On Monday, August 10, 2020, Congressman Bob Latta started his day outside of the Paulding courthouse, where he shared a brief history of the significance of the township of Paulding. Shortly thereafter, he visited Spartech’s facility in Paulding County, which started producing plexiglass to meet the new demands of the coronavirus. Spartech is a leading plastics manufacturer with manufacturing facilities across the United States. Plexiglass can be used as protective barriers in schools, grocery stores, retail outlets, etc. to help keep people safe. Tim Copsey, Director of Paulding County Economic Development, Inc., joined the Congressman during this visit, as well as his next visit to R&B Fabrications.
R&B Fabrications is a 49-year-old sewing company based in Paulding County that specializes in products related to fire safety, emergency medical services, and personal protective equipment bags. They use American-made materials and sew all their products in Northwest Ohio. These products are essential for protecting those on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic. The Congressman was able to see their operations first hand and met with Dan and Ron Eakins, President and Vice President of R&B Fabrications respectively (pictured), and Judy Eakins, Project Manager. (Duke Eakins, their pup and mascot, was also in attendance).
Congressman Latta then traveled to Van Wert where he visited KAM Manufacturing and Universal Lettering, which share a building on Grill Road in Vision Industrial Park. KAM Manufacturing Inc. is a family business that has been in the Van Wert Community since 1983. Recently, they have been using their cut-and-sew business to produce personal protective equipment products for those in need. Universal Lettering has retooled it’s cut and sew operation in Ohio to produce PPE equipment to help slow the spread of Covid-19. Additionally, they designed the first Future Farmers of America Jacket in 1933 and still remain the primary supplier of the FFA Jacket. After these visits, the Congressman shared a brief history of Van Wert outside of the courthouse in Van Wert.
