News Articles/Press Releases

Speaker John Boehner Visits Pentaflex, Inc. and McGregor Metalworking Companies Executives to discuss Issues Ranging from Tax Law to Workforce Development in Manufacturing

Springfield, OH – Speaker of the House John Boehner recently made a visit to Pentaflex, Inc. and met with executives from Pentaflex and another Springfield-based metal forming company, McGregor Metalworking Companies.  Speaker Boehner was greeted by Ross McGregor, Manager of Business Development for Pentaflex; Kip Sweeney, President of Pentaflex; Jamie McGregor, Senior Account Manager of McGregor Metalworking and Dane Belden, President of McGregor Metalworking.

Ross McGregor, who is a State Representative for Ohio, opened the discussion with Speaker Boehner outlining some of the key issues for private manufacturing business.  “Our businesses are based on a trained and talented workforce and in a very competitive global market, our country needs to address the education and training processes and funding” Ross stated.  During dialogue that ensued Speaker Boehner pointed out we need a greater emphasis on training and development to ensure America remains the most productive country in the world.  Ross commented that Pentaflex did work with both Sinclair Community College and Clark State, but part of the issue is too many different agencies and programs seem to dilute the effort.  “McGregor Metalworking has chosen to take action on its own and with the Springfield City Schools, specifically Springfield High School and the Clark County CTC to develop intern programs to develop talent” said Dane Belden.

The discussion turned to how the uncertainty in tax law is a significant issue for the owners of pass-through entity business.  “Not knowing what the near term future is regarding the tax rates for companies structured like ours inhibits the capital spending decision-making process for us” said McGregor Metalworking’s Jamie McGregor.  Ross McGregor agreed and made the point that perhaps many of our law makers don’t truly understand how this impacts the private businessman.  Speaker Boehner’s remarks made it clear he understood the issue and agreed that awareness was not as high as it could be in Washington.

Speaker Boehner and the executives were then led on a tour of the Pentaflex facility by Ross McGregor and Kip Sweeney.  Viewing products in production as varied as large truck brake system components to house skylights, the tour ended with Speaker Boehner addressing the Pentaflex employees on the shop floor.  He made the point that while the economy is better, it could be much better and that clearly a more varied approach to energy independence must be the focus of our government.  This struck a chord with all as the spike in gas prices were beginning to hurt all employees and was a threat to the growth of the economy itself.

L-R: Kip Sweeny, Dane Belden, Jamie McGregor, Speaker John Boehner

                                                                                                  Photo:  Brock Cox

McGregor Metalworking Companies Celebrates Its Supplier of the Year Award with Its Associates, John Deere Executives, and the Springfield, Ohio Community

Springfield, OH – The McGregor Metalworking Companies recently brought its Springfield, Ohio associates, John Deere executives and members of the Springfield community together to celebrate its award as supplier of the year for the Ag and Turf division of John Deere & Co.  Held at the Hollenbeck Bayely Center of Clark State, the event included a number of pieces of John Deere equipment supplied by JD Equipment – the major John Deere dealer for the region.

In 2011 McGregor attained Partner level status in John Deere’s Achieving Excellence supply chain management program.  This was the sixth time in the past nine years McGregor achieved this highest certification.  In addition to being named Partner, McGregor was awarded John Deere’s highest level of distinction by being the Supplier of the year for the Ag and Turf division.

Executives from John Deere in attendance were Jim Sieleman, Global Director ofSupply Management Harvesting Platform; Mike Amerling, Supply Base Manager Metal Stampings; John Shoemaker, Strategic Sourcing Manager; Heather Bishop Supply Management Manager Greeneville, TN; Ed Pederson Supply Council Manager.  They expressed a very favorable view of both the Agriculture and Turf markets, not only in North America, but globally.  Population growth in concert with the maturation of diet change in developing regions of the world will be significant drivers for the goods and services of John Deere & Co.

The event was kicked off by Dan McGregor, Chairman of the McGregor Metalworking Companies that expressed the perspective that he and his brother, the late Jim McGregor, had when growing the business.  “Jim and I both agreed that we would stay in this business so long as it was fun, and it continues to be.  We also wanted a great company and we have a great company and today is testimony to that” 

The John Deere management reiterated that the Supplier of the Year award isn’t given, but instead earned by the recipient company.  “When we received the phone call from Deere telling us of the award I was honored to be on that call along with Jim McGregor and Jamie McGregor” said Dane Belden, President of McGregor Metalworking Companies.  “While Jim McGregor is no longer with us physically, his personality and vision will forever be in our company and it’s pleasing to know that he knew of this award prior to his untimely death, we were all very proud of this achievement.”

McGregor’s strategy of simplifying their customer’s supply chain was outlined by bringing together McGregor’s centers of excellence in metal stamping, metal spinning, robotic welding & assembly, machining and tool & die engineering.  By providing a single source for components and assemblies made utilizing these processes, McGregor Metalworking can efficiently supply as a single source to its customers.

The Supplier of the Year celebration brought together McGregor associates, John Deere executives, Community leaders and suppliers because they all had a part in the honor.  “I was really impressed by the content of the speeches and the attendance of several community leaders and local organizations.  I think everyone left there with a huge sense of pride for being part of the McGregor Metalworking Companies.  I know I did” said Tracy DeSantis who manages the ERP system for McGregor.  Jon Neeld, Plant Manager of the Rose City Manufacturing facility commented “I can honestly say that of the companies I've worked for, I've never been part of an organization that celebrates a success quite like McGregor. Sure, successes have been recognized, but to go the extra mile to involve all associates, suppliers, members of the community, etc. - it says a lot.”

