Daido Metal USA is a prominent player in the manufacturing world, particularly in the plain bearings industry. Founded in 1984, the company has spent the last four decades growing into a leading supplier of plain bearings across North America. The company's journey is deeply intertwined with the history of its parent company, Daido Metal Co., and its sister companies, particularly the Bellefontaine-based Daido Metal Bellefontaine. Daido Metal USA’s success is built on its strategic partnerships, continuous innovation, and a commitment to customer-centric solutions.
The turning point for the company came when its parent company entered into a technical agreement with T&N, a move that would significantly bolster Daido’s operations in North America. This agreement brought manufacturing know-how and sales support to the Bellefontaine facility, which ultimately became a major supplier for Honda. By 1997, a joint venture between Daido and its partners led to the creation of manufacturing bases in Bellefontaine and Atlantic, Iowa, cementing Daido's presence in the United States. A critical moment for Daido Metal USA occurred in 2005, when Daido Metal Co. acquired full ownership of the Bellefontaine factory. This move allowed them to shift from a sales-focused entity to a more holistic operation, providing engineering support and, eventually, warehousing and distribution of parts after the Bellefontaine factory closed in 2009. Since then, the Bellefontaine office has seen remarkable growth, expanding from 14 employees in 2009 to 72 by 2024. Daido’s Bellefontaine location has proven to be a valuable asset, offering both warehouse distribution and administrative support. The company's deep roots in Logan County have allowed it to tap into a skilled workforce, many of whom were previously employed by Daido’s sister company. Their strong Japanese and American collaboration and family-oriented culture have played a large role in employee retention and loyalty. They focus on treating their employees as an asset and meaningfully involve them as much as possible. Recently, Daido Metal USA celebrated their 40th anniversary with employees, business partners, friends and even special guests Chairman Mr. Hanji and his wife, Shizuyo Hanji from parent company Daido Metal Co. You can check out a special video for this big event made by Elle A. Design here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUsV6EifaZk .
Daido recognizes the need to diversify and grow in an ever-changing business environment and has recently begun expanding its marketing efforts. Daido is now focused on attracting new customers outside the automotive industry, promoting the versatility of its products for a range of applications. By attending social media and trade shows, Daido has found strategic partnerships with companies like Roush and Yates and is in the process of developing a dedicated website for its Bellefontaine office. The company’s business model is rooted in collaboration with customers, providing customized solutions rather than one-size-fits-all products. This tailored approach has been especially successful in the racing industry, where performance optimization is key. As Daido looks toward the future, the company is optimistic about continued growth and stability. Daido Metal USA continues to follow their slogan – “Dream – Hope – Challenge” – which helps the company to focus on expanding its reach into new markets and industries. With a strong foundation in place, Daido is well-positioned to continue its legacy of innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction for hundreds of years to come. Daido Metal USA has built an impressive legacy over the past 40 years. From its early beginnings in Illinois to its current role as a key player in the North American bearing industry, the company’s success has been driven by strategic partnerships, a commitment to quality, and a focus on customer collaboration. As it looks to the future, Daido is poised for continued growth and innovation, ensuring that its bearings will power the engines of industry and racing alike for many years to come.
Please join us in congratulating Daido Metal USA in being the Logan County Chamber of Commerce October Business of the Month!
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Since its beginning as a 25-bed, two-floor hospital, this not-for-profit health care organization continues to grow and expand – even far beyond Logan County. Their comprehensive and integrated system of inpatient, outpatient and community services is connected to meet all community members’ health and wellness needs. Mary Rutan’s locations and variety of specialists cover a five-county region that includes Logan, Champaign, Hardin, Shelby and Auglaize, making their services more accessible than ever. Mary Rutan Health offers over 40 specialties and is well-known for providing high quality, personalized care in orthopedics, general surgery, cardiology, obstetrics and gynecology, emergency medicine, urology, ENT and more! Their focus on personalized care ensures that you and your family receive the attention and treatment you deserve.
