Out of catastrophe came significant improvements and increased prosperity!
In 1968, catastrophe struck in the form of a fire that completely destroyed the portion of the building housing the forge shop and damaged the remainder of the structure.
From the beginning, the company was located in the East End of the City of Cincinnati, housed in a structure that was originally built as an ice house for the town of Columbia in the late 1800's. The destruction of the facility proved to be an opportunity. Insurance proceeds proved sufficient to rebuild and repair the building to a condition that was a significant improvement over the old structure. Damaged equipment was also repaired or replaced.
In the early 1970's the company's existence was again threatened by the City's plans to rebuild Columbia Parkway. Several plans were put forth which would have required the acquisition of the company's property for the right of way. Although none of the plans were ever implemented, it was not until the early 1980's that the uncertainty was ended when all plans for highway construction were dropped.
Once the worst of the uncertainty was over, the company continued to incrementally improve plant and equipment. New concrete flooring and a new office were constructed. Additional forging equipment was purchased to replace older equipment and to expand forging capabilities. New, modern technology heating furnaces were built to save fuel and handle more sophisticated alloy materials. All purchases were made with available cash. Mayer and Roth kept the company debt free.
In 1981-82, the economic picture changed dramatically as the U.S. entered a recession. John Roth, believing the decline of the U.S. manufacturing industry might mean the end of the business, advised his co-owner Howard Mayer that they sell the company. Mr. Mayer, having two sons who expressed interest in the business, offered to buy Mr. Roth's shares. A deal was arranged and Roth's shares were purchased. Simultaneously, Rob Mayer and John Mayer were brought into the company as significant minority shareholders.
While 1982 proved to be a year of losses, 1983 began a slow turnaround in the companies financial condition. During the five years 1983 to 1988, Howard F. Mayer retired and Rob Mayer became company President. John Mayer is a V.P. and Chief Engineer.
The company's financial health improved making plant and equipment purchases possible again. New and used machine tools have been purchased for the tool and die shop. A new furnace was purchased to allow the production of aluminum forgings. Additional forging equipment has been purchased to replace older machinery and extend capabilities. Computer hardware and software has been purchased to streamline office operations and add CAD capabilities.
The marketing strategy has remained essentially the same -- production of custom forgings with an emphasis on service. The company's customers still tend to be those forging buyers less interested in the purchase of forgings as a commodity than in the ability to obtain quick delivery and maintain "personalized" contact with their supplier. Company marketing tools have been improved with new sales literature, web site and continual upgrading of both services offered and quality of manufacturing capabilities.
Now Queen City Forging does custom forging of finished metal component parts. Queen City Forging does impression die forging, closed die forging, upset forging, drop forging, press forging and blacksmithing of alloys, steel, aluminum, stainless and brass. Queen City Forging also does pneumatic tool repair, impact tool repair and toolsmithing.
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