VM Systems Inc.

VM Systems' business was HVAC and spec work, while five percent was welded construction - commonly called "heavy metal." Recognizing the potential business in the Toledo area's "heavy metal" industrial market, Ron invested in a shop addition and equipment purchases, along with personnel selections, VM Systems steadily gained recognition in the Toledo market as a company that was not only a competent HVAC contractor, but also the one to call for any type of industrial application -- including design and build capabilities. Today VM Systems has more than 100 employees, most of them union sheet metal workers. More than a dozen people have been with the company for more than 20 years. VM Systems has continually logged more than triple the sheet metal hours worked per year over its nearest competitor. "I've created a snowball effect," Ron says. "It was very small when I started. As I have added employees, I have continued to work harder so I can give them 40 hours of work each week. It's my employees that have caused me to continue to grow. There never really has been a business plan, so to speak. I've been motivated by the fact that I have good workers out there who need steady employment."