Elyria Foundry marks 120 years this month

The Elyria Foundry celebrates its 120th anniversary this month and the city recognized the company on Monday for its place in local history and its continued success. Mayor Kevin Brubaker read a proclamation during the Elyria City Council meeting to recognize the anniversary of one of the city's oldest businesses still in operation and to thank its current leadership for continuing to invest in and support the city. "For more than 120 years, Elyria Foundry has stood as a pillar of strength in the community and the industry," Brubaker read from the proclamation on Monday. The Elyria Foundry, 120 Filbert St., produces iron castings for myriad industries and employs more than 200 people. Brubaker invited Elyria Foundry President Brian Wright, Senior Human Resources Director Summer Taylor and Director of Environmental, Health and Safety Nathan Goldowski to stand beside him while he read his proclamation. "I can speak for the entire Elyria Foundry leadership team that we are very proud to be able to tell our customers that we manufacture products here in Elyria, Ohio," Wright said. "We appreciate the partnership and the support we have from the city of Elyria; the fire, the police (and) the building department to mention a few. We are working hard to provide that same support back to the community and the people within it." Founded in July 1905, the Elyria Foundry initially provided iron castings for primarily the machine tool and gas engine industry, but it has expanded to many other fields over the last 100 years. In 2008, the company merged with an even older one; the Hodge Foundry in Greenville, Pennsylvania, which opened in 1876. The two foundries are now known collectively as Elyria Foundry. Today, Elyria Foundry says on its website that it is the only company in North America capable of producing all grades of both gray and ductile iron castings ranging from 20 to 20,000 pounds. Brubaker said that the Foundry is immersing itself in the community by partnering with the Lorain County Joint Vocational School to offer manufacturing training opportunities to students. "With vision for the future, Elyria Foundry is investing in the next generation by partnering with the (JVS)," Brubaker said. "Offering immersive, hands-on training, inspiring local high school students to discover rewarding careers in advanced manufacturing." Wright said that the company was working to ensure that the Elyria Foundry would continue to provide jobs and service to the city into the future. "As I have shared with the mayor and his time on numerous occasions, we are in a very challenging industry," Wright said. "But, we are focusing to position this company for generations to come, right here in Elyria." Contact Owen MacMillan at (440) 329-7123 or omacmillan@chroniclet.com.