                                                                                       Dan McGregor, Chairman   photo by Brock Cox

McGregor Metalworking Companies to Be Featured on the Ohio News Network™

Springfield, OH –  Recently Ohio News Network’s (ONN) “ Ohio Means Business” anchor Mike Kallmeyer stopped by McGregor Metalworking Companies to learn more about the organization after hearing of its Supplier of the Year award from John Deere.  “Ohio Means Business” is a production of ONN that showcases the companies and leaders reshaping Ohio's business world.

Mike and his crew spent the afternoon with McGregor and had an opportunity to visit our OSMI facility to better understand the scope and culture of our business.  The “Ohio Means Business” segment will air multiple times (see schedule below) on the Ohio News Network which can be found on Time Warner Cable channel 362 and AT&T U-verse channel 233.  It can also be seen on their website www.onntv.com  after the original air date by clicking on the “Ohio Means Business” link.

The McGregor Metalworking Companies Named Partner Level Supplier and Supplier of the Year by John Deere & Co.

Springfield, OH – The McGregor Metalworking Companies achieved Partner level in John Deere’s Achieving Excellence (AE) supply chain management program for the 2011 fiscal year making it the 6th time in 9 years.  “This is a tremendous feat considering John Deere has in excess of 60,000 global suppliers 2,900 of which are in the AE program and only 204 make Partner level” said Dane Belden, President of the McGregor Metalworking Companies.  “This alone is quite an honor, but to be awarded Supplier of the Year for the Ag and Turf Division in the company of so many great global suppliers is a huge source of pride for all of our 389 associates.

”The McGregor Metalworking Companies supplies a wide range of products to a number of Deere facilities from pulleys, heat shields, structural components to cab body panels for Deere’s Global Cab Program.  Jamie McGregor, Key Account Manager for the John Deere business states “We produce a variety of large components that make up their standardized cab that is used on sugar cane harvesting to combines and cotton pickers globally.  Our facilities currently supply product to US and German factories and will soon be providing product to Brazil.” The McGregor team works closely with Deere from concept to mass production and with expertise in a variety of processes from metal stamping to welding, machining and pulley spinning there is a strong commitment to simplifying Deere’s supply chain.

The presentation of the award was held in a ceremony in Davenport, Iowa at John Deere & Co’s annual AE Banquet on February 15, 2012.  McGregor Metalworking’s Chairman, Dan McGregor commented “We have been a supplier of record to Deere for 26 years and early on we set about being named Supplier of the Year.  We understood the odds were very low, but we’re McGregor and our associates really can’t be matched.  These years of effort have proven our excellence and as Larry Meeske, Director of Supply Chain management for Deere told me ‘We didn’t give you this, your company has earned it” and that is very rewarding.”

McGregor Metalworking is holding a celebration event for its associates, vendors, local business, development and political leaders and invited guests on April 3, 2012 at the Hollenbeck-Bayley Center in Springfield, OH.  With displayed equipment provided by JD Equipment Inc. of London, OH, the event will feature presentation from both McGregor and John Deere executives.

McGregor Metalworking Companies’ Carmichael Machine business will be exhibiting at the Design2Part Show in Atlanta, Georgia

Springfield, OH –   The McGregor Metalworking Companies will have a fully staffed booth at the Design2Part Show being held in Atlanta, Georgia on March 28th and 29th.  Attending will be Mike Moler, East Coast Sales manager, Mike Browning, Midwest Sales Manager and Jim Baldwin, Vice President of Sales for McGregor Metalworking.  Held at the Cobb Galleria Centre, the Desigh2Part Show will showcase Carmichael’s diverse high tolerance machining capabilities.

“We have found that there is a significant under-served market for machining services in many regions and with our central location and easy access to major shipping routes we can compete on price, delivery and quality” said Mike Moler.  “McGregor Metalworking is well known as a top-tier supplier to global manufacturers and our high-contact culture is a true differentiator among our competitors.

”Focusing on CNC milling and turning as well as mid-volume screw machine processing, the Carmichael business can provide a large variety of services to the market.  “McGregor Metalworking is also heavily involved in metal stamping, robotic welding, pulley splitting and assembly of mechanisms.  These processes in concert with our value add suppliers of heat treating, painting and plating allows us to simplify most anyone’s supply chain” commented Mr. Baldwin.

PBS Newshour™ with Judy Woodruff Visits McGregor Metalworking Companies to Get The Manufacturer’s View of The Upcoming Ohio Republican Primary

Springfield, OH –  The McGregor Metalworking Companies were visited by the PBS Newshour™ team with reporter Judy Woodruff to learn about the challenges that face manufacturers and their views on the candidate platforms.  Taking a unique approach, Ms. Woodruff interviewed a cross section of McGregor associates to understand their concerns and views of the issues.

“It was a very interesting process as when you listened to the views of all there were common threads at all levels in our company” said Jamie McGregor, Senior Sales Account Manager of the McGregor Metalworking Companies.  “As an employee and shareholder my concerns mirrored many of the issues seen by most of our people.  We need a business-friendly environment to operate in a truly global market and issues from tax law to workforce development programs are central to our success."

The PBS film crew was able to visit many areas of the Morgal facility and see the diversity of products McGregor produces from treadmill frames to pulleys.  Airing at 6:00 PM EST on Monday March 5, 2012, the PBS Newshour™ will feature not only McGregor Metalworking Companies, but other views across the state of Ohio.