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History:
Joe Urban was a Swiss immigrant who moved to Galion, Ohio from New York City prior to WWII. Although a commercial photographer by profession, Joe never stopped looking for the "right" opportunity. When Joe developed a self-supporting aluminum awning, he recognized this was his opportunity and formed Urban Industries to manufacture Urban Awnings. In 1949 Joe broke ground for a new factory which he subsequently expanded seven times during the 50's. By 1957 Urban Industries employed over 60 people and Joe opened a second plant in Azuza California. In 1963 Joe Urban died unexpectedly and Jacque Jones purchased Urban Industries.
Over the next 13 years Urban Industries' sales slowly declined. In 1976 Ed Rieke and two partners purchased the struggling company. With careful attention to detail, frugal budgeting and hard work, they were able to turn the company around. In 1976 Urban was down to 6 employees and had limited sales. As time passed it became apparent the partners did not share the same vision for Urban Industries. In 1981 a new Urban Industries emerged led by Ed Rieke, president, Ray Lyons, vice-president of sales and marketing, and Brian Thebeault, vice-president of manufacturing.
Urban Industries has grown from a "me too" accessory manufacturer for manufactured housing to an aggressive corporation willing to evaluate all opportunities. Slowly Urban Industries began to shift from manufactured housing to home improvement. In 1990 Urban entered the automotive aftermarket with the Fastback and later the Slim Top Tonneau covers. In 1992 Urban opened it's Ameribag division for the manufacturing and importing of bulk bags for material handling. In 1998 Urban Industries began stamping and fabricating parts for the appliance and transportation industries. In 2001, Ned Rieke, the son of Ed Rieke, joined his father to help lead Urban Industries for the next generation. In 2002 Urban Industries began American Living as a specific dealer enclosure program. Diversification is Urban's goal.
Company Motto:
Urban's corporate motto is "When its all over, we want to feel good about what we have done." Urban Industries continues to be a community leader in the annual United Way Drive for Galion, repeatedly placing #1 in per capita donations. With 60 employees and almost $10,000,000 in sales, Urban Industries and it's employees have always been active supporters of the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, American Red Cross Blood Mobile, Galion Community Center / YMCA, POW-MIA, Galion Theater, and many other civic, parental, school, and church organizations and programs.
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