Industrial Incubator Hatches Another Success Story—by Mark Williamson

(January 2000 - Akron Beacon Journal) Western Reserve Controls, Inc., a manufacturer of electronic controls that got its start in the Akron Industrial Incubator in May of 1991, has graduated to its own facility. At his weekly news conference today, Mayor Don Plusquellic credited the Industrial Incubator and its director, Mike Lehere, with creating the proper environment to create new jobs in the city.

Mayor Plusquellic said, "Western Reserve Controls has seen steady growth since its beginnings in the Incubator complex when it was in the O'Neil's building. WRC has gone from a couple of employees to more than 35 and has gone from a relatively small operation to one that literally outgrew the Incubator. That's exactly what we want to see."

Mike Lehere said, "What began in 2,000 square feet in the original Incubator, grew to occupy 5,000 square feet when we moved to Canal Place. Now WRC is in a 15,000 square foot facility. I couldn't be happier with their progress."

Western Reserve's new facility is on Exeter Road off of Kelly Avenue in Southeast Akron. President Jim Barlow and Vice President for Technology Fred Billock started the company in 1990. By 1991, they acquired their current technology from Allen-Bradley Company. Production was gradually transferred from Taiwan to Akron with the introduction of expanded manufacturing processes. WRC President Jim Barlow said at the news conference, "Western Reserve has added new products every year and has grown from 40 outsourced products with 2 full-time employees, to more than 400 manufactured in Akron by a staff of 35. Without the help of the Industrial Incubator, we would not have the success we enjoy today."

In December of 1996 and again in 1997, WRC was honored as one of the fastest growing companies in Northeastern Ohio. Case Western Reserve University's Weatherhead School of Management gives the Weatherhead 100 Outstanding Growth Companies award in association with the regional Enterprise Development Company. In addition, the Cascade Development Authority of Summit County recognized WRC as an Outstanding Company.

With the exception of one year, WRC has grown every year since its founding.

Western Reserve Controls is a manufacturer of data acquisition subsystems, signal conditioning components and products supplied to the industrial and commercial controls industries. Typical customers include machinery builders; control system engineering firms; heating, ventilation and air conditioning companies; manufacturing plants; motion, logic and process control manufacturers; amusement parks and others.