Leadership Highland explored local manufacturing by visiting several area businesses on Feb. 26. The tour explored businesses in both Hillsboro and Greenfield.
David Higgins of Higgins Steel Roofing provided a guided tour of the warehouses at the business. Higgins demonstrated several metal presses that custom form orders for customers. Participants learned that currently the most popular color being used in metal construction is black and that Higgins Steel Roofing custom makes orders daily for customers.
Next, participants met with Todd Wilkin, city manager for the village of Greenfield. Wilkin led the group on a tour of the Greenfield Industrial Park, local historical sites, and planned improvements to one of the parks. The Greenfield Industrial Park is one of two industrial parks in Highland County.
While in Greenfield, Leadership Highland toured Greenfield Exempted Village School District’s McClain High School with Jason Potts, McClain High School principal. Built by Edward McClain, the high school features a large collection of murals, artwork and history.
The final stop of the day was a tour of Weastec. Leadership Highland learned about the daily operations of the facility, where automotive parts are tested before being sent to vehicle manufactures. Jim Tomko provided a presentation about the global presence Toyodenso Company, Weastec’s parent company. Toyodenso has facilities in the United States, Japan, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Taiwan, United Kingdom and Germany.
For more information about Leadership Highland, or other OSU Extension programs, contact the OSU Extension office in Hillsboro at 937-393-1918.
Brooke Beam, Ph.D., is an agriculture and natural resources/community development dducator, College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, OSU Extension Highland County.
