment in the past. Their primary focus is maintaining and enhancing HGR’s relationship with this critical segment of clientele. Finally, there are seven marketing administrators — Cameron Luddington, Ludie Toles, Obed Montejano, Theresa Bailey, Jackie McDonald, Kaylie Foster and Quanton Williams – who are responsible for contacting potential vendors. In doing so, they attempt to market HGR, brand the HGR name, and promote HGR’s service.
What qualifications do you need to be successful in your department?
Each MA makes about 150 calls a day, never knowing the end result of each interaction. For an individual to meet the daily demands and goals inherent with the position, he or she must have excellent computer skills and be a self-starter who is capable of communicating with people of varying backgrounds.
What do you like most about your department?
We have a great team! The department is comprised of individuals with diverse backgrounds, which results in an interesting array of perspectives, opinions, and solutions. At the same time, each member demonstrates a respectful and accepting attitude toward teammates. While there are numerous characteristics that I appreciate about the HGR Call Center work environment, the inviting and inclusive attitude of the staff stands out.
What challenges has your department faced and how have you overcome them?
The HGR Call Center’s greatest challenge has been attracting and retaining quality employees. Because Austin is such a wonderful place to live, many corporations have flocked to the area during the last couple of decades to set up shop. The resulting competition for pay, benefits, and perks has presented an obstacle to our hiring objectives. To combat that challenge, the department has worked closely with HGR’s Human Resources Department to create an employee profile aimed at attracting the right people for the position. This job profile refinement produced instantaneous results, with the department landing Cameron Luddington, Kim Girnus and several others shortly after its inception, and we are confident the department will continue reaping the benefits of those efforts.
What changes in the way your department does business have occurred in the past few years?
By far, the most impactful change during the last few years in the way the Call Center does business has been the agent pay structure modifications. In short, Call Center agents’ compensation is merit-based — hinging on call volume and a multitude of quality control call grading elements. The overall Call Center performance has dramatically improved as a result of this restructured approach to agent compensation. The harder an agent works, and the more attention to detail that agent exhibits, the more money that agent makes. Motivated agents eager to earn more money today than they did yesterday thrive in this environment.
What continuous improvement processes do you hope to implement in the future?
The major process improvement initiative we hope to initiate in the near future involves streamlining the process for adding new vendors to CRM. There are some strategies set for implementation that we hope will result in a higher number of vendors being routinely added to the database at a much higher rate than current levels.
What is HGR’s overall environment like?
HGR is “THE PLACE” to work! The grassroots culture of the business is positive and infectious; it spreads like wildfire to the new hires. HGR’s environment suits those with a strong work ethic, a desire to achieve team and individual goals, and who are genuinely vested in the HGR mission.
What is your perspective on manufacturing, surplus, investment recovery/product life cycle/equipment recycling?
Before I started working at HGR, I hadn’t really worked in or around the manufacturing industry. But in the last few years, I’ve come to recognize the value of HGR’s services and the affect it has on small and large businesses alike.
Lowering your tax bill for business webinar
Join the Euclid Chamber of Commerce online on Feb. 15 either at 11-11:30 a.m. EST or 4-4:30 p.m. EST as it hosts Bruce Jones, president of B.A. Jones Insurance Agency, and David Crowley, principal advisor at Financial Gravity, as they help businesses to lower their taxes by 10-30 percent and increase their bottom line.
There is no cost to attend. Membership is not required.
Please register here for the 11 a.m. session and here for the 4 p.m. session.
Euclid Chamber of Commerce Coffee Connections: Services for Independent Living
Join the Euclid Chamber of Commerce for coffee, pastry, networking and a tour of this local agency charged with helping and empowering individuals with disabilities to lead healthy, productive lives.
The event is free of charge and takes place on Feb. 13 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at 26250 Euclid Ave., Suite 801.
Act and audit
(Courtesy of Guest Blogger George Taninecz, VP of research, The MPI Group)
Did you make any plans for change in 2018?
Even this early in the year , many such goals and resolutions have already been abandoned. Or, at least, they’re at severe risk of being discarded. These failures are often not due to lack of desire. Most people who make resolutions do so earnestly, trying in some way to improve their lives, careers, personalities, or communities.
And yet why is it so tough to stick with our resolutions?
One reason is that we often embark on unguided resolutions. We lack the mechanisms to measure and monitor our progress toward our end goal. We strive for a marathon without running a mile. Even the most ambitious resolution has a fighting chance if accompanied by a system to break it down into incremental actions and outcomes.
To achieve a year-end result (usually some form of a lag measure tallied at the close of the year), we need intermediary metronomes to keep us pacing toward the sought-after ending (lead measures). If we’re looking to lose weight, our weekly frequency of exercise and daily intake of calories will likely predict the 12-month outcome long before the new year rolls around.
For example, I’ve dabbled in watercolors for decades and have a drawer of unfinished (and unappealing) paintings to prove it. When I told my friend Jack, a distinguished painter, about my inability to finish a work, he matter-of-factly said that I need to practice finishing. So, with a resolution to improve as a watercolorist, my plan is to finish a painting twice a month. With each finished painting, I should move closer to reaching my resolution.
Some improvements and some resolutions may only require a “just do it” approach — you don’t need a future-state map to put out a fire — but most require time and long-term effort. Here, we can take a cue from lean practitioners.
When pursuing strategic goals, lean organizations establish routine monitoring throughout their operations to understand lead performances on an hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis. With a regularly scheduled cascade of meetings up and down the organization, teams share and review this information, take corrective actions if necessary, and escalate problems beyond their control up to the next tier of meetings. It is an endless whirl of many connected PDCA cycles (plan/do/check/adjust) that keep all aligned on the end goals. These companies may not always achieve their yearly targets, but they’re rarely surprised when they don’t. We, too, can regularly review progress, as well as engage others in helping us to achieve our goals.
We also can’t underestimate the need to actually do something: merely tracking our path toward progress won’t cut it. In order to accomplish a goal or in some way change our behaviors, we also have to act. This necessary cycle of actions, audits, and outcomes reminded me of a homily I heard decades ago: A parishioner prays weekly to God to win the lottery. After years of disappointment and winless, he lashes out and asks why God would refuse him. The voice comes: “You need to buy a lottery ticket.”
If we regularly buy a ticket — i.e., do the work to change — and have the means to periodically check the results, we at least have a chance to win with our resolutions.
A day of music at the Lake Erie Folk Fest
Amazon brings 1,000 jobs to Northeast Ohio
On Jan. 31, a full house was gathered at Tizzano’s Party Center to hear the Euclid Chamber of Commerce’s presentation of “The Amazon Story” that included Amazon’s plan to tear down the former Euclid Square Mall and build a 655,000-square-foot, $175-million fulfillment center, which will add 1,000 new jobs to the region.
Euclid Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer Gail mentioned that the initial meeting in March 2017 at Cuyahoga Community College to discuss the project was the most memorable day during her time as mayor. After that initial meeting, there were ongoing efforts to rezone the property and to secure $1.2 million from the Ohio Department of Transportation toward roadway improvements.
The next speaker, Matt Deptola of JobsOhio, a nonprofit corporation that promotes job creation and economic development for Ohio, shared his organization’s enthusiasm about the reputation of Ohio as a great place to live, according to Forbes and other magazines. He also shared some interesting statistics about Amazon. It currently transfers items from its regional fulfillment centers to a nearby sortation facility to a shipping facility within seven hours. Currently, Amazon has a sortation facility in Twinsburg and a shipping facility in Euclid; so, the fulfillment center in Euclid makes perfect sense. Amazon currently employs 6,000 people in Ohio. Additionally, Amazon offers $12,000 of tuition reimbursement for training in high-demand fields after one year of employment, benefits on Day 1, and an average hourly rate of $13.
Pete DiSalvo with DiSalvo Development Advisors was the final speaker before the mayor returned to the mic to share that Amazon already has made a commitment to the community by giving $10,000 to the HELP Foundation, a Euclid business that empowers individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through residential, day support, vocational, and summer education programs.
Be there to hear the 2018 NEO Manufacturing Survey results
Join other manufacturers on Feb. 14, 2018, from 8-9:30 a.m. at Crown Plaza Cleveland South – Independence when MAGNET: Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network unveils its 2018 Northeast Ohio Manufacturing Survey Results.
More than 400 manufacturing companies submitted more than 450 responses, and the results are in. MAGNET and its partners – Bank of America, Skoda Minotti, WIRE-Net and Oswald Companies – will break down the results of the survey over breakfast.
We’ll be there! Will you? Register here.
A lot can change in 10 years
(Courtesy of Guest Blogger Alec Pendleton, Big Ideas for Small Companies, powered by The MPI Group)
The iPhone was introduced 10 years ago, in 2007—or MMVII, as the Romans would have said. In celebration of that anniversary, Apple has just introduced its latest model, the X—or 10, as we would write it. While pondering this milestone, I realized that 10 years ago, I had no clue that the iPhone was coming, and once it did, I didn’t even begin to understand its implications. And not just the iPhone — but the hundreds of other changes that have transformed both the way we operate our businesses and how we live.
In 2007, Amazon was mostly in the book business and had just introduced the Kindle. Twitter was in its infancy. Airbnb didn’t exist. Tesla made a quirky little sports car. Facebook had about 100,000 business pages. Newspapers were profitable (well, sort of). I had a camera! If I wanted to deposit a check, I had to take or mail it to the bank; to pay a bill, I had to write a check. Buying a used car was a risky business.
