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Key people at Progress Wire Products.
Progress Wire Products specializes in the custom fabrication of steel wire products, including wire grids, mesh, forms, displays, guards, and industrial baskets for diverse applications. The company employs state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment, such as CNC straight and cut machines, CNC wire forming, and CNC mesh welders, to produce components precisely engineered to customer specifications. Their integrated approach leverages in-house design and advanced production techniques to deliver high-quality, customized wire solutions.
Founded in 1953 by MIT graduate Mike Folberth, the company began by developing specialty fabricated wire products for the Cleveland area, with Folberth personally designing and building initial manufacturing equipment. Tom Harman acquired Progress Wire in 1982 upon Folberth's retirement, expanding its customer base significantly. Subsequent leadership, including Tom's son Mac and later plant manager Dave Agard, further evolved the company, notably through early adoption of internet marketing strategies.
Progress Wire Products serves original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) across various sectors, including HVAC and retail, with a focus on custom-designed wire fabrications. The company's vision centers on consistently providing quality fabricated steel wire products efficiently and competitively. They aim to be a continuous leader in the wire fabrication market by solving complex steel wire applications for their clientele.
Key people at Progress Wire Products.
Progress Wire Products is a veteran-owned U.S. manufacturer specializing in custom fabricated steel wire products, including wire forms, baskets, grids, mesh, fan guards, displays, hooks, hangers, cable trays, and protective guards.[2][3][5] Based in Ashland, Ohio (with a Cleveland address listed), the company serves diverse industries such as manufacturing, electronics, defense, and consumer goods by producing durable, precision-engineered wire solutions tailored to customer specifications.[1][2][3][5] It solves challenges in structural support, protection, and display needs with high-quality, on-time deliveries at competitive prices, leveraging skilled craftsmanship and modern equipment for growth through acquisitions and operational efficiency.[3][4][5][6]
Founded in 1953, Progress Wire Products has operated for over 70 years as a leader in fabricated wire products from its Ashland, Ohio facility.[3][4][6] The company evolved through consistent generational ownership, maintaining expertise in custom wire fabrication while expanding via strategic acquisitions, such as purchasing the fan guard business from Horton, which bolstered its market position with added equipment and sales channels.[4] Under current leadership including General Manager and partner Dave Agard—backed by Tahoma, the parent entity—Progress has sustained continuity of skilled personnel, adapting to challenges like the 2020 COVID-19 "Stay at Home" order by qualifying as an essential business.[3][4]
Progress Wire Products rides the trend of precision manufacturing resurgence, supporting industries requiring robust, custom components amid rising demand for durable materials in defense, electronics, and infrastructure—exemplified by its work in fan guards, shielding, and protective meshes.[1][2][5] Timing aligns with supply chain localization post-COVID, where U.S.-based essential manufacturers like Progress gained resilience by staying operational during disruptions.[3] Market forces favoring it include growth in defense spending for anti-drone systems and enclosures, plus industrial needs for corrosion-resistant wires in harsh environments, positioning it as a reliable domestic supplier in a globalized wire products ecosystem.[1][5]
Progress Wire Products is poised for steady expansion through its acquisition strategy, potential diversification into high-growth areas like defense meshes and electromagnetic shielding, and Lean efficiencies amid U.S. manufacturing incentives.[1][4][5] Trends like automation in wire forming and sustainable coatings will shape its path, potentially amplifying influence via Tahoma partnerships for integrated solutions in machining and plastics.[4] As a humanized staple since 1953—now essential and innovative—it remains the go-to for precision wire reliability in an increasingly demanding industrial landscape.[3][6]