Mary Rutan Health is always working to improve access to and quality of healthcare in our community. A great example is how they recently partnered with C&A Benefits, Hickory Medical Direct Primary Care, and Prescription Bliss to help launch the innovative Logan County Health Plan in January of 2024. This plan provides a local medical insurance option for small and mid-size organizations that may not previously have been able to afford the highest quality coverage for their employees. The plan enables access to top tier medical care by leveraging the strength of local healthcare options and bypassing some of the traditional major insurance companies.
Mary Rutan Health is excited about the future, particularly in the area of provider recruitment. 2024 has been a successful year in bringing on board experienced and skilled professionals, including specialists in pain management, primary care, pediatrics, podiatry, orthopedics, cardiology, addiction treatment, and more. In the coming months, the organization looks forward to welcoming additional specialists, further enhancing their comprehensive healthcare services. Mary Rutan Health is always on the lookout for top-notch individuals to join their team. With more than 1,000 team members and endless opportunities for growth and support, they offer the area’s most competitive wages and benefits. Interested candidates can find a complete list of open positions and industry-leading benefits online at www.maryrutan.org/careers.
Mary Rutan Health’s century-long journey is a testament to its unwavering commitment to providing exceptional healthcare. As they continue to evolve and expand, their dedication to the community remains at the forefront of everything they do. With a focus on personalized care, innovative techniques, and community engagement, Mary Rutan Health is poised to continue serving Logan County and beyond for many years to come. Please join us in congratulating Mary Rutan Health as the Logan County Chamber of Commerce September 2024 Business of the Month! For half a century, Transportation Research Center has stood at the forefront of automotive research and development. In 1968, Ohio’s then-Governor James A. Rhoades advocated for the purchase of 8,100 acres of farmland in the area with a vision to create a state-of-the-art transportation test track and research center in rural Logan and Union counties. The goal was to position Ohio as a central hub for automotive research, attract manufacturers to the state, and boost its economy. The choice has proven beneficial, as the location has allowed TRC to grow and expand its capabilities over the years, attracting a global client base and making significant contributions to the local economy. Since its official dedication in July 1974, TRC has evolved into a comprehensive testing facility with a diverse range of capabilities and professional expertise. They are proud to be an independent partner of the world’s leading automotive and technology companies, helping them test and perfect their products, while making their operations more cost effective. Thousands of clients and decision makers from every sector (government, industry, research, education) have partnered with the researchers, engineers and drivers at TRC to test and refine their newest innovations. Today, they also continue to help their clients evolve with the new technologies of automated driving systems and connected vehicles. Today, TRC employs nearly 500 professionals, including engineers, test drivers, research scientists, and other specialists. The facility operates 24/7 across its 4,500-acre campus, which boasts closed-road courses, rural lanes, a 7.5-mile high-speed oval test track, and over 70 acres dedicated to vehicle dynamics. Over the past 50 years, automotive innovations like airbags, anti-lock brakes, lane assist, and adaptive cruise control were all tested at TRC before they appeared on American roadways. The unique marketing strategy of Transportation Research Center revolves around their proven track record of helping clients advance their automotive technologies through comprehensive testing and research services. Their state-of-the-art facilities, extensive expertise and collaborative approach is leveraged to deliver tailored solutions to each and every client. This client-centric approach, combined with dedication to quality and continuous improvement, has cemented TRC’s reputation as a leader in automotive research and development. This solid reputation has not gone unnoticed, as TRC was recently named Large Business of the Year by the Union County Chamber. CEO Brett Roubinek was also named by Smart Business Magazine an Ohio Smart 50 Awards honoree. TRC recently ranked as one of Central Ohio’s Top Workplaces by Columbus CEO Magazine and USA Today. On top of this recognition, they were also awarded the Cultural Excellence Award by Columbus CEO Magazine where employees ranked TRC as exceeding expectations in Work-Life Balance, Compensation & Benefit, and Leadership & Innovation. If you know someone interested in helping shape the future of transportation, the Transportation Research Center offers a number of exciting career opportunities. Positions available include Autonomous Test Engineers, Test Conductors, Engineering Technicians, Self-Driving Vehicle Operators, Autonomous Specialists, and Research Engineers. With competitive wages and excellent benefits, TRC is an ideal “ground zero” workplace for those passionate about innovation. Interested candidates can find more information and apply on the TRC website: www.trcpg.com As an example of TRC’s forward-looking mindset, they are anticipating significant upgrades being made at their highly regarded Impact Laboratory, thanks to a new $25 million economic development grant from the State of Ohio. Research conducted in the Impact Laboratory has made crucial, lifesaving contributions to highway safety advances over the years and TRC is grateful to state leaders who share the commitment to keeping this go-to resource for auto safety research.
