First, arm yourself with knowledge and get the experience

The 1961 Tri-State College BSME graduate added an MBA and BSME from Michigan State University to his education arsenal before accepting a job with his father’s business in Albion, Mich. With annual sales of $300,000 when Ralph Trine joined the family business, Vestil Manufacturing Corp. moved to Angola in 1982.

The company, which initially offered two products for the automotive industry, now offers over 5,000 different items in the area of dock, drum, and material handling equipment, as well as ergonomic solutions. Over 250 employees and 500,000 square feet of warehouse and manufacturing space combine for the engineering and production of new products, 204 of which will be introduced to customers by February 2008.

Entrepreneurs risk mixing it up

Looking back on the evolution of Vestil Manufacturing, Trine talked about the entrepreneurial spirit and the importance of risk taking, especially at the small business level. “You wear a lot of hats, and it’s a bread-and-butter risk,” he said. “You wear many faces—one for the customers, the suppliers, the employees, and the bank. There are many areas of responsibility in which to calculate the risk that going different avenues will take. You ask, ‘Where are the risks, and how do you overcome them to minimize failure?’ And if you’re careful enough, you will avoid failure. A little luck also helps.”

Assessing and reducing risks, coupled with research, allows companies to adapt in order to change and grow, he said. After redefining his company, he then expanded in two directions: distribution and product offerings. “We’ve seen what works in Europe, and we’re bringing those ideas here. We use the international market to measure what we do. And we listen to customers,” he said.

When you’re right, you’re right

As a result, Vestil now has manufacturing relationships with two affiliates in Mexico and has doubled sales through a Canadian partner. Construction of a 60,000-square-foot addition to the company’s Angola facilities began in the spring, creating 104 new jobs. The $8.2 million expansion is the second in three years in northeast Indiana.

Work is expected to begin on a new 200,000-square-foot manufacturing and warehouse facility in spring 2008.

Nathan Feltman, Indiana Secretary of Commerce and chief executive officer of the Indiana Economic Development Corp., has called the expansion “a great growth opportunity for northeastern Indiana and an indication of the quality workforce available to companies who choose to call Indiana home.” Also in the planning stage is a 100,000-square-foot facility in southern Wisconsin and the addition of 200,000 square feet to a Guangzhou, China operation.

Five years ago, Vestil added an all-terrain, powered wheelchair to its product offerings and now also manufactures pediatric equipment for handicapped children. The company has signed a contract with the Italian company ORMESA, the largest manufacturer of equipment for handicapped children in Europe, to become its exclusive U.S. agent.

“There’s a big market there, and it’s very exciting,” Trine said. The changes emphasize his business philosophy: “You get stagnant quickly if you don’t evolve.”

Entrepreneurs and philanthropy

Entrepreneurs can’t operate without the support of their communities, and the Trine family has rewarded that support richly through donations and contributions to TSU, the state, and the community.

They established the Trine Welcome Center in Forman Hall, and created the railway theme in Centennial Station, a gourmet café. The Trine Villas were made possible by the family’s investment, allowing TSU to offer modern student housing. This year, they became the university’s largest single contributors.

The crowning donation to the community and state is the family’s gift of the Oakhill Conference and Retreat Center, 203 acres of woods, lakes, rustic cabins and buildings, to Pokagon State Park. The land includes rare natural resources like the blue flag iris and mature oak trees at its site north of Angola.

“It’s important to take time to look at where you have been and what lies ahead,” Ralph Trine said of his philanthropy. “In looking back, I can see how important Tri-State has been to me and my family. My belief is that my contributions of time and money will enable others to improve their lives through education. My belief in contributing the Oakhill property for a state park is to give my family and the public in general access to nature and its wonders.”