2017 ANNUAL CHAMBER AWARDS
The Chamber held its annual awards presentation immediately following the “Chamber’s Annual Meeting” on May 8th.
Recipients of the 2017 Chamber Awards:
Industry of the Year, Tramec Sloan
Tramec Sloan saw an increase of nearly 10% in employment last year. New purchases included a Neotecman forging machine which optimizes the material used in the manufacturing process, purchased a BTB Transfer machine that allows them to complete the manufacturing of parts with one operation that took multiple operations previously and also allows for quick change over of parts. Their final 2017 purchase was an IFP high performance parts washer, to keep up with current production rates and eliminate a major bottleneck in that process.
With all these investments, Tramec has been able to expand their recognition in the Heavy duty and industrial market and are gaining new customers, increased sales, improved efficiencies and productivity, all thanks to this new and improved technology.
They were also recently named the 2018 Ralph Phillips Business Partner of the Year at the 13
th
Annual Awards Dinner at Pioneer Career and Technology Center in Shelby.
Business of the Year, Longstreth Memorials
The 2017 business of the year is Galion’s oldest business, having opened their doors on January 6, 1868. To celebrate their 150 years in business, they have an “open house” scheduled for June 28
th
from 5-8:00 pm.
Their current President, Sean Longstreth is the fifth-generation family member to oversee the operation of the business.
Longstreths product lines include cemetery monuments, cremation monuments, garden memorials, civic & veteran memorials, pet memorials, cemetery burial vaults and caskets. They also perform cemetery restoration work and monument foundations.
Employment varies between 20-25 employees depending on the time of year.
They also provide educational tours to churches, civic clubs, private individuals and schools as well as seminars for funeral directors.
They currently serve 11 counties in Ohio and often deliver memorials to neighboring states.
With locations in Galion, Mansfield, Bucyrus and Mt. Gilead they offer home, evening weekend and holiday appointments.
Service Business of the Year, Fox Plumbing & Heating
On August 1, 1966 the late Homer & Jeannette Fox opened the doors to Fox Plumbing & Heating. Currently, sons, John, Bill, and David Fox are running the business that has 12 employees.
Fox Plumbing & Heating’s areas of expertise include, residential, commercial and industrial market places. With a full line of repair parts for many makes and models of equipment and a well-stocked showroom.
Fox Plumbing & Heating believes in supporting the community and the youth of Crawford County, which is evidenced in their involvement with area schools and churches, the annual Avita 5 k run in honor of the late Dr. Ted Ebner, United Way of Crawford County as well as all sports teams.
The Fox Family believes, "A little progress each day adds up to big results!
Professional of the Year Award, Steve Tilson
The 2017 Professional of the Year award recipient is described as someone who puts helping others above himself on his list of priorities time and time again. Whether it be a family relationship, a client, a colleague or a complete stranger, he will do anything he can for any person at any time.
In 2017, he was appointed to the board of directors for First Federal Bank of Ohio and the Galion Community Center YMCA. He was also recently awarded the 2017 Ramey Award for Distinguished Community Service by the Ohio State Bar Foundation. This award is given to an Ohio attorney whose career has been exemplified by dedication to the goals and values sought to be furthered by the Foundation; a lifetime of service to the public and to the community; and integrity, honor, courtesy and professionalism.
Retail Business of the Year, The Candi Bar
The 2017 Retail Business of the Year started out in October 2011 as a small shop on a side street that very few people knew about. As the business grew, because of the great coffee, candies and sweets, you often had to wait outside on the street until someone else came out so you fit inside the store.
In 2015, the Uptowne area was blessed with the delicious smell of coffee when the Candi Bar moved to its current location at 125 Harding Way East. With its windows always beautifully decorated, it has now become a welcoming place where many people gather to chat, hold meetings, color or or simply work. The menu has continued to expand, now offering lunch and other sweet treats, delicious goodies and many more coffee drinks and flavors. And a staff that makes sure you leave with a smile!
The Candi Bar is an wonderful addition to the main street of Galion that has helped revive the uptown business district.
Chamber Presidents Award, Bertha Maglott
The 2017 Chamber Presidents Award recipient was the leader of HomeCare Matters since its beginning in August of 1985, recently retiring after 33 years of service.
Under her leadership, they have grown to 54 employees, began their annual celebrity waiter dinner, served thousands of patients, saw the purchase of the funnel cake stand and the inception of the Christmas giving project to name some of her major accomplishments.
She is also actively involved in her church.
Volunteer of the Year, Jennifer Kuns
This year’s Volunteer of the Year currently serves on the Chamber Board of Directors (with 100% meeting attendance for the past year), serves as a chamber ambassador, serves on and is vice-chair of the Crawford County Land Bank, is Treasurer of the Galion Depot Inc. Board, was a member and past President of the Galion School Board and was recently appointed by the City to serve on the Egbert M. Freese Foundation Board.
