After watching his tools slide off aircraft while working as an aircraft mechanic, veteran and inventor Tom Burden spent three years prototyping the Grypmat in his basement and turned the idea into a flexible, non-slip tool mat for professional and DIY mechanics. The Celina, Ohio company’s signature mat is made from food-grade silicone, withstands heat up to 500°F, and gives tools a stable home on a work surface. Grypmat later gained national attention when Burden secured a deal on Shark Tank.
Crown Matting TechnologiesCrown Matting Technologies traces its Fremont, Ohio, roots to 1943, when Crown Rubber Company began by milling rubber for military-service suppliers. The company later became known for inventing the vinyl foam anti-fatigue mat in 1963, a history that still shapes its work for commercial entrances and industrial workplaces. Its matting team averages more than 18 years in the business, with some employees bringing as many as 46 years of manufacturing experience.FREMONT, OH
Setex TechnologiesBorn from Carnegie Mellon University research into how geckos climb walls, Pittsburgh-based Setex Technologies manufactures patented gecko-inspired microfiber gripping materials and consumer accessories that stay secure on wet, sweaty, or oily skin. The company produces its Setex products in the USA and also works with eyewear, gaming, and sporting-goods manufacturers to incorporate its microstructured surfaces into their products. Its anti-slip nose pads, launched in 2020, reached a reported 45% share of the Amazon category within 18 months.325520PITTSBURGH, PA
Ohio Gratings, IncFounded in 1970 with one man, a welding machine and some grating inventory, Ohio Gratings, Inc. manufactures and custom-fabricates metal bar grating and flooring for industrial, commercial and architectural projects. The Canton company has grown into a multisite operation with more than 475 associates and describes itself as America’s only privately owned full-line grating manufacturer. Its engineered traction products include Wheels n’ Heels®, which combines pedestrian comfort with vehicular loading capability, and ALGRIP® and OnGrip® slip-resistant surfaces.CANTON, OH
Bully Tools, IncFounded by Mark Gracy in 1994, Bully Tools grew from a 1,500-square-foot Pittsburgh start-up into a Steubenville manufacturer known for keeping its production 100% Made in the USA. Its Ohio operation makes tools in-house and supplies more than 100 products to hardware stores across the country