Ten years later: Recent purchases from Amazon by my family include dental floss, office supplies, textbooks, a security system, and a hammock. We have a president who got where he is by tweeting. Millions of people pay to sleep in strangers’ guest rooms every night. Tesla can’t build its fancy electric sedans fast enough. Facebook now has more than 65 million business pages, and Internet advertising has taken (almost) all the profit out of the newspaper business. My camera is now in my phone, and I can deposit a check by taking a picture of it; I haven’t written a paper check in months. Even at the outdoor farmers’ market in our neighborhood, I can buy groceries with a credit card, which the Amish farmer scans with a tiny device on his phone. And a few months ago, I almost bought a used car until my daughter discovered – on her phone – that it had been in an accident a couple of years prior.
This is all amazing stuff. It and much more have made us happier and more productive, by allowing us to escape a lot of drudgery. It’s wonderful! But if you’re a retailer, or in the newspaper business, or in countless other fields impacted by these technologies, there’s also been a significant downside. Massive change means massive disruption, made all the worse because it was unforeseen by most of those who were damaged by it. Retailers and newspapers, for example, were caught unawares, and thousands of jobs were lost. It seems unlikely that former journalists and store managers are making ends meet by renting out their guest rooms.
So we must ask, what about the NEXT 10 years? What crazy, unimaginable new technologies will disrupt your business or your life? More importantly, what can you do about it?
I have a manufacturing company. If 10 years from now everyone has a 3-D printer, can I just transmit an e-file to my customer, allowing him to print my product for himself?
The possibilities are endless.
So how do we prepare? I’m not convinced that becoming an early adopter is the answer. All of these amazing success stories rest atop a much greater number of failures. Instead, I think the better course will be to focus on fully leveraging new technologies after they’re reasonably well established. The opportunities from last decade’s progress are still far from fully exploited; for example, there are many ways to deploy Apple or Amazon or Google technologies — or even our phones — to improve our businesses and lives that most of us still don’t use.
I also don’t think that guessing what comes next is a good strategy, because it encourages trying to time your investments — and few of us are smart or lucky enough to get it right. Get in too early and you’re often distracted, discouraged, or just plain wrong. Get in too late and you’ve missed the chance to seize opportunities or avoid threats. Perhaps the best approach is watchful waiting, with test investments of time and cash to embrace new technologies without being smothered by them.
That’s my plan for amazing change, anyway. What’s yours?
Alec Pendleton took control of a small, struggling family business in Akron, Ohio, at an early age. Upon taking the helm, he sold off the unprofitable divisions and rebuilt the factory, which helped to quadruple sales of the remaining division within seven years. These decisions — and the thousands of others he made over his time as president and CEO — ensured that his small manufacturing business thrived and stayed profitable for the generation to come. The culmination of a lifetime of experience, accumulated wisdom, and a no-nonsense approach to looking at the books allows him to provide a unique perspective on Big Ideas for Small Companies.
She became the face of a movement
Anyone who works in manufacturing and those who haven’t are familiar with Rosie the Riveter, but how many know what she stands for or that the original “Rosie” just passed away?
During World War II she was the symbol of the women who worked in factories to take the place of men who had gone to serve. Often, these women were the ones manufacturing war supplies and munitions. She became the face of the women’s movement and feminism in The United States.
At age 96, Naomi Parker Fraley, a California waitress and the likely inspiration for the Rosie the Riveter poster, passed away on Jan. 20, 2018.


Local paint and coatings manufacturer is “the official paint” of the NHL
(Courtesy of Guest Blogger Jim Priddy, PPG plant manager, Euclid, Ohio)
When was the company or division founded, by whom and why?
PPG was founded in 1883 by Capt. John B. Ford and John Pitcairn in Creighton, Pa. Since then, we have maintained our commitment to innovation and quality products and have shifted our portfolio to focus on paint, coatings and specialty products. PPG coats the planes you fly in, the cars you drive, the mobile devices you use and the walls of your home.
Why did you locate in Euclid, Ohio?
PPG purchased the former Man-Gill Chemical Company facility in Euclid in 1997 as a way to enhance our resources and technology to better serve the automotive, industrial and packaging coatings markets. The Euclid facility complements our strong network of other PPG facilities in the Northeast Ohio region to provide a broad range of products to our customers.
What do you make here?
PPG’s Euclid, Ohio, industrial coatings plant produces pre-treatment and specialty products, including alkaline and acid cleaners and zinc phosphates.
What types of customers buy your products or for what industries?
PPG’s industrial coatings products serve customers in the automotive, transportation, appliance, coil, extrusion, and other markets.
In what ways are your products used?
The products produced in the PPG Euclid facility are utilized primarily in metal processing applications to clean, coat, and provide corrosion resistance, as well as in preparing the metal surface for priming and painting. Our products are used on metal automotive parts, such as body panels, underbody components and fasteners, as well as metal appliance frames and heavy-duty equipment parts.
How many employees and in what types of roles? What types of skilled labor do you hire?
Globally, PPG has approximately 47,000 employees. We employ approximately 90 people at our Euclid facility in a variety of manufacturing, technical, sales and data management roles.
What is your role at the company, and what do you enjoy most about what you do?
I am the plant manager for PPG’s Euclid manufacturing plant. For me, it’s all about our people. We have a great, engaged workforce, and I really enjoy working as a team with our employees to continuously improve our operation to be successful in today’s competitive business environment.
What role does the company play in the manufacturing industry locally? Do you use local suppliers or have local customers?
PPG has a strong presence in Northern Ohio with our Euclid, Strongsville, Cleveland, Huron and Barberton facilities. We utilize many local suppliers, and while many of our customers are in the Ohio, Michigan, and Pennsylvania regional area, we serve additional customers nationally and across the globe. In addition, we donated a combined $130,000 in PPG Foundation grants in 2017 to local organizations in the Cleveland area, which supported STEM educational and community sustainability programs.
In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge that manufacturing currently faces?
The manufacturing sector as a whole currently faces challenges around hiring skilled labor and addressing the educational gap. For current students and recent graduates, there is often a misconception that manufacturing only involves physical labor in a plant. However, PPG is working to educate the next generation of manufacturers to understand that the industry is highly technical and offers a variety of strong opportunities tied to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
What is the state of manufacturing in Ohio or the area?
Manufacturing is an important business sector in Ohio and has been on a growth trend since 2009. Ohio is one of the top 10 states in the nation for both percentage of employees in manufacturing and manufacturing as a percentage of gross state product.
What does the future of manufacturing look like?
Manufacturing is a promising industry and will continue to evolve based on industry needs. Manufacturers like PPG are continually working to provide opportunities and educate the next generation of manufacturers about the various skilled opportunities within the industry. Careers in STEM fields will continue to be essential for the growth and prosperity of manufacturing.
Anything else that we missed but you would like to include? Some interesting fact that readers would be interested in?
PPG has an exclusive paint partnership with the National Hockey League (NHL), which makes PPG paint brands “the Official Paint of the NHL in the U.S. and Canada. You can learn more here.
Low-Dollar Lou
(Courtesy of Guest Blogger Alec Pendleton, Big Ideas for Small Companies, powered by The MPI Group)
In a not-very-nice part of the town where I grew up, there was a used-car lot with a prominent sign reading: “Low-Dollar Lou has the Best Buy for You!” A quick look at his scraggly inventory and an even quicker encounter with Lou himself, with his broad smile and his two-handed handshake (the better to remove my watch?), led me to doubt that his slogan was true.
Every survey of buyers I’ve ever seen ranks price well down the list of priorities, lower than such things as quality, reliability, trustworthiness, location, convenience, etc. — yet the vast majority of advertising focuses first and foremost on price. A large metropolitan area might have as many as a dozen Chevrolet dealers, for example, and yet somehow every one of them has the lowest price. Furniture stores, grocery stores, gas stations, pizza shops, and even Lexus dealers want the world to know how low, low, LOW their prices are.
But why? I can only assume these merchants think that price is more important to customers than the surveys report. And yet, does a Lexus dealer really believe that price is the primary motivator of someone shopping for a $60,000 car? So she or he can brag to friends about saving $500?
I, for one, believe the surveys. I’ve seen two gas stations side-by-side, one with prices $0.10 per gallon higher than the other — and both were equally busy. I’ve shopped for low prices when buying cars, and always left the dealership feeling that there was something I didn’t know — that somehow, some way, the salesman had fleeced me. Worst of all, as a salesman myself, in pursuing an order I badly needed for my manufacturing business, I cut the price myself — without even being asked! (I got the order, and promptly lost money on it.)
There’s an adage that opportunity lies in following a different path than everyone else and that applies to competing on price. It’s a desperate, flawed strategy that inevitably leads to a downward spiral of revenues and profits, as a fixation on low, low, LOW prices attracts the least desirable customers. In a sense, competing on price means that success is defined as being the last one to go broke. It keeps you in a constant state of vulnerability, which is a damn unpleasant way to earn a living.
So what about you? Are you caught in the low, low, LOW price trap? Or have you defined your business — and your customer value — in more meaningful (and margin-full) terms? I’m not suggesting that Low-Dollar Lou change his slogan to “High-Dollar Hal will be your Best Pal,” but he might have attracted different customers — and earned a better living — if he’d focused on something other than price.
What type of employer is HGR? Q&A with the Accounting Department

(Courtesy of Guest Blogger Ed Kneitel, HGR’s controller)
What does your department do?
The Accounting Department is the financial hub of HGR. We work on daily cash reconciliation, processing vendor invoices and customer payments, and preparing monthly financial statements. We manage business relationships with our cell phone carrier, insurance carrier, network administrator, bank, phone company, Internet provider, cable TV provider, and anyone else that receives an HGR check. We support DataFlo, which is our accounting system, and work closely with our development team for support and enhancements. We have an open-door policy, and no issue is too difficult for us to tackle!
How many people work in your department, and what are their roles?