Transportation Research Center Inc. has been a cornerstone of innovation for the past 50 years. With a rich history, a dedicated team, and a forward-looking approach, TRC continues to make significant contributions to the automotive industry and the broader community. As the center gears up for the future, it remains committed to excellence, safety, and innovation, ensuring a brighter and safer future for transportation worldwide. Please join us in congratulating Transportation Research Center as being the Logan County Chamber of Commerce August 2024 Business of the Month! A significant part of customer service is engaging with your customers. Interacting with your customers shows that you have an adequate understanding of what good customer service is. Good customer service will make your customers feel less like they are just around to give away their money, and more like they are a priority, reminding them that they add value to your business. Knowing how to treat your customers will be very beneficial in the long run!
Why engage with customers? Relationships: By engaging with your customers, you will build new relationships with people. This could simply be with customers that you see on a regular basis, or even business professionals within the community! Forming new connections will eventually lead to building relationships. New connections can provide you with new ideas, resources, and perspectives. Having a relationship with your customers is what will make them want to come back. Customers will be more inclined to visit your establishment and spend their time and money there if they have a relationship with you. To build relationships, you must engage with customers. Loyalty: Consistently interacting with your customers allows you to build trust. This also plays a part in building relationships with your customers. If your customers can trust that you will provide what they need, have prices that they can afford, and can help answer any questions they might have then they will continue to go back to you. Their loyalty to you means that you always have customers you can count on, even when times get tough! Satisfaction: The satisfaction of your customers is your highest priority. Satisfied customers mean repeating customers! Part of customer satisfaction is engaging with customers. Figure out what the want/need, why they are stopping in, etc. Engaging with them will show that you want them to have a good experience, and that all their questions are being answered without them even having to ask! High customer satisfaction also boosts customer retention! How do you engage with customers? 1.Social Media Many people use social media on a daily basis. Social media is a great tool to engage with new and returning customers. Making frequent posts on social media and staying active lets your customers know what’s going on with your business without you having to directly tell them. Though not everyone is active on social media, many of the younger generations are, and as social media is used more and more by future generations it will become even more of a useful tool. For example, One-Eyed Cookie Lab stays active on Facebook. Posting multiple times a week, listing all products that will be sold, along with pictures of their sweet treats to provide a visual. Posting regularly and utilizing social media makes engaging with customers quick and easy. 2.Reward System Creating some type of rewards system shows that you are engaging with customers. Making customers feel special and important to your business will make them want to come back… which also means you will have customers loyal to you! Six Hundred is an example of a business implementing a rewards system in the community. At Six Hundred, returning customers can receive $10 off after spending a certain amount. This type of engagement is a great way to give back to your customers. 3.Personalized Shopping A meaningful way to engage with customers is by personally addressing customers. Introduce yourself and use their name while interacting with them. Personalized shopping will let customers know their needs are being met, while catering to the needs of individuals rather than customers as a whole. This could include custom orders, making specific product recommendations, etc. This creates a unique experience with the customer. At High-Point Graphics you will always have a personalized experience. With custom orders, banners, embroidery, and much more you are guaranteed to be taken care of as an individual. 4.Feedback Encourage feedback! Always ask for honesty from your customers as it can help your business. This could be through emailed surveys, “Tell us how we’re doing” QR codes on receipts, asking in person, social media comments/posts, website reviews, etc. Your customers’ opinions are so important, and by asking for their feedback shows them that what they think matters. Figuring out how you can enhance your customers’ experience can only be done if you know what they need from you! An example of receiving feedback is after making a purchase at Gathering Grounds, you can select a smiley face or a frowny face to express how your experience was. Actively asking for feedback allows you to engage with customers as you are allowing them to communicate how they feel you have done. 5.Mail/Email Sending out flyers, letters, or even new products that your business may have directly to your customers is an effective way to engage with them. Another great way to engage with customers is sending thank you letters or emails directly to them after making a purchase or even randomly. Showing your appreciation to your customers will show that you care about them and make them feel valuable! Four Acre Clothing sends out emails that inform customers when there are new products being released and any events they will be a vendor at. Sending out mail or setting up an email that customers can subscribe to is a great way to engage with you customers. 