Three generations of the Rutkowski family are shown here, including ISM Founder and CEO Jim Rutkowski Sr. (front, center), his sons Jim Jr. (back, left) and Charlie (back, right) and daughter Ann Rutkowski-Marx (right). Jim Jr. is the general manger and treasurer at ISM; Charlie is vice president of Manufacturing, and Ann is the company’s secretary and business manager.
2609 West 12th Street Erie, PA 16505 814/833-9876 www.ismerie.com Jim Rutkowski Jr. is the general manager and treasurer of Industrial Sales & Manufacturing, Inc. (ISM), a third-generation, family owned contract manufacturer headquartered in Erie, Pennsylvania.
CO M PAN Y PR O FIL E
Local, Family Based Businesses Are Essential to Leading Us Back Toward Growth, Opportunity The bedrock of our economy locally, regionally and globally are family businesses. In the emotional roller coaster of today’s times, the values and principles of family businesses guide us in these days of uncertainty.
In the last few months, we have been able to keep our employees coming into work. We have secured jobs and orders that have provided stability for our teams and their families. In addition, in many cases, we are busier than we have been in a while.
A family business is by nature a generational collection of families that work together to provide parts and services. Industrial Sales & Manufacturing (ISM) is truly just that.
We truly applaud our employees, customers and community for stepping up to work together to forge a path forward in the coming months and years.
We are a full-service contract manufacturer of high quality component parts for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Our company provides a full array of Machining, Fabrication, Assembly, Testing and Finishing services. With more than 800 customers, and 50,000 unique parts produced, you can find ISM products around the world in everything from hospitals, windmills to locomotives. ISM’s full-service capabilities distinguish the company from its competitors. That, coupled with our focus on customer success is the engine behind our growth.
You see, this pandemic has served as a reset button for the entire world. It has broken a lot of business owners and companies out of the “loops” that they were in. Now, they are seeking new relationships, new opportunities, new support systems and new manufacturers.
The three generations of the Rutkowski family truly care about our team members and our customers. They are part of our family as well. As a community, we have got our work cut out for us. You and I both know that. Work is not a bad thing though. Recognizing opportunity in this pandemic is more a matter of perspective than anything else.
Therein lies our opportunity. Our humble community has its roots in manufacturing. We have a whole lot of untapped resources that the world does not know exist in their backyard. Right now is the time to mobilize those resources.
They need product to sell! We can help them with that. Now, my friend, is the time to let the world know that our community of local, family based businesses are here to help with their manufacturing. Sure, you might need to do more custom work. You might need to work more closely with retailers and distributers who are used to going internationally. However, if there is one thing that is certain: Now is the time that people are open to having those conversations! Our family’s commitment on Day One has been that service, quality and performance will get all of us collectively back on the path that will achieve growth that benefits our company, team members and the community in which we live. Pick up the phone. Hustle. Build relationships. Secure your future. And stay safe!
Disruptions to both national and international supply chains are happening daily in ways no one could imagine. Goods and services are needed and being sold online FASTER than ever been before. In addition, stateside vendors are running out of inventory because of metric based sourcing decisions that led them all over the globe!
mbabizmag.com • JUNE 2020
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