Paul, HGR’s chief financial officer, works on strategic business decisions, customer and vendor relationship management, managing our Austin Call Center and other special projects. Ed, HGR’s controller, manages the day-to-day activities of the department. Lonnie, HGR’s accounting assistant, works with vendors and customers to pay bills and receive payments.
What qualifications do you need to be successful in your department?
We never know when we will be asked to address, and it’s often a time-sensitive issue on short notice; so, we must be flexible and available at all times. We must be able to multi-task, have a good memory (most of the time!), excellent computer skills, an accounting background, understand accounting software, be very well-organized, and have good interpersonal communication skills.
What do you like most about your department?
HGR’s Accounting Department is never boring, since there is something new to do every day — whether we like it or not! We enjoy a challenge; so, bring it on!
What challenges has your department faced and how have you overcome them?
Lonnie joined the department in November 2016 and has been a major factor in the success of the department during the last year.
What changes in the way your department does business have occurred in the past few years?
We have integrated credit card processing into DataFlo, eliminating almost all errors. We also have made major enhancements to DataFlo that have saved time in data processing. We have implemented Smartsheet, a collaborative tool that allows salespeople to view customer wire and PayPal payments, which has eliminated numerous email.
What continuous improvement processes do you hope to implement in the future?
We will be flowcharting HGR’s business processes, which will allow us to spot areas for improvement as we look to upgrade DataFlo. We also hope to further streamline the purchasing process by moving the entire inspection-to-P.O. function to Microsoft’s customer relationship management software (CRM).
What is HGR’s overall environment like?
HGR is always buzzing with activity; there is no other company like it! Everyone is friendly, willing to chat for a few minutes, and genuinely cares about each other, both personally and professionally. We practice what we preach when it comes to our company values!
What is your perspective on manufacturing, surplus, investment recovery/product life cycle/equipment recycling?
HGR serves companies that can’t afford or don’t want to purchase new equipment, as well as companies interested in selling their used equipment. Our business model has proved the test of time throughout almost 20 years in business; so, there is definitely a market for the products and services that we provide. We are constantly moving inventory through our showroom as a result of purchases and sales; so, our “shelves” (okay, aisles and bays) always have new products on display.
Poka-Yoke It: How mistake-proofing devices can prevent human error
(Courtesy of Guest Blogger George Taninecz, VP of research, The MPI Group)
While buying a pair of dress slacks recently, I was surprised to see the department manager using a mistake-proofing device to mark the pant length for tailoring. He placed an upside-down, Y-shaped tool on the floor and against the back of my pant leg.
At the top of the device, he marked a line on the trousers, which established the distance to the ground. Based on that line and the amount of break I wanted in the trousers, the tailor would know where to hem. Poka-yoke for pants.
Shigeo Shingo came up with the term “poka-yoke” (“mistake-proofing” or “inadvertent error prevention” in Japanese) in the 1960s when designing Toyota production processes that would not allow a human error to occur: “A poka-yoke device is an improvement in the form of a jig or fixture that helps achieve 100-percent acceptable product by preventing the occurrence of defects.”[1]
I first saw and used a poka-yoke device more than four decades ago. Every few years, my dad, who was a steelworker, would get 13 weeks of vacation. He often took this block of time during the summer to tackle a household project. In 1973, the job was to apply aluminum siding to our house. His crew was me, my brother, and one of my sisters (my other sister, who was an adult, missed out on the fun).
My dad set the bottom row of siding in place using a level and other means, taking his time to get it just right. Then, with the bottom row attached, each of us would grab our poka-yoke device, which was a piece of wood, shaped like an L. The short, horizontal leg matched the width of the bottom of the siding, and the top of the upright length established the vertical distance for the next piece of siding. We would push our devices against the attached siding and upward, rest the next piece of siding on top of the wood, and my dad would nail the perfectly located piece in place.
Even with the clever mistake-proofing tool, it still took a very long time for one adult and three teenagers to side a house. Fortunately, it also was the summer of the Watergate hearings. When the network broadcasts began, my dad would call it quits to watch. I still associate the southern drawl of Senator Sam Ervin, who headed the Senate Watergate Committee, with much-needed relaxation.
Since that summer of siding, I’ve seen a lot of poka-yokes:
- In manufacturing plants, where devices prevent employees from reaching into machines and harming themselves or stop workers from selecting the wrong part or attaching a part in the wrong location or manner.
- In buildings, where elevator doors won’t close if someone is between the doors, won’t open if the elevator is moving, or the elevator won’t move if the weight of individuals within the elevator exceeds a safe limit.
- At my house, where the washer won’t run unless the door is closed, the mower won’t cut unless the safety bar is engaged, and the garage door won’t lower if a sensor indicates an object is in its way.
I wish mistake-proofing methods could be used for other, bigger problems and put an end to catastrophic outcomes. Imagine if you could apply a poka-yoke to prevent the suffering and dying of people simply because they cannot afford healthcare. Or to stop an evil assassin from stockpiling automatic weapons and killing dozens of unarmed civilians.
Maybe we can. Of course, how and where to apply the poka-yokes would require open, honest, and civil discourse. Real problem solving demands nothing less. Are we willing to try?
[1] Shigeo Shingo, translated by Andrew P. Dillon, A Study of the Toyota Production System, Productivity Press, New York, 1989.
Local manufacturer eliminates noise and moisture issues for the construction industry

How did Keene Building Products get its start?
Keene was started in 2002 as an importer but quickly began development of its production line. Although educated as an accountant, Jim Keene, the founder, became involved in the engineering of the system to produce the materials — a unique plastic extrusion process. Sales were simple since he was involved with many of the customers in the market.
Why was the decision made to locate in Euclid?
Jim’s home town is Richmond Heights, up the hill, but his father and mother went to Euclid High School. Euclid is a great place to manufacture, and Jim wanted to be a manufacturer.
How are the products that you manufacture used?
Keene Building Products is a manufacturer of three-dimensional filament products for the construction industry. Its noise products are designed for construction projects, such as multi-family apartments and condominiums to stop impact and airborne noise, while its building-envelope products can be utilized in wall, masonry, roofing, and foundation applications to eliminate moisture issues.
Starting as a plastic manufacturing company in 2002, Keene has innovated new construction tools in an effort to improve product performance for the market. At first, it only manufactured entangled net products in applications that had coatings and concrete all around them. Today, its capabilities include blending powders and creating chemicals. In addition to plastics extrusion, the company has expanded its expertise to floor-preparation products, below-grade systems, roofing, plastic fabricating and 3D filament.
How many employees work in the facility in Euclid?
30 employees but it will be increasing to 50 in the near future.
Tell us about your building expansion. How many square feet and why?
25,000 square feet for warehouse purposes that will allow us more room for manufacturing.
Are there ways that the company participates in the community?
Not yet!! We will soon.
What do you think is the biggest challenge that manufacturing currently faces?
Skilled labor
What does the future of manufacturing, especially in Northeast Ohio, look like?
The future is very bright here but we need to educate our young people better. Our schools are not up to par, and our workforce doesn’t graduate ready for the positions we need to fill.
What inspires you?
Helping the people in our organization realize their career and financial goals.
Are there any interesting facts about Keene Building that most people don’t know?
- Weatherhead 100 four years running
- Two businesses in the award
- Holder of 20 patents either issued or pending
- Family business with other family members as part of the team
- More likely to sell product on one of the coasts, with full North American coverage and sales in every state

Happy New Year 2018 from everyone at HGR Industrial Surplus!
HGR will be closed on New Year’s Day
Though we will be closed on Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day, we are open for our normal hours the rest of the week and look forward to seeing you in the new year! Here’s to your health, happiness and prosperity in the coming year.
What type of employer is HGR? Buyer Spotlight with Jeff Crowl

Front row (l to r): Jeff’s son Ross and daughter Alexa with Renee’s son Dan
(Courtesy of Guest Blogger Jeff Crowl, HGR buyer)
When did you start with HGR and why?
I started with HGR on April 20, 1998. I signed on with HGR because I really liked what I did at the previous company many of us worked for and wanted to continue on that path.
What is your territory, and what do you do on a daily basis?
My territory right now is most of the eastern part of Pennsylvania and most of the state of New Jersey. In the past, at different times, I also have covered Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, upstate New York, North Carolina, and Ontario, Canada. I have bought deals from sister plants that I dealt with in Texas and California. My days start between 5 and 5:30 a.m. Depending on where I am driving to, I may or may not have time to go into my home office and do some work. Then I’ll drive to wherever I have my inspections scheduled for the day. Once there, I go through and inspect the equipment and then I’ll either head home or to a hotel. Typically I get back home between 4 and 6 p.m., and most nights have two hours or so of email to answer and/or other opportunities to follow up on.
What do you like most about your job?
What I like most about my job is probably all of the different things I see. Every day is different, every drive is different, every inspection is different, and every contact is different. Of all the companies I have visited in the last 20 years, it is amazing to me the different philosophies companies have. One company may be so clean that you could eat off the floor; others you feel like you need a shower when you leave them. One may hold on to unused equipment for many years, and others have policies that if they haven’t used it in three months they should get rid of it. But I just like that every day is different in one way or another.
What’s your greatest challenge?
My greatest challenge is and always will be the hunt for good surplus to buy. We have to keep feeding the showroom so that everyone else in the company can do their thing.
What’s your most interesting moment at HGR?
