Springmaking Businesses Come in All Sizes

By Gary McCoy Small, medium or large, springmakers all share a common goal of serving customers and producing their products to the highest quality standards. In this issue we celebrate the different companies, of all different sizes, who contribute to the success of this great industry.

Regardless of a company’s size and workforce, I agree with author Steven L. Blue who wrote the book “American Manufacturing 2.0” that there are key conditions needed for successful manufacturing to take place. I read this book when it was published in 2016. I was surprised to see how accurate his five key conditions for successful manufacturing are in light of the pandemic that, among other things, has resulted in labor and raw materials challenges. 1. Markets That Are Free and Stable 2. Raw Materials 3. Labor 4. Energy 5. Leadership

“While factors such as free markets, raw materials, labor and energy are not entirely within your control,” writes Blue, “your leadership is totally within your control.”

Leadership is a common thread throughout the articles we present here.

Leading off our lineup is an article by Raquel Chole, a frequent contributor to Springs. Her report, “It’s All About Size” on page 28, showcases six springmakers of various sizes. As she states in the article’s introduction, “The springmakers featured in this article vary in size and serve every industry that uses a mechanical assembly. For the largest companies, automotive is a key area served; for some of the smaller springmakers, they have found a niche in specialized markets that are unique to their geographical location.”

Our Springmaker Spotlight looks at All-Rite Industries, located in Spring Grove, Illinois, just northwest of Chicago. “Bringing it All Together:

A Profile of John Bilik and All-Rite

Spring Company” can be found on page 55. It is a prime example of one family business that started out small,

but has grown much larger and is now thriving with third generation family ownership. Company chairman and CEO John Bilik gives much of the credit for the company’s growth to his employees and as a key factor to continued success in the spring industry. “Teamwork at every level is the only way forward in the industry.”

One of the traditions of Springs is to celebrate the milestones of its springmaker members, who come in all sizes. Our Flashback, “A Global

Highlight About a Springmaker’s

Anniversary,” can be found on page 37. It is a reprint of an item about Vulcan Spring and Manufacturing Co. that appeared in our Global Highlights section when the company celebrated its 40th anniversary. As Vulcan’s current president Scott Rankin says, “It’s definitely an old article, but still accurate. We have come a long way since then.” The company will celebrate its 55th anniversary next year.

Whether owned by family members or a private equity firm, we hope you enjoy this celebration of the many and varied companies that make up this great industry. n