EODA honors Gradall of New Philadelphia with Excellence Award in Manufacturing

During the recent Eastern Ohio Development Alliance annual meeting, several honors were given out including one to Gradall Industries, a New Philadelphia-based company that is currently celebrating its 80th anniversary.

EODA is a nonprofit organization that works to promote economic growth and regional cooperation across 16 counties in Eastern and Southeastern Ohio.

EODA presented Gradall Industries with the Excellence Award in Manufacturing as part of its annual meeting.

The alliance brings together leaders from businesses, local governments, education, tourism, workforce development and nonprofit organizations to support projects that improve infrastructure, attract businesses, strengthen the workforce, encourage tourism and enhance quality of life throughout the region.

EODA also recognizes businesses and community partners for economic development achievements and helps member counties collaborate on long-term regional development efforts, and Gradall captured one of its most prestigious honors.

“This year marks a monumental milestone for the company in celebrating 80 years of continuous operation, having pioneered the world’s first hydraulic excavators in 1946,” said Scott Robinson, director of the Tuscarawas Chamber of Commerce.”

Created in 1947 in Cleveland by the Warner & Swasey Co., Gradall Industries came to New Philadelphia in 1950 when production outgrew the Cleveland facility. Since then its manufacturing, engineering, sales, parts and product support have been in New Philadelphia.

Gradall engineered a massive alteration in heavy equipment, becoming the first to use hydraulic power rather than cables. Since then every Gradall product produced has come out of the New Philadelphia facility, which now employs nearly 400 full-time employees.

“A true leader in the industry, Gradall holds the distinction of being the only — I stress only — excavator brand produced exclusively and completely in the United States,” Robinson said. “We’re proud to celebrate their legacy of domestic manufacturing excellence and their deep roots in our community.”

Mike Popovich, president of Gradall, accepted the award and said on behalf the company, it is an honor to receive such a prestigious award.

In defining the business’ success, Popovich paraphrased an adage from Sir Isaac Newton: “If I see further, it’s because I stand on the shoulders of giants.” He made that statement in praise of the many people who helped build Gradall into what it is today.

“It’s always a nice honor to get something from your community, the community we live and work in,” Popovich said. “Oftentimes, you get so focused on the business we don’t see the impact you have locally. But we have a lot of employees who feed back into the community and impact this entire region. In some cases we have fourth-generation employees. That is something to be very proud of, and it’s the team that makes things happen every single day at Gradall.”

Popovich said being a pillar in the community is an important part of what Gradall represents, saying while they take pride in creating excellence in their products, the people of Gradall are what truly matter the most.

“Everything we do, everything we focus on and build here, and the success of the company rebounds back to the community in a positive way,” Popovich said. “If we’re successful, the community feels that and benefits too. Realistically, you’re always working hard to be successful so everyone can enjoy that success.”

He said since the pandemic the company has been blessed to experience major growth every single year.

Part of that growth included the purchase of a small cleaning truck company that had gone bankrupt. Gradall changed the name to Vacall, and since then it has taken flight and become two-thirds of the company’s business.

“We are now the fastest grower in the vacuum truck industry in America,” Popovich said. “We were able to leverage our excavator expertise with that, and there are many similarities that made the transition smooth.”

In celebrating 80 years, Popovich said the company’s success remains firmly set in the quality of the products being built. He said it has a major niche in the nation, and when people hear Gradall, they know exactly what to expect.

Gradall remains one of the most respected and recognized name brands in the construction industry, and Popovich said building quality equipment that lasts continues to be important.