My most interesting moment at HGR. Wow, I mean it’ll be 20 years this April, so there are so many and also many that I have forgotten. I once accidently kicked a cat and really got scolded by the receptionist and once went to the house of a guy who we bought a deal from and he was not answering calls so I could get the equipment picked up. But I will go with a funny one that happened a few years back. I was in a facility where the contact showed me the equipment they were selling and left me alone and said to show myself out when I was finished. It was a nice cool day out, and as I was walking back to the front of the building there was a side door open and all I had to do was walk through the company lunch room which was being mopped by a lady. As I started to go through, she yelled over to me to be very careful because the floor was being stripped of the finish. Well, of course I saw her walking on the floor and thought for sure that being a nimble middle-aged buyer, I could do it no problem. So I kept walking and much to my surprise floor stripper is much more slick than soap and water. As soon as my feet hit that floor, they went out from under me and were instantly above my head as I landed flatly on my back and smacked my head on the floor. Embarrassed as I lay on the floor, I was trying to get up as quickly as possible so no one would see me. As I tried to prop myself up on an elbow to get up, they just kept slipping out from underneath me as I flopped around like a fish out of water. All I can remember is flopping around and hearing that woman who was stripping the floor laughing hysterically at me. After a few more flops, I was able to get to my feet and “skate” over to the side door to freedom. Bruised, battered, and my pride shaken, I walked to my car covered in the floor gel only to notice my Dell Tablet was smashed. So I then had to make the call to my manager and tell him what happened. Thankfully, he understood and thought the story was quite funny as well.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
My greatest joy when not working would be spending time with my family. I have three kids — a 26-year-old son, Logan; a 23-year-old daughter, Alexa; and a 20-year-old son, Ross. Logan lives in Pittsburgh; Alexa lives in Philadelphia; and Ross has one more semester until he finishes college. So, really anything I can do to see and be with them is all I need.
Who is your hero or greatest influence/inspiration, and why?
I would have to say my father was my greatest influence on me. He passed away in March 1993 from one of the few things I can actually say I hate – cancer. But he was just one of those people who worked hard and never complained and was someone you could always go to and talk to or ask anything of. He was a speech pathologist and last worked as a supervisor of speech and hearing. He was a very honest, moral, and funny person who is greatly missed.
Anything I missed that you want everyone to know?
One other thing I would like to mention is that my girlfriend, Renee, and her three children (Maddy, Bill, and Dan) also live with me. They range from 12 to 22 years of age. We have a busy house on holidays when everyone is home, but they are all great kids and fun to be around.
Merry Christmas!
We are closed today, Dec. 25, so that we can spend time with our families. We wish you and yours a happy holiday season!
The gift that keeps on giving
Back on Aug. 8, I hosted a blog by Guest Blogger Patrick Andrews, a former U.S. Army engineer diver turned artist who makes his creations from repurposed scuba tanks. Evidently, you liked his work because he shared that he noticed an increase in sales on his etsy site, PSA Custom Creations, shortly after the post ran. To thank HGR, he made us one of his bells with our colors and logo! It got hung in the sales office this week, just in time for the holidays. So, now, if you get a good deal at HGR, you can ring the bell and let us know you’re a happy customer. Thanks, again, Patrick, for the wonderful gift that will keep on giving. And, as you know from that famous movie It’s a Wonderful Life, “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings.”
HGR’s 2017 holiday hours
This year, since Christmas and New Year’s are on Mondays, those are the only days that we will be closed for business. Otherwise, we are open as usual from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What type of employer is HGR? Buyer Spotlight with Jim Ray
When did you start with HGR and why?
I was one of the original 11 employees who opened HGR in May 1998. I resigned my position at another machinery dealer and started working at HGR because the challenge of building a new company from the ground up, although risky, sounded exciting and rewarding.
What is your territory, and what do you do on a daily basis?
My territory consists of the southern 2/3 of Ohio, the southern 3/4 of Indiana, the eastern 2/3 of Kentucky and the southwestern 1/3 of West Virginia. On a daily basis, I visit manufacturing plants in my territory and inspect their surplus equipment. When I say inspect, I mean that I walk around, walk over, crawl under, climb over, and squeeze in between machinery and equipment in order to identify, evaluate and take pictures of it. At least one day per week (usually on Monday) I spend the day in my home office. Office days are typically long days spent calling and emailing vendors to follow up on offers I sent out, negotiate deals, following up on leads, scheduling appointments and communicating logistic needs to the transportations departments along with any other issues that needs to be addressed.
What do you like most about your job?
What I like most about my job is being able to visit a wide variety of manufacturing facilities and seeing how different items are produced. I also enjoy meeting and negotiating with a wide variety of people, as well as managing my territory and staying organized.
What’s your greatest challenge?
My greatest challenge is staying on top of my opportunities when I am busy.
What’s your most interesting moment at HGR?
My most interesting or most memorable inspection was during an inspection of a well-known guitar and amplifier manufacturer. Their lobby was full of autographed guitars and life-sized posters. I am a music fan, and several of musician I listen to were represented on the walls. While walking through the plant toward the equipment they had for sale we passed the final test area where several guys who looked like rock stars who were jamming on guitars. One of the areas in which they had equipment for me to look at had about 50 pythons snake skins, all of which were at least 10-feet long, most being longer. Apparently snakeskin guitars are popular, and they actually use real snake skins to make them. That inspection was far from my typical automotive parts manufacture and has always stuck in my mind as being pretty cool.
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working?
I enjoy remodeling projects around the house, and playing card and board games with my wife and three kids: Jillian (15), Matthew (13) and David (11). I also like the outdoors and enjoy camping, fishing and hiking. These days when I am not working, I am typically in a gym or at a field watching my kids play either soccer, basketball, volleyball or lacrosse. Thank goodness they all chose sports that I enjoy watching.
Who is your hero or greatest influence/inspiration, and why?
I would say my Dad has been the greatest influence on my life. He grew up as the son of a coal miner in Hazzard, Kentucky. He worked hard to put himself through college to obtain a master’s degree in mechanical engineering. He always worked hard to provide for our family and never complained about the travel and stress of his job. He lived a very modest life with my mom in order to put my brothers, sister, and me through college. I still look up to him and hope I will always be able to provide for my family the way he did for ours.
Anything I missed that you want everyone to know?
I am a big soccer fan and have played, coached and watched games my whole life. I enjoy watching The Barclays Premier League (England’s top league) and am a fan of Arsenal Football Club out of London, England. I rarely miss watching a match. At the top of my bucket list is to someday travel to London to watch Arsenal play in person.
On the cusp of greatness
Did you know that Cleveland was ranked by National Geographic as one of the top 21 best places in the world to visit? It was called, “An industrial city that pulsates with creative energy.” And, they noted neighborhoods with great restaurants, including Ohio City, Tremont and East 4th St. Cleveland came in at No. 14 and was one of only two locations in the United States that made the list. The selections were made based on an evaluation of the city, nature and culture. Cleveland ranked third for culture.
Here’s the full list so that you can see our competition:
- Harar, Ethiopia
- Jujuy Province, Argentina
- Tbilisi, Georgia
- Sydney, Australia
- Oaxaca, Mexico
- Vienna, Austria
- North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii
- Malmo, Sweden
- Jordan Trail
- Dublin, Ireland
- Madagascar
- Santiago, Chile
- Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Cleveland, Ohio
- Tetouan, Morocco
- Seoraksan National Park, South Korea
- Albania
- San Antonio, Texas
- Labrador, Canada
- Friesland, Netherlands
- Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
We know that Cleveland’s great because of the amazing people and businesses that are located here. Although, I’m proud to call Cleveland home, I’ve made it to Vienna, Dublin, and San Antonio. Have you been to any of the 21 places on the list or have plans to visit soon?
What type of employer is HGR? Q&A with HGR’s Human Resources Department

(Courtesy of Guest Blogger Tina Dick, HGR’s human resources manager)
What does your department do?
The Human Resource Department handles the staffing needs of HGR. Our department handles all aspects of human resources, recruiting, onboarding, benefits and compensation, payroll, employee engagement and retention, as well as monitoring and ensuring that we are in compliance with state and federal regulations as they apply to the above.
How many people work in your department, and what are their roles?
We are a two-person team. I am the human resources manager, and April is the human resources assistant. As we’ve automated some things, April now assists in Inventory, Sales and the Buy Department, and does a great job!
What qualifications do you need to be successful in your department?
There are several competencies in human resources where you need to strive for proficiency in order to be successful. Those competencies are: communication, relationship management, ethical practice, business acumen, critical evaluation, leadership, consultation, and cultural effectiveness. Knowledge and practice in each area help you to keep a balance that promotes a cohesive partnership between organization and staff.
What do you like most about your department?
Getting to hand out the birthday cookies, of course!
What challenges has your department faced and how have you overcome them?
Hiring/retention are and always will be the biggest challenge in any HR department. We live in a moving society where people want to get to the next thing, and that’s okay. If we’ve played a role in someone’s success and they’re ready to move on, we’re glad to have been part of the journey. But the goal always will be to look at ways to get better at it. We’ve knocked our turnover rate down almost in half from last year.
What changes in the way your department does business have occurred in the past few years?
Human Resources was not a formal department three years ago. In that time, we’ve worked with supervisors to provide access to formal training for their role. We’ve developed written processes for each department. We’ve formalized the onboarding process; our new hires come in with a formal orientation and more structured, documented training. We introduced and implemented performance and goal conversations. We created a recruiting system complete with an applicant tracking system where candidates can apply online, and our hiring manager can see their resumes online while pooling candidates for future openings. We work closely with our CEO in the development of a positive company culture. We have helped employees implement plans of employee engagement, e.g., Earn Your Forks and Fly. Many changes, all challenging and all very rewarding!
What continuous improvement processes do you hope to implement in the future?
More training tools. We intend to look back at some of the processes we’ve put in place and make them better. You always have to revisit what you started. What can we change? What works? What doesn’t? What is technology bringing our way? How can we be more strategic? Continue to look for ways to keep communication open.
What is HGR’s overall environment like?
We have a family, team-oriented environment, even though we have buyers across the country and a call center in Austin. We try to keep that in the forefront and be inclusive of everyone. Every role counts, whether in Euclid, Austin or the various states where our buyers are located.
