Ripley Manufacturing Co. Handed Down to Next Generation
Over the course of last year, Ripley Machine & Tool Co. has been active internally as they’ve transitioned management responsibilities from grandfather to grandson. The company, located on East Main Road, also received the “gold standard certificate” for quality management and product — opening possibilities for more work in the years to come.
On Wednesday, County Executive Vince Horrigan and county Industrial Development Agency staff visited the company to get an inside look at operations and meet with management, including new owner Andrew Reinwald. The 23-year-old recently took over operations from his grandfather Quentin Bensink, who’s an experienced tool and die maker. Reinwald started working for the company during his junior year in high school and took interest in the business through the years.
The company-initiated operations in the 1970s and was bought by Bensink in 1994. Under Bensink’s reign, the company expanded business and grew rapidly.
In 2008, Ripley Machine & Tool added onto their facility and acquired more machines to serve and accommodate their customer’s needs. The company provides high-precision grinding, CNC turning, CNC milling of aluminum for various applications, alloyed steels and nonferrous metals for applications in rail, auto, industrial and aerospace, among other sectors.
Commonly machined parts include crosshead pins, bushings, couplings and hubs.
“We make a little bit of everything,” Reinwald said. “One of our big focuses is on valves for companies, and we do a lot of grinding. We do much of our business in the U.S.”
Reinwald said most of their customers are based in Erie, Pa. They’ve also sent products to customers in Chautauqua County and Buffalo as well as Texas and Oklahoma.
Ripley Machine & Tool recently received ISO Management System certification, providing evidence to customers, suppliers and employees their commitment to producing high-quality products and customer service. The certificate, which Reinwald said was a year-and-a-half-long project, demonstrates effective implementation of management, commitment to their customers, establishment of clear policy, efficient process control and resource management, among other attributes.
For business, Reinwald said they hope the certification provides more opportunities with different areas and different customers, including the automobile industry.
“We’re not working (directly) with the automobile industry. We’re working with their suppliers,” he said. “Because of tight restrictions (the automobile industry) has, they can only hire ISO-certified suppliers. With our centerless grinding, that’s a key thing for us because we’re able to supply the suppliers with those products, so it’s real exciting. We think that should lead to new work and rehiring and hiring of new workers and filling up our capacity here.”
The company currently has 13 employees, which is slightly down from 2008 when business was booming. Even though he’s handed over responsibilities to his grandson, Bensink continues to provide his expertise to Reinwald, who took over Jan. 1, 2015.
“I let him do everything,” Bensink remarked. “He’s running the show now.”
After touring the facility, Horrigan said he was honored to visit the small business and meet with Reinwald and Bensink. Horrigan congratulated the business for receiving a special certification.
“I got excited talking to Andy and listening to his energy and drive in being successful in business,” he said. “To be able to see a small business in our community and experience some of the challenges they have, but more than anything, see that mobile workforce, it’s exciting.”
