SIDNEY — Western Ohio Cut Stone completed its 25th year of operation in 2020 as a producer of architectural grade natural stone products. Thanks to dedicated staff and a loyal and growing customer base, the Company has grown and matured significantly in those years. Run from a manual check ledger and paper invoices from a single site in its first year, today the company is comprised of production operations in Seneca County, Shelby County and Miami County with a customer base that stretches from the local area to areas throughout the Midwest, East Coast and Mid Atlantic. The company also represents and sells natural stone products and natural thin veneer products of other producers from our warehouse and yard in Sidney
Brad Kinner, president, has submitted the folowing report:
2020 was a challenging year as the COVID-19 pandemic had its worldwide impact. Like most employers we had to make numerous adjustments to minimize disruptions while supporting staff needs. Nevertheless, our business saw steady demand above previous years’ orders. Homes and buildings across Ohio utilized these products to add beauty and a lasting legacy to these structures. Demand also stayed strong in our Eastern Pennsylvania and Mid-Atlantic markets.
Our retail sales from our Sidney yard were particularly strong as many people, staying at home more this year, engaged in home improvements. We continue to offer a full line of crushed stone, sand and gravel products. We also carry a full line of natural stone landscape, and building stone products and have added to these lines. This includes a full line of Mexican Beach Pebbles. We have also added a line of beautiful Ohio Sandstone Outcrop products that have been quite popular. A new offering for 2021 will be an easy-to assemble stone bench kit.
As we look to 2021, we remain optimistic about our prospects as we have good carryover volume coming into the new year. Residential construction in the United States, which is a big driver for our products, looks to be strong into 2021 as interest rates continue to be attractive for homebuyers, a positive sign for homeowners, builders and remodelers. We have started construction of a new 4,800 square foot facility from which to operate our thin stone production line at our Sidney location. We are confident that this will enhance our productivity and quality in this growing segment of our business.
