SUPERB vision brings Ohio molder success despite the recession

 

Superb President John Miller (Superb Industries Inc. photo)

SUGARCREEK, OHIO (March 12, 2:40 p.m. ET) — Located at the edge of Ohio’s Amish country, management at SUPERB Industries Inc. thinks it’s found the keys to progressive manufacturing in small-town values and global vision.

Above all, he said, SUPERB is focused on U.S.-based manufacturing, something too many manufacturers have sent overseas, he said.

“If the last 18 months haven’t taught us that trading derivatives and commodities on Wall Street doesn’t build wealth, than nothing will,” he said. “If somebody in Washington doesn’t get the idea that in order to create wealth, we’ve got to take clay and make bricks, take steel and build cars, take wood and build homes — if they don’t do that, the U.S. will become a service industry in which we will serve tea and coffee to the people that do.”

Get a look at SUPERB's operations in this Plastics News video.

When J.D. Miller decides to dive into a project, he doesn’t mess around... he does it big. The New Bedford native has always had a passion for steam engines. Recently, he saw the culmination of a dream take place when he finished the restoration of one of the world’s rarest steam engines — a 110 Case, which is as majestic as it is beautiful.

My earliest memories are of my dad working on engines. Now in his 72^nd year, he is ready to present the crowning achievement of his life at the Doughty Valley Steam Days—a meticulously restored vintage 1912 Case 110 horsepower steam traction engine.  A literal mammoth, the Case 110 weighs in at 43,000 pounds ensuring that the seven foot diameter wide-body-wheels have the needed traction to deliver the power at its disposal. Leading edge technology in its day, the Case 110 boasts power steering enabling the operator to steer with ease even when pulling 14 plows on the expansive western plains of the United States.  The Case 110 was rated the most efficient steam engine in its day—delivering the most power with the least amount of coal and water. It had—to be politically correct—the lowest “carbon footprint” of any engine in its class at the time (not that we will be concerned about that when the black smoke billows upward at Doughty Valley J).

SUPERB wins gold medal award from Wabash Technologies as an outstanding supplier.

SUPERB receives supplier appreciation award from A.R.E. Truck Accessories for third consecutive year.