What is your perspective on manufacturing, surplus, investment recovery/product life cycle/equipment recycling?
There are so many ways that what HGR does affects people. New start-ups, artists, companies overseas that are able to produce product with our equipment. On the other hand, we provide a great service to industries that need to clear floor space or are leaving the industry and want to recoup some of their investment. Our business model is unique.
What’s this about an auction?
HGR partners up with multiple auctioneers to bring you online and in-person used machinery auctions. You can see all of the auctions here at HGR Auctions. The info is updated as new auctions come in. Plus you can view some of past auctions to see the type of items are typically up for bidding. All of the bidding is done outside of HGR’s website and HGR does not have any control or overall info on it. Each site will have you register and create an account to bid. Each auction will also have details on whether it is a timed auction, or if the bidding is opening for multiple days. These pages will also have info on purchasing the items. Make sure you check back often for updates.
HGR to close early on Friday, Dec. 15
Please excuse our early closure on Friday, Dec. 15. We are open 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Please come to make your purchases or look around prior to 3 p.m. since we will be closing at that time so that our employees can be rewarded for their hard work and enjoy our annual holiday party with Santa Claus and a pretty rowdy White Elephant gift exchange!
Happy Holidays to you and yours!
The Crew at HGR Industrial Surplus
5 tips for navigating HGR Industrial Surplus’ website
(Courtesy of Guest Blogger Jared Donnelly, one of HGR’s inside sales reps)
This time of year, finding the exactly perfect thing you’re looking for is a challenge that we all face as we descend upon retailers trying to cross things and people off of our shopping lists. For manufacturing and industry, this holds true, as well, as buyers search to try to fill gaps in their arsenal of machinery, or look for one specific part to take their production to the next level.
Searching for industrial surplus is, undoubtedly, easier now than ever with dealers nationwide, networking, and, of course, the Internet. Just like anything else, however, you need to know not only what you’re looking for but the best way to look for it. Let’s take a look at some helpful tips to guide you through searching for just what you need on hgrinc.com.
- Could you be a bit more vague? Typically, it is important to be specific in your search. However, on hgrinc.com, it will actually make it easier to find what you’re looking for if you search broadly and generically. Instead of searching for the make, model, or specific type of bandsaw, just search “bandsaw.” Sometimes, we get equipment in without any sort of real information. Maybe the manufacturer’s plate came off or was removed. Maybe the previous owner painted over or removed any branding. We may well have the bandsaw that you’re looking for. Searching broadly will generate a result for any and all bandsaws in our inventory. From there, find one you like, jot down the inventory number, and give us a call.
- A Machine by Any Other Name. How many different names can you think of for things you use every day? Industrial surplus is no different. You may refer to an item as a recycler; someone else may call it a shredder; and still someone else may have a different name for it altogether. IF your first search doesn’t yield the result you’re looking for, try searching for it by an alternative name. Again, it is important to search broadly, then drill down from there to find exactly what you’re looking for.
- How Much Does It Cost? If you know you’re searching for an item that might only cost $25, sifting through a list of items ranging from $5 to $25,000 doesn’t make much sense. As with most online shopping sites, hgrinc.com gives you an option to sort by price. For instance, if you’re looking for a transformer and you search “transformer” on the website, you’re going to get a wide array of items and prices. If you know that the one you want is a small unit that shouldn’t cost much, sort by price, low to high, and once you hit a price that’s higher than it ought to be for your item, you know you’ve reached the end of your search.
- Ricky, Don’t Lose That Number. Once you find an item, jot down the inventory number for it and remember what it is. This is going to make it much easier to repeat your search without having to try to recall the exact term you used, which one it was, or what page it was on. Instead, you’ll go to the website, type in the 11-digit inventory number, and your item, assuming it is still available, will be right there. Plus, when you call in to talk to a salesperson, the first thing he or she will ask is, ”Do you have an inventory number for me?”
- Frequent Flyer. The website updates in real time and on a daily basis. So keep refreshing, keep looking, and remember to sort by new arrivals. as well. As soon as something is inventoried and photographed, it goes on the website, oftentimes before it even hits the showroom floor. Keeping an eye on this gives you an advantage over in-store shoppers who might not have seen the item on the website or on the floor. As soon as an item is sold, it is removed from the website; so, if you can’t find it anymore, it’s no longer available.
Honda by the numbers
(Courtesy of Guest Blogger Ned Hill, A One-Handed Economist and professor of public administration and city & regional planning at The Ohio State University’s John Glenn College of Public Affairs, powered by The MPI Group)
Honda has always been known for its precise management style; in fact, you could say they literally do everything by the numbers: The 3 Joys, the 3 Fundamental Beliefs, the 5 Management Policies, and the 5 Components of Racing Spirit, to mention just a few. Let’s see how Honda’s obsession with metrics is reflected in an effective mission statement and how superior performance is the result.
Honda’s official name is Honda Motor Car Company, which honors its roots and largest product group. But that moniker doesn’t really describe the company; Honda is a global manufacturing organization that produces and sells far more than automobiles:
- The company’s motorcycles and scooters are globally competitive, with more than a quarter billion sold since 1948.
- Honda Jet in North Carolina delivered its first plane in late 2015 using an engine developed with GE Aviation.
- The power-equipment group produces general-purpose engines, generators, boat engines, lawnmowers, and yard equipment. This division also is moving into household natural-gas-powered cogeneration, and the company as a whole is a leader in fuel cells.
- Honda also is developing a presence in industrial and mobility robotics.
All in all, it’s worth asking, as we consider mission and values: Is there something that ties this company together, or is it just another industrial conglomerate linked by shared financials? More philosophically: How does Honda identify value propositions for customers and owners across its broad platform of products? What is the firm’s corporate connective tissue and source of competitive advantage?
I’d suggest that two competencies unite Honda:
- The first competency is technical and product-oriented: Common to all of Honda’s products and divisions are engines and propulsion systems. These are present in each of its product lines and serve as technical sources of competitive advantage.
- The second competency and source of competitive advantage is the company’s culture.
The Seven Tests of Mission Relevance and Effectiveness
For any company, seven statements provide guiderails to its current operations and a path to its future:
- Statement of purpose explaining why a company exists.
- Statement of the company’s competitive advantage and core competencies.
- Value proposition for customers.
- Value proposition for owners.
- Vision statement that frames the company’s future direction.
- Values and ethics statement that defines the company’s culture, describes the organization as a place to work, and is directed at employees.
- Strategy proposition, founded upon the value propositions, which ties together the vision of the future with sources of competitive advantage and the values of the workplace.
I’ll rate each component of Honda’s culture-setting statements with a ranking from 1 (low) to 5 (high) of the company’s white coveralls (all associates wear them, for anti-utilitarian (dirt shows easily, emphasizing a clean work environment) and egalitarian (everybody looks equal) purposes).
Let’s go through them step by step.
Test One: The Statement of Purpose
The statement of purpose should explain the reason why a company exists. To find Honda’s statement of purpose, we have to draw from three of its cultural documents.
First of all, the foundation of Honda’s culture is its statement of philosophy:
“Driven by its dreams and reflecting its values, Honda will continue taking on challenges to share joys and excitement with customers and communities around the world to strive to become a company society wants to exist.”
Honda’s overarching philosophy recognizes that its survival depends on customers who value its products and communities that value its locations and associated jobs. The philosophy is not tactical, was not developed by marketing, and is timeless. As such, it is partially a statement of purpose.
The company’s mission statement is global, reflecting the realities of the company’s footprint, and focuses on providing value to its customers:
“Maintaining a global viewpoint, we are dedicated to supplying products of the highest quality, yet at a reasonable price for worldwide customer satisfaction.”
APPLAUSE! This mission statement is a value proposition for customers.
Last, the outward-facing messages of Honda’s philosophy and mission are implemented by The Three Joys. The Three Joys of buying, selling, and creating are corporate norms; all are part of the company’s value proposition to its customers.
- The joy of buying is “achieved through providing products and services that exceed the needs and expectations of each customer.”
- The joy of selling is the reward from selling and servicing products and from developing “relationships with a customer based on mutual trust.” In Honda’s vision, selling links the company’s employees, dealers, and distributors together with their shared customers.
- The joy of creating occurs when Honda’s associates and suppliers are involved in the design, development, engineering and manufacturing of Honda products that “exceed expectations [of the customer].” Then “we experience pride in a job well done.”
APPLAUSE again! The Three Joys provide a set of norms that implement Honda’s mission statement and recognize that the corporation’s future is rooted in business practices. No social workers or frustrated marketers were involved in the mission’s creation.
Honda’s philosophy — combined with its mission statement and operationalized by the Three Joys — satisfies the first and third of the seven statements of purpose and value propositions. Give them four pairs of Honda white coveralls for my first criterion on the purpose of the company.
Test Two: The Statement of Competitive Advantage
My second criterion is a statement of competitive advantage, and you cannot find an explicit statement. Perhaps making such a statement is too bold and boastful for the company. Instead, the company’s source of competitive advantage is evident in its product lines and dependence on applied research. Honda’s competitive advantage rests in its research expertise in engine and propulsion systems and the development of products around its research.
An example comes from one of the company’s newest product lines, Honda Aircraft Company. This business unit is the outcome of a 30-year effort to create a disruptive light passenger jet, and it demonstrates the connection between the company’s guiding philosophy and its product development. Michimasa Fujino, an engineer who was part of the original research team in the mid-1980s, is now the president and CEO of the business unit. He helped the investment survive technical and economic setbacks by tying the project to the company’s efforts to rekindle innovation, or to dream. The division exists because of the initiative and skill of Fujino, and it survives because of the strategic support of the company, especially through the Great Recession and the crash of the private aircraft market. “A company has to have longevity,” he says of his strategic mandate. “We look at 20 years or even 50 years of Honda’s growth in the long term. In order to have that kind of longevity, we have to invest [in] our future.”
Honda earns five coveralls for meeting the second criterion through its actions and investments, not through its words.
Test Three: The Value Proposition for Customers
Couple the mission statement with the Three Joys and a clear value proposition is made to customers: Providing products and services that exceed the needs and expectations of each customer at reasonable prices that generate worldwide customer satisfaction.
Five white coveralls on Honda’s ability to present a value proposition to its customers, which is the third test.
Test Four: The Value Proposition for Owners
There is no explicit statement about the value proposition that Honda offers to its owners. This is left to its direct communications with shareholders. However, the awarding of coveralls comes later because Honda hints at that value proposition in its statements.
What is the company’s vision for its future? It is not a specific list of products, technologies or investments. Instead, it is timeless guidance for management and investors in its five Management Policies, which are a mix of Eastern and Western value statements:
- Proceed always with ambition and youthfulness.
- Respect sound theory, develop fresh ideas, and make the most effective use of time.
- Enjoy work and encourage open communications.
- Strive constantly for a harmonious flow of work.
- Be mindful of the value of research and endeavor.
The management policies are a mixture of guidance on how to perform today’s job by supporting open communications and promoting a harmonious flow of work, and of paying attention to tomorrow’s job. Tomorrow’s job is to be approached with “ambition and youthfulness” and based on research, development, and risk-taking: “Respect sound theory, develop fresh ideas” and “Be mindful of the value of research and endeavor.” The emphasis on tomorrow’s job is reinforced by the joy of creating.
While the Management Policies’ language is not familiar to a North American, its intent is pitch-perfect. It addresses the accomplishment of today’s job in the third and fourth precepts—encouraging a harmonious workplace based on open communications. This is part of a values and ethics promise to Honda’s employees.
The other management policies are about tomorrow’s job: Be ambitious and develop new ideas that rest on research and risk-taking. Honda expects itself to be an innovation company. I award three coveralls on the fourth criterion of making a value proposition to ownership because Honda only hints that it is a company built for the long run; it is not solely focused on next quarter’s return.
Test Five: The Vision Statement
The fifth test is explicitly about the future orientation of a company. In Honda’s case, the foundation comes from three of the Management Policies and the tactics come from a set of principles closely associated what the company’s founder, Mr. Soichiro Honda, called The Racing Spirit.
The Racing Spirit is directly connected to Mr. Honda’s early experience in motorcycle racing. He observed that passion is part of every competitive racing team, and he wanted that same passion to be at the heart of his company. There are five components to the Racing Spirit:
- Seek the challenge: Seeking competition improves the performance of both individuals and the company.
- Be ready on time: All races have a starting time—be ready before the gun goes off.
- Teamwork: Races are won by teams, not just the driver. Honda defines this as togetherness: the driver, staff, and machine are all vitally important.
- Quick response: Be ready to solve unpredictable problems at all times.
- Winner takes all: The only goal is winning.
The future orientation of the company begins with seeking the Racing Spirit’s challenge, followed by the Management Policies of ambition, respecting sound theory and fresh ideas, coupled with respect for research. All of this is powered by the dreams that are mentioned in the company’s overarching philosophy. Five overalls for the fifth criterion.
Test Six: The Values and Ethics Statement
The sixth test focuses on the company’s workplace values and business ethics. Honda’s Fundamental Beliefs add to the company’s Management Policies that relate to its workforce. The Beliefs are a trinity of statements about the company’s relationships with its employees. Honda states that these three norms sum to respect for individuals:
- Initiative to act is encouraged, along with taking responsibility for the results of those actions.
- Equality is defined as recognizing and respecting individual differences and rights to opportunity.
- Trust is action-based: “helping out where others are deficient, accepting help where we are deficient, sharing our knowledge, and making a sincere effort to fulfill our responsibilities.”
Honda values initiative, ambition, equality, and trust in a harmonious workplace built around open communications. Five coveralls awarded for meeting the sixth criterion on values and ethics.
Test Seven: The Strategy Proposition
A cornerstone of Honda’s corporate culture is a commitment to continuous improvement and lean operations. Yet, this is not directly reflected in the company’s philosophical statements. The Management Policy supports a “harmonious flow of work,” making effective use of time, along with a fundamental belief in each associate taking responsibility for their actions. These are all elements of lean production.
How well does Honda do in building a useful strategy proposition that is supported by a strong set of management values? Honda’s Philosophy, The Three Joys, the Fundamental Beliefs and The Racing Spirit are guiding principles that are closely associated with Mr. Honda. They are critical components of what could be called the company’s origin story or foundation myth and have been used when the company appeared to have lost its way. Mr. Honda built his company around an enduring strategy proposition—the racing spirit. It is only fitting to drape this criterion with four and a half pairs of Honda’s enduring white coveralls. After all, there is always room for improvement.
OK, But Why the White Coveralls?
Why the white coveralls? They are part of the company’s culture and derive from its fundamental beliefs about equality. Honda does not have reserved parking, its employees are called associates, and all workers — even its CEO, research and development associates, and its accountants — wear white coveralls with covered buttons. This was a shock to U.S. workers when Honda Americas Manufacturing started production.
Honda offers three explanations for the tradition:
- White jumpsuits make physical statements about the work environment, modern manufacturing, and the quality of the finished product. White uniforms stain and easily show dirt. They serve as a check on Honda’s belief that “good products come from clean workplaces.”
- They are symbols about the manufacturing work environment at Honda. The covered buttons prevent scratches on the finish of the products — and highlight the importance of detail in quality.
- Finally, the uniform is a statement about equality and team. Honda states that the white outfit symbolizes the equality of all at Honda in pursuit of the company’s goals.
When Honda opened its U.S. manufacturing operations in Marysville, Ohio, in the 1980s, the jumpsuit and lack of managerial perks made one other statement to potential workers: Honda was not the same as a U.S.-headquartered car company. At the time, this was a very good thing — though others have since learned from Honda’s example.
Enter HGR’s December 2017 “guess what it is” Facebook contest
Head to our Facebook page to guess what piece of equipment or machinery is pictured. To participate you MUST meet the following three criteria: like our Facebook page, share the post, and add your guess in the comments section. Those who guess correctly and meet these criteria will be entered into a random drawing to receive a free HGR T-shirt or other cool items.
Click here to enter your guess on our Facebook page by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 18, 2017. A winner will be drawn and announced the following week.
HGR helps manufacturers navigate buying and selling used equipment

Manufacturing overhead, including factory supplies, depreciation on equipment, and replacement parts, can take a toll on a company’s wallet. Then, when they need to add equipment or replace aging systems, they’re faced with the complication of choosing among options to buy used, buy new or lease. When replacing equipment, a manufacturer needs to sell the old equipment in order to free up floor space and capital.
That’s where HGR Industrial Surplus comes into the manufacturing pipeline to assist a business’ growth and investment recovery by providing used equipment for sale or lease and by buying used equipment to help companies turn surplus assets into cash that will help pay for the upgrade or replacement.
Since scrap prices are at an all-time low, most companies can probably can do better by putting the equipment back into service through resale, which also is environmentally responsible. And, someone else will be able to save capital by buying it used or may even use the equipment for parts in the repair of another piece of equipment. Reselling to HGR also saves the seller the time and frustration incurred in finding potential buyers or in spending money to place ads in industry publications or resale websites then monitoring and responding to inquiries.
If a company is looking for a piece of equipment to replace one being taken out of service or to expand its line, it either can buy the used piece of equipment or lease it through HGR. If they choose to buy it, we have a 30-day, money-back guarantee that mitigates risk, and we are a Machinery Dealers National Association member, which means that we abide by their stringent code of ethics.
Should a company choose to lease a piece of equipment, we have a relationship with a finance source that, essentially, will buy it from us and lease it to the company. Once purchased or leased, our Shipping Department can set up transportation. Then, from the date that the item is purchased, a customer has 30 days to pay and 45 days to remove it from our showroom.
SHOPPING HINT: As soon as the item is received, our Buy Department prices and photographs it then posts it online. Some items never make it to the showroom floor because they are purchased as soon as they are listed. So, it’s important to have a relationship with one of our salespeople who can keep a customer in the loop if something comes in, or a customer can check our website or our eBay auction for the most recent arrivals.
And, though we sell used equipment, we sell tons of other stuff, including shop supplies, fans, fixtures, laptop bags and printer ink cartridges. You never know what you will find. We get 300-400 new items each day in many equipment categories, including welding, machining and fabrication, supply chain/distribution, plastics, chemical processing, electrical, furniture and finishes, hardware, motors, robotics, shop equipment and woodworking. There’s something here for everyone. Many makers and hobbyists shop at HGR and upcycle equipment pieces and parts into other useable objects.
Happy Thanksgiving!
OSHA: What manufacturers need to know for 2018
(Courtesy of Guest Bloggers Joseph N. Gross, partner, and Cheryl Donahue, associate, with Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP)
Although many manufacturers are upbeat about the changes in leadership that will be coming at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and having a full complement of commissioners at the OSHA Review Commission, new OSHA standards could mean a few non-compliance surprises.
Recordkeeping: Who, what, and when
OSHA revised its recordkeeping requirements for tracking work-based injuries and illnesses, now requiring many employers to submit their records electronically. This new electronic recordkeeping rule affects all employers with 250 or more employees that were previously required to keep OSHA injury and illness records and employers with 20-249 employees that are classified in any of 67 specific industries, including manufacturing, which, according to OSHA, historically have had high injury and illness rates. To be compliant, affected employers must submit their 300A Forms by December 1, 2017, per OSHA’s latest notice of proposed rulemaking. Forms are to be submitted to OSHA’s Injury Tracking Application. After the forms are collected, OSHA will post each employers’ specific illness and injury data on its website, to, as one of OSHA’s announcements explains, nudge employers to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses.