6.Events By hosting or participating in events, you can engage with many customers at once. Depending on your establishment, you can host many different types of events that cater to your business. These events could be holiday based events, deals your business may be having, or even events associated with First Fridays or any of the events Logan County has going on downtown! The Syndicate consistently hosts events. Nearly every weekend, there is live music open to all. By welcoming in the community and offering things that others can experience with you, you will more than likely have returning customers! Engaging with the community while giving them something to look forward to will be valuable to you and your business. There are many events that go on all throughout Logan County. To stay in the loop, check out: https://www.experiencelogancounty.com/events.html Engaging with your customers and taking the time to practice good customer service will benefit not only your customers but also your business. The experience that your customers have in your establishment is meaningful to them and will leave an impact! Customer service plays a huge role in starting your business and keeping it running. Customer service is how you engage with and support your customers. Being able to provide exceptional customer service to your customers will significantly help you and your business grow. When a business lacks good customer service, it will become difficult to have a consistent customer base. To have repeating customers, and customers in general, you must know how to provide good customer service.
What is “good” customer service? Good customer service means that you take care of your customers. You listen to their needs, and you choose to meet their needs by providing your goods and services. “Good” customer service isn’t just the bare minimum. It involves going above and beyond to make sure that your customers aren’t just making a payment and leaving. So, what exactly does customer service entail and why does it matter?
Listen to your customers: What do your customers want to purchase? What do they need from you? How much are they willing to spend? Listening to your customers is crucial in providing good customer service. Customers want to be heard, and they have a purpose for coming into your business. Customers will be much more satisfied if they feel as though they are being listened to. But if they believe that your business can’t meet their needs, they won’t come back. If they don’t agree with your prices, they won’t come back. Always listen to your customers! They will tell you their needs and wants! Greet your customers: Walking into a new business, you want to feel welcomed. A simple smile and “hi” is nice, but introducing yourself and getting to know your customer is more meaningful. If a customer feels uncomfortable or like they aren’t welcomed, they might not give you business. If a customer experiences poor customer service they most likely won’t be returning customers. Building relationships: Establishing relationships with your customers will be extremely beneficial to not only your customer, but to you as well. These relationships mean that you will have repeating customers, that will tell you how they feel. This also goes back to listening to your customers, as whenever you truly listen to your customers, they will tell you what they want to see. Feedback and suggestions from these formed relationships will help you and your business grow. Building relationships also means loyalty. These repeating customers will be loyal to you and your business, which will aid in the growth of your business. Engaging with customers: Greeting your customers is huge, but so is engaging with your customers. You don’t want to just greet them once and never talk to them again. Initiating conversations with customers shows that you are happy to have them in your establishment. Engagement will ultimately lead to an improved perception of your business. People are more willing to come into a business if they feel seen and valued. By engaging with your customers, you are showing that you care about them and not just the business that they do with you. Invite your customers back: Always invite your customers to come back! Give them a business card, remind them of the store hours, have them follow your socials, sign them up with emails, etc. Telling them to come back is important, but you also need to give them a reason to come back. By offering occasional deals or discounts, bringing in new merchandise or products, people will be more inclined to stop in again. By inviting your customers back, you will make them feel welcomed and give them the impression that they came to the right place. Customer service will influence customer buying behavior. If you cannot offer good customer service, then you may struggle finding repeating, loyal customers. Enhancing your customer service skills will help your customers have the best experience