Commercial and industrial sales represent about 45 percent of the cooperative’s annual kilowatt-hour sales. These small businesses are economic drivers in their communities, and it’s critical the cooperative delivers reliable and affordable service to protect the jobs they provide.
Every two years, the Operations Department hosts a system tour for the board, and this year’s tour conducted in late March focused on Crawford and Richland counties, specifically New Washington — the cooperative’s little manufacturing hub. They toured The Herald printing company, Wurm’s Woodworking, Schroeder Grain Farm and Tiffin Equipment. 
The Herald
The Herald has been in business since 1881. Under the guidance of owner Dave Stump, who is in his 40th year with The Herald, assuming ownership in 2002, The Herald has evolved from the days of letter press and linotype to digital printing. Stump said the company had to retool over the past decade to remain competitive, as the number of printers in the United States has declined from 50,000 to 20,000. It has 44 employees and handles printing for the State of Ohio (tax forms), the NFL and NASCAR, to name a few customers. It continues to publish New Washington’s weekly newspaper, The Herald. 
Wurm’s Woodworking
Wurm’s Woodworking is another New Washington business that has used its know-how to remain competitive and vibrant. Before the recession, the company was heavily tied to the marine industry. Now it is manufacturing point-of-purchase displays for retail stores and consoles for the heavy truck industry. Its products are primarily used in the production and assembly of medical equipment, office furniture and retails displays. One of its niche market areas is golf cart seats. 
Wurm’s Woodworking is a second- and third-
generation family-owned business that began in 1947. It employs 50 with a second establishment in Jackson Center. 
Schroeder’s Grain Farm
Schroeder’s Grain Farm is located in Richland County. In business since 1956, the Schroeders farm 12,000 acres in five counties. In 2014, they harvested 1.5 million acres of dry corn and soy beans. Using today’s technology, they can plant 1,500 acres in a day and have the capability of drying 9,000 bushels per hour. 
They recently worked with North Central to convert their power supply to underground service and update their transformers. They have seven full-time employees, a number that will swell to 30 during planting season and harvest. 
Tiffin Environmental
After a lunch at the renovated Cranberry Hills Golf Course and Restaurant, the group toured Tiffin Environmental Products just outside of New Washington on Route 103.   
    Ron Ransom and Tiffin Environmentals are new to North Central lines, opening last May. However, Ransom brings 40 years of experience as a steel fabricator, including aluminum and stainless steel. They also have a dust collector line.