A 'Tip' of the hat

NEW LONDON — This year, a local business is celebrating its 60th anniversary in operation. Based in New London, Tip Products, a manufacturer of wire harnesses, offers help for people in designing their wiring assemblies. "We have a vast inventory of wire, terminals and connector housings to meet your design needs," according to a company statement. Reflecting on its history, company president Dave Finley provided some background, context and insight into Tip Products: In the spring of 1965, Tip Products was started by four friends and business associates. The idea came up to start a wire harness manufacturing company. They all agreed to put some collateral together to buy some equipment and materials. Through some other business friends, they were able to use 3,800 square feet in the back of that company. In another year and a half, they caught wind that, in a neighboring area, a business complex was being built. They were able to secure part of one of the buildings, utilizing 5,200 square feet. Over the course of Thanksgiving weekend, Tip moved into this space and began operations. Over the next 50 years, the company expanded within the same building and eventually had all 20,000 square feet. It got to the point that it would have to drag material outside to the dock to have room to manufacture that day. Wayne "Tom" Gielow and his wife, Rhonda, ran the company for a very long time. Tom, the longest employee of over 50 years, has since retired but still owns and has input on the activities of the company. In 1994, Dave Finley was hired as the company's general manager. Today he serves as company president. During the past 31 years, it has grown with leadership realizing more space was needed. Most notably, in 2020, amid COVID-19, the company made its biggest decision to date: It decided to find more space. After an exhausting search in the greater Cleveland area and surrounding cities, a decision was made to talk to Huron County and the village of New London, Finley's hometown. This turned out to be where Tip Products would find its new home: It secured property and built a 30,000-square-foot building with room to double if necessary for any expansion. In 2021, the company moved from Cleveland with the help of local carriers. In total, 19 tractor-trailer-sized loads transported all of the company's inventory and equipment. The company only missed four production days before it was back up and running. Since then, the company has finished its second renovation of the building's interior and added more equipment. Today Tip Products is one of the largest wire harness manufacturers in the tri-state area. We continue to grow at a responsible rate and feel our move to this area was a very good choice. We are happy to be a part of this community and would like to thank everyone for welcoming us. A special thanks to all our past and current employees for making us successful. People can learn more by visiting tipproducts.com.