and will assist in the growth of your business. For over 16 years, Elle A. Design has been a pillar of creativity and innovation in Logan County. What began as a one-woman operation has blossomed into a thriving design studio known for its unique blend of artistic flair and technical expertise. Lindsey McGlone, the Owner and Creative Director of Elle A. Design, discovered her love for art at five years old. This early passion for creativity laid the foundation for what would eventually become a successful design studio. Lindsey always knew she wanted to be an artist, and in 2008, she turned her lifelong dream into a reality by founding Elle A. Design. Initially, Lindsey managed everything on her own, dedicating countless hours to her craft and her clients. Eight years into her journey, she decided to take a leap of faith by hiring a teammate – Chelsea Bray, Lead Designer and Copywriter. This decision marked a turning point for Elle A. Design, as Chelsea’s talent and dedication brought a new dimension to the studio - Lindsey says that Chelsea has become her right-hand girl and that hiring her has been one of the best decisions she has made. The team continued to grow, adding Lane Yoder as a Designer, Photographer and Videographer and most recently, Kate Powell as a Designer. Together, they have transformed Elle A. Design into a full-fledged brick-and-mortar studio, serving hundreds of clients not only in Logan County but across the country.
Why should I get involved?
Involvement in your community shows dedication and commitment to your business and the people you serve. Whether you’re a newer business, or your business has been around for a while, it’s never too late to get involved! How can I get involved with the community? There are so many ways to get involved with the community. Think about what you want out of your connections in the community. Do you want to meet new people? Give back to those in need? Offer your expertise to others? Or just have fun and relax? Consider your desired outcome to help guide your next steps.
What are the benefits to getting involved? By getting involved in the local economy, you are making an impact, whether it would be big or small. Volunteering and getting involved gives your business the chance to give back to the community, while giving you a feeling of gratification. When your business makes a positive impact, you also create a positive image for your brand. Volunteering in the community also opens opportunities to network and make connections with whomever you are volunteering with/for. Getting involved won’t harm your business - there are no downsides. Start getting involved to help you and your business expand and grow! Networking helps contribute to professional development, builds and strengthens relationships, all while allowing you to connect with new resources. Regularly attending networking events and connecting with the community will be extremely beneficial to you as you work on growing your business. Here are some ways networking will help your business flourish:
1. New Connections By networking and attending events within the community, you can build professional, long-lasting relationships and make connections that will add value to you and your business. These relationships can aid you when times are tough, or they can even just be familiar faces that you see on a regular basis. The Chamber hosts regular networking events, including our First Thursday Coffee each month at various coffee shops around Logan County. 2. New Resources Your new connections that you make can help you gain new perspectives, while also providing you with new knowledge. By bouncing ideas off one another, businesses can help each other grow by sharing their expertise. Our quarterly Member Meet & Greets are a great way to get to know other business owners and leaders who can aid you in ways you might not have known about! 3. Be More Visible Networking will ultimately lead to more visibility. Making it known that you are out in the community and representing your business will make more people knowledgeable of you and your business. When people are looking for a product or service, you want to be the first one to come to mind! 4. Positive Image Regularly attending professional events will show that you are involved and willing to make an appearance in the community. This creates a positive image for not only you but also your business! 5. Increased Opportunities Your involvement and connections will give you more opportunities. You may be offered certain job advice, and new doors may open up after networking. This is especially true for our Young Professionals events held throughout the year. What are some ways you can network within the community? There are endless ways that you can network within the community. This could be grabbing coffee with a neighboring business, popping into a new store to introduce yourself, or even simply connecting with a business via social media or email. Keeping up to date with events in Logan County is a great way to network. Getting involved – and staying involved – will allow you and your business grow. Stay up to Date with all of the Chamber’s networking opportunities! https://members.logancountyohio.com/events Key Points
Importance of Safety Training
Employing these strategies will lead to more effective safety training programs, ultimately enhancing workplace safety and compliance. |
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