Recordkeeping in 2018
In 2018, the electronic recordkeeping requirements change again. Employers with 250 or more employees are required to electronically submit all of their required 2017 forms (Forms 300A, 300, and 301) by July 1, 2018. Employers in the specified high-risk industries, including manufacturing, with 20-249 employees are required to submit their 2017 Forms 300A by July 1, 2018. Beginning in 2019, the submission deadlines change from July 1 to March 2 each year.
Anti-retaliation protections
In addition to the electronic submission requirements, the new recordkeeping rule prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who report their work-related injuries and illnesses. The rule also requires employers to inform employees of their right to report their injuries and illnesses free from retaliation. Employers’ reporting procedures must be reasonable and cannot discourage or deter employees from reporting. Although OSHA did not go so far as making safety incentive programs unlawful, OSHA made clear that rewarding employees for having a good safety record is not permissible.
The dead Volks Rule
In April 2017, President Trump signed a resolution that killed the Volks rule. The Volks rule permitted OSHA to issue citations for certain recordkeeping up to five years after the noncompliant conduct. OSHA’s authority is back to six months. Changes to other rules and policies, including the electronic recordkeeping rule, are probably one to two years away, so stay tuned.
New compliance standards: beryllium & silica
On May 20, 2017, OSHA’s new beryllium standard became effective. Beryllium is a strong, lightweight metal used in industries such as aerospace, automotive, defense, and nuclear energy. The new standard reduces the permissible exposure limit for beryllium to 0.2 micrograms per cubic meter of air, averaged over an eight-hour day. The new standard also requires employers to use practices such as ventilation or enclosure to limit employee exposure to beryllium and to provide respirators when exposure cannot be limited.
On October 23, 2017, OSHA’s silica standard began limiting employee exposure of silica dust to 50 micrograms of respirable crystalline silica per cubic meter of air, averaged over an eight-hour day. Silica exposure occurs when employees cut, grind, or drill silica-containing materials such as concrete, rock, tile, or masonry. The standard now requires employers to limit employees’ access to high exposure areas, to provide medical care to employees who have been exposed, and to train employees about silica-related hazards.
Walking and working surfaces and ladders
OSHA’s new fall-protection standards became effective earlier this year, but manufacturers will not get the full impact until they have to buy new ladders. They are changing. In 20 years, employers will have to replace all cages and wells used as fall protection on ladders of more than 24 feet with more effective systems. But, starting November 2018, employers purchasing new fixed ladders over 24 feet will not be able to use cages and wells for fall protection.
First-annual student art show held at second-annual Euclid Art Walk






(Courtesy of Guest Blogger Joan Milligan, Euclid Art Association program director)
How do you start an art movement? By making connections! During a planning meeting in June for the second-annual Euclid Art Walk, the Euclid Art Association brought up the idea that an art walk should have an art show for the students of the city. That was how the All-Student September Art Show was born.
The goal of the student art show was to connect the community to the local schools to promote the arts. Art is an important, but often limited, part of curriculum. Art teaches students be creative and to look for and recognize designs and patterns all around them. By developing this ability, students can be led to careers not only in art, but also in computer science, graphic design, architecture, engineering and more. Because of limitations in school budgets or family resources, many talented students don’t have access to quality art supplies. We realized the art show could serve another purpose – create a forum to display and recognize budding talent and award that talent with access to good supplies for various media.
Once the seed was planted, the show began to grow! A local landlord offered a vacant storefront to use as a gallery. Businesses, including HGR Industrial Surplus, made donations so that good-quality art supplies could be awarded as prizes to the students and classrooms. The prizes presented to the winners included:
- Large and small tabletop easels
- Pastel sets
- Framing certificates to Driftwood Gallery
- Drawing tablets
- Canvases
- Paint sets
- Paint brushes
- Crayons
- Gift certificates to Dodd Camera
- Photo paper
- Art books
Additionally, the Cleveland Museum of Art sent its mobile art truck complete with hands-on art projects for children, and even a troupe of stilt walkers!
The Euclid Art Walk was held on Friday, Sept. 22, from 6:00-11:00 p.m. The Student Art Show was held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the donated storefront. We created a mini-gallery-feel in the store with art racks and tables from the Euclid Art Association. Live painting opportunities for both adults and children were available in front of the store.
This inaugural art show had 46 entries from elementary through high-school students ranging. There were enough entries at the high-school level that we were able to designate two judging categories: Photography and Fine Arts.
HGR’s Thanksgiving hours 2017
We will be open our normal hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Wednesday and Friday, but we are closed on Thanksgiving Day to celebrate the holiday with our families.
Remember to give thanks for all you have. We are grateful for our wonderful customers!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours from the crew at HGR Industrial Surplus.
Take the Northeast Ohio Regional Manufacturers Survey and make an impact
MAGNET: Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network is inviting manufacturers to impact the future of manufacturing in Northeast Ohio through its second-annual Northeast Ohio Regional Manufacturers Survey. To thank you for your time, you’ll be able to pick one of 10 different business books – and they’ll send it to you for free! They’ll also make a donation of $5 to Harvest for Hunger in your honor.
It will take less than 15 minutes to answer the 40 questions. Your response this year will shape legislative policies and regulations, better align the workforce development system, and much more. In late January, you will get real results on how your company stacks up against other companies in your region, and in your industry, in critical areas like workforce, operations, and growth. The survey questions revolve around workforce, operations, perspectives on growth in 2018.
Feel free to forward this to whomever in your organization that you think is the most appropriate person to fill out the survey, and feel free to share it with other manufacturing companies, as well. The more the merrier!
The final results will be shared widely, and you’ll receive an email as soon as the results are released.
What type of employer is HGR? Q&A with HGR’s Marketing Department

(Courtesy of Guest Blogger Matt Williams, HGR’s chief marketing officer)
What does your department do?
The Marketing Department at HGR Industrial Surplus is responsible for all inbound and outbound marketing. Core responsibilities of the department include: e-mail marketing, social media, events and tradeshows, graphic design, videography, blogging, public relations, and community relations.
Over the past two years the marketing team at HGR has focused intently on content marketing (hence all these great blog posts!) in the company’s efforts to learn more about its customers, vendors, and community and to serve as a connector in the manufacturing sector.
How many people work in your department, and what are their roles?
The Marketing Department currently has three full-time employees and one part-time employee and also relies upon the expertise of several contractors and consultants. Gina Tabasso is our marketing communications specialist and is responsible for developing content, interviewing customers and other stakeholders in the community, and managing a variety of different departmental functions integral to the team’s success. Joe Powell is our graphic designer and videographer. Joe designs fliers, website landing pages, internal communications, and a variety of other internal and external communications pieces used throughout the organization. He is also an FAA-licensed drone pilot. Paula Maggio is our social media specialist. She manages our Facebook, Twitter, and other social media posts. She is also a skilled public relations professional and drafts and distributes press releases for HGR. Matt Williams is the chief marketing officer at HGR and is responsible for managing the marketing team. Matt also has principal ownership of the website and e-mail marketing and manages the activities of several contractors.
What qualifications do you need to be successful in your department?
The Marketing Department receives daily requests from various departments at HGR. Organization to make sure that deadlines are met is critically important. It’s also important that team members are able to bring creative ideas to the table and to synthesize the ideas of other stakeholders in the company to help bring those ideas to life.
What do you like most about your department?
The Marketing Department at HGR has the latitude to pursue creative and innovative ideas to drive engagement. This has been evidenced recently through the F*SHO modern furniture show that was hosted at HGR and which drew somewhere around 5,000 visitors during a five-hour period on a Friday evening in mid-September.
What challenges has your department faced, and how have you overcome them?
Working on the website was very difficult just two years ago. The website was developed by a South Korean firm. While the firm is very technically sound and capable, the language barrier required the use of a translator for e-mail and phone calls. Additionally, the difference in time zones slowed things down. The Marketing Department worked with a local Web-development firm to redevelop the company’s website on the WordPress platform, which makes it much easier to publish posts just like this one. It has become the foundation for our content marketing efforts.
What changes in the way your department does business have occurred in the past few years?
The Marketing Department at HGR was retooled in 2015. All of its current employees were hired in 2015. This created an opportunity to take the company’s marketing efforts in a different direction, and the feedback from other employees and stakeholders has been very strong. One of the biggest changes has been the launch of a new website in 2016.
What continuous improvement processes do you hope to implement in the future?
Gina Tabasso has been interviewing customers for the past several months and has conducted more than 100 interviews. These interviews will be used to develop a customer satisfaction survey that will be sent out in the first quarter of 2018 to gauge opportunities to improve how we do things.
What’s HGR’s overall environment like?
HGR is a relaxed work environment where people care about one another. It’s a fun place to work. We don’t take ourselves too seriously, but we’re serious about the work that we do.
What is your perspective on manufacturing, surplus, investment recovery/product life cycle/equipment recycling?
HGR helps customers to extract the last measure of life out of older capital equipment. Our company serves a role in the manufacturing ecosystem where we help entrepreneurs, startups, and high-growth companies to preserve capital for growth by putting equipment that might otherwise have been scrapped back into service. We also help to validate end-of-lifecycle of capital equipment. If no one buys a piece of equipment from us, it has probably met the end of its useful life and will be recycled. Finally, we are seeing an uptick in interest in industrial elements (e.g., machine legs) that are upcycled into other products, such as modern or steampunk-style furniture.
Auburn Career Center multimedia technology students seek internships
On Nov. 8, Joe Powell, HGR’s graphic designer/videographer, and I had the opportunity to attend a “reverse job fair” with Interactive Multimedia Technology (IMT) students at Auburn Career Center in Concord, Ohio.
These students are currently enrolled in a two-year Tech-Prep program that focuses on the various creative aspects of computer technology. Under the supervision and guidance of their instructor, Rodney Kozar, these students learn everything from Web design to design techniques (digital photography, graphic design, Adobe Photoshop), audio/video production and animation.
The focus of the job fair was to provide potential internship opportunities for Auburn Career Center’s students and manufacturing organizations who are currently members of the Alliance for Working Together, which puts on the annual RoboBots competition. Organizations had the opportunity to interview these students in order to consider hiring them for an eight-week program that would benefit both the organization and the student by working on a marketing project of the organization’s choosing.
When Rodney asked for suggestions prior the event about how to better match students to organizations, HGR suggested that the students set up booths and allow the organizations the opportunity to come around and view their work in a “reverse job fair.”
It worked out extremely well. Each student had his or her own booth featuring that student’s own work, which included large posters, short animation films, photos and even video productions. Hiring managers were able to visit each booth, see small demos, ask questions and then circle back to sign up for interviews. Each organization was allowed four interviews of 15 minutes each.
The 14 students were well prepared to speak about their work and answer various questions. With 11 organizations in attendance, student interviews were booking quickly; so, we had to make our decision fast so as not to lose out on the opportunity. With so much talent, narrowing it down to four was difficult.
During the interview process HGR’s Joe Powell was able to ask our candidates the technical questions: what software programs were they familiar with, camera angles, editing, sound booths and Photoshop. The flow of dialogue was smooth between them. I was able to get a good feel for how well our candidate managed his or her time, dealt with project deadlines, worked as a team and what he or she potentially could bring to the table. All four of the candidates that we interviewed were on their game.
Our goal at HGR is to bring on one intern in early 2018. We have it narrowed down to two candidates who we’ve invited out to interview us. Stay tuned.


HGR hosts MAGNET’s annual State of Manufacturing event
(Courtesy of Guest Blogger Dale Kiefer, freelance journalist)
On Nov. 10, HGR welcomed members of the public to its headquarters to gain insights about important trends that are likely to affect Northeast Ohio manufacturers in the coming year. The third-annual State of Manufacturing event was organized by MAGNET: The Manufacturing Advocacy and Growth Network whose mission is to help area companies grow and thereby contribute to the manufacturing renaissance in Northeast Ohio.
The morning event began with a networking breakfast that gave attendees a chance to connect with other industry professionals, including HGR associates and expert consultants from MAGNET. Ethan Karp, president and CEO of MAGNET, launched the formal part of the program with opening remarks. This was followed by an expression of thanks to HGR and all of the participants from Euclid Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer Gail.
The first presenter was Joseph N. Gross, an OSBA certified specialist in labor and employment law who is also a partner at Benesch Attorneys at Law. He spoke about changes at OSHA and what manufacturers can expect when dealing with the agency in the coming year.
He was followed by Mark Wolk, the central region manager for Bank of America Leasing & Capital, who gave an overview of the equipment finance market. This included a lease versus loan benefit comparison for capital equipment.
The third and final speaker for the morning was Dr. Ned Hill who teaches economic development policy, public policy, and public finance at the John Glenn College of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University. The focus of his presentation was Manufacturing 5.0, or the Fifth Industrial Revolution, which describes the most recent major shift in the economy’s structure. Under Manufacturing 5.0, all aspects of enterprises will see full digital integration. In this new economy, soft skills will be just as valuable and essential among the workforce as harder technical skills.
Following the presentations, the speakers opened the floor to questions. Thereafter, attendees were given a chance to take guided tours of HGR’s facility and learn more about the history of the company and the value that HGR itself provides to manufacturers. More than 40 attendees toured HGR’s 500,000-square-foot showroom and newly renovated offices.
The State of Manufacturing 2017 event was sponsored by MAGNET, The Ohio Manufacturing Extension Partnership, Benesch Attorneys at Law, and Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
Enter HGR’s November 2017 “guess what it is” Facebook contest
Head to our Facebook page to guess what piece of equipment or machinery is pictured. To participate you MUST meet the following three criteria: like our Facebook page, share the post, and add your guess in the comments section. Those who guess correctly and meet these criteria will be entered into a random drawing to receive a free HGR T-shirt or other cool items.
Click here to enter your guess on our Facebook page by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 20, 2017. A winner will be drawn and announced the following week.
Organic SEO tips and tricks
What is SEO?
Many companies have websites or social media pages but don’t maximize them for search engine optimization (SEO). So, first, what is SEO? Basically, it is all the techniques (paid and unpaid/organic/earned) that affect the visibility of your website in key-word search results that potential customers are conducting. Then, these potential customers will be better able to find your website or product and, hopefully, be converted into customers.
As you may know, this search hinges on algorithms created by the leading search engines, such as Google, Bing and Yahoo!. Their bots or spiders “crawl” your website for key words then index your website in the search results based on a complex mathematical formula. This is called unpaid, organic or earned SEO.
How can you maximize organic SEO?
Tip #1: Optimize your images by creating alt tags and descriptions. Yes, images count.
Tip #2: Use internal linking to drive traffic to a poorly performing page on your site and get backlinks to your website from other websites.
Tip #3: Keep your content fresh since the spiders crawl the pages regularly.
Tip #4: Use key words in your page titles, subheadings, product descriptions, category landing pages, file names, link text, URLs and blog posts.
Tip #5: Create a Google Plus and Places page and get reviews since Google also indexes these.
Tip #6: Create a YouTube channel and add videos since Google ranks YouTube videos highly in search results.
Trick: If you create meaningful content that can be shared on your social media pages, mention others to increase the likelihood of shares, likes and saves. That way, you get in front of their followers, as well! Social media content also is indexed in search engine results.
What else can you do?
You also can increase the likelihood that potential customers will find your website with paid SEO or search engine marketing (SEM). This is where you gain traffic by buying ads or conducting pay-per-click campaigns on search engines through Google AdWords, Bing Ads or Yahoo Search Ads.
We’d like to hear your book suggestions
Do you love to read about technology, trends in manufacturing, history, the trades? We do. We’re also invested in helping to educate young people about the manufacturing industry and careers in manufacturing. And, we admire our maker and hobbyist customers who are curious and invested in learning new techniques and applications. To this end, we’ve created a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) Resource Center in our customer lounge. Since our renovation of the front office is complete, we’re working to populate the resource center with new and updated materials.
Do you have a book suggestion that others in the industry might enjoy reading? If so, comment below. Here’s a list of some of the books that you’ll find on our shelves:
- Machining Fundamentals: From Basic to Advanced Techniques by John Walker
- World Class Manufacturing: The Next Decade by Richard Schonberger
- Poorly Made in China by Paul Midler
- Inexpensive CNC Projects by Robert J. Davis II
- The Everything STEM Handbook by Sawah Rihab
- The Welding Business Owner’s Handbook by David Zielinski
- Making it: Why Manufacturing Still Matters by Louis Uchitelle
- On the Economy of Machinery and Manufacturers by Charles Babbage
- The Radium Girls by Kate Moore
- Faster, Better Cheaper in the History of Manufacturing by Christoph Roser
- Freedom’s Forge: How American Business Produced Victory in WWII by Arthur Herman
- Welder’s Handbook by Richard Finch
- Getting Started with 3D Printing by Liza Wallach Kloski
- African American Women Scientists and Inventors by Otha Richard Sullivan
- The Machine Age in America: 1918-1941 by Richard Guy Wilson
- Makers: The New Industrial Revolution by Chris Anderson
Homemade hamburgers in the heart of Euclid
I heard rumors about a hamburger joint in Euclid with some of the best burgers around and had to check it out. The colleague that I was meeting for lunch is a longtime Euclid resident, and she had never been there either. So, off we went to Stevenson’s Bar & Grill.
Stevenson’s is a local, neighborhood bar where the bartenders and regulars make you feel welcomed. Alysia took care of us this time. It was Halloween; so, she was dressed as a skeleton and handing out candy. And, we got to meet Bruce, the kitchen owner. Yes, the kitchen and the bar are owned by two different people. Paula is the bar owner, but she wasn’t in when we visited.
The menu is no frills, bar basics: French fries, onion rings mozzarella sticks, jalepeno poppers, other breaded and fried delights, two salad options and sandwiches. But, everyone comes for the “Big Guy” double cheeseburger with lettuce, pickle and special sauce. So, I had to try the “Big Guy” and fried pickles (slices, not spears) with a homemade horseradish sauce. My friend had the turkey burger with fries. Everything tasted homemade. The buns were good. The service was great.
Bruce says that Stevenson’s has been around for 64 years with the first 60 years on Lake Shore Boulevard and the last four at its current location on E. 200th Street.
So, if you’re shopping at HGR, it’s not a Wednesday when we have free lunch, and you’re in the mood for a burger, Stevenson’s is just around the corner.
Ohio Strong Award recognizes those who excel in manufacturing and the trades
As Josh Mandel, treasurer of Ohio, states, “There is a quiet crisis upon us with a shortage of young Americans pursuing careers in manufacturing and the skilled trades. According to a recent Skills Gap Survey by the Manufacturing Institute, approximately 600,000 manufacturing jobs are unfilled nationally because employers can’t find qualified workers.” In order to encourage young people to enter these fields, that state has created the “Ohio Strong Award.” The application form is available here.
If someone you know or work with demonstrates an excellent work ethic and passion for what he or she does in manufacturing and the skilled trades, you can nominate him or her for helping to make Ohio strong. These stories, which will appear on the Ohio treasurer’s website, will recognize those laborers as well as inspire the next generation of Ohioans to pursue careers in manufacturing and the trades.