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News > Newsletter Articles > 2011
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The Long View on Class of 2012 Business Day
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The day kicked off at Tri-C Brunswick campus, thanks to classmate Terry Hradek with a message from Ed McKeon of Western Reserve Bank and Mayor Gary Werner. Our coffee kicked in just in time to arrive at IMT (Integrated Marketing Technologies) for a tour of this bursting-at-the-seams warehouse and printing facility. Jeff Wood, president, introduced us to the company.
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Although he said it much more eloquently, the gist of it was 1) We never say "no" to a customer ... we just figure out a way and 2) They became really good at telling their customers they can do something better than customer. Although a lot of companies may have been built on a similar philosophy, when you have custom Sutter Home and Sky Vodka advertising campaign materials as decorations, it proves you must have done something right.
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Each stop on the tour built on the last one. Not only were we impressed with Root Candle Company's delicate balance between retaining the handmade process and utilizing the latest technology, our subsequent stop at Quasimoto might has well been stepping out of Medina's past into Medina's future. One can only imagine what it was like to be in the presence of brilliant, generous and visionary A.I. Root until meeting Christopher Gerding, the mastermind behind Quasimoto Interactive. Both companies were built on an idea, an entrepreneurial spirit, a niche in the market and a sincere commitment to the success of Medina County.
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Other than computer software, another difference is the involvement of Chris' business partner and wife, Jessica Fuller, whom he credits for the fast-paced direction of their company. If you haven't heard the story of Quasimoto, I'll give you the highlights without giving it away. It involves a little boy who loves video games and grows up to turn a tragedy into an opportunity to advance modern technology at arcades, convenience stores and movie theaters. The ending is not yet written.
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Although the bankers among us were a little uneasy with all the empty space Quasimoto has available to grow their business - the rest of us were inspired by their outlook. And the last stop, EBO Group, put things in perspective. This innovative business may have had looked similar several years ago: production in the front of the house with acres of concrete to fill. EBO appears to have practically outgrown its facility - literally bursting with ideas.
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While we appreciated learning about engineering and producing parts for the mining industry and solar technology, their most recent innovation of a motorized stretcher chair took the prize. Designed to reduce, if not eliminate, the need to transfer patients during short-term or outpatient procedures, Transmotion Medical (an EBO Group brand), has clearly addressed a need in the medical industry. EBO Group's employee-owned and objective-driven model could have been the entire presentation, and we would have been impressed.
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| Business and industry day was filled with inspiring moments, examples of leadership and out-of-the box thinking. View pictures. |
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