Toledo Tool & Die investing $17M in facility

Toledo Tool & Die, headquartered and with operations in north Toledo,recently purchased a 157,000 square foot industrial facility in Pioneer, Ohio from the Kidtson family and is investing nearly $17 million into the operations and is creating 70 new jobs. It was formerly a steel processing operation for ArcelorMittal, a large integrated steel and mining business.

Pioneer Mayor Ed Kidston, whose family sold the industrial building, was pleased another family-oriented company has chosen Pioneer.

"In Pioneer, we have worked hard to keep taxes, utility rates and red tape regulations low. Our motto has always been to provide a robust, dependable infrastructure at the lowest possible cost and then get the heck out of the way and let private industry flourish and succeed. Having a fourth generation, successful family business, join our family in Pioneer is just icing on the cake," said Kidston.

Toledo Tool & Die was founded in 1940 by the Kujawa family and is still a family-run business. Tony Kujawa is president of the supplier to the automotive industry, which specializes in stamped parts.

Toledo Tool & Die is expected to have five new lines of metal presses at the Pioneer facility to serve the automotive industry, including Tesla. The plant features 30ton cranes and drive-through semi lanes that were ideal for the new purchaser, noted local officials. The company is growing rapidly and the new facility will accommodate its expansion.

According to Toledo Tool & Die, the company uses its range of knowledge in matters related to its field coupled with experience in manufacturing to achieve a low cost of production while maintaining a consistent level of quality among of products.

To do this, the company uses 3D software programs, including Visi-Design, Fast-Blank, and SolidWorks, which allows it to construct strip design layouts and other items before production even begins.

Toledo Tool & Die also implements certain automated tools designed to ensure overall consistency and reliability. Though much of the work accomplished at the company is done by hand, according to the business, it utilizes computer-aided CAD/CAM/CIM and CNC technologies to guarantee that every step of the process goes as smoothly as possible.

The company also uses a number of noncomputer-aided tools as well, which can simplify production and deliver a consistent level of performance. This includes an underground Vibro scrap system to remove waste generated during production; automated grommet insertion and servo feed system machines to streamline production, and more.

Lastly, according to Toledo Tool & Die, its die storage and retrieval system ensures that productivity remains high at all times and that its workers are never left without valuable resources and references.

Industrial Property Brokers (IPB) principal Tim Echemann, SIOR, CCIM, and colleague Ronald J. Jurgenson, SIOR, CCIM, senior vice president with Toledo-based Reichle Klein Group, represented the sellers of the steel processing plant in Pioneer-approximately 64 miles east of Toledo.

"Ron originally showed the building to Toledo Tool & Die to potentially sell some of the heavy equipment inside the building, specifically a stamping press. The fact that the building interior is already outfitted with heavy cranes was very attractive to Toledo Tool & Die, and they purchased the property and plan to start production in the facility in 2020," said Echemann, who originally sourced the property listing and then brought in Jurgenson to co-list it. They were the only brokers involved in the sale.

Industrial Property Brokers (IPB) is a full-service real estate company offering sales, leasing, investment analysis, tenant representation, corporate services, and property management throughout western Ohio and eastern Indiana. The firm specializes in secondary (Dayton, Columbus, Toledo, others) and tertiary markets in both states and currently has over 50 properties listed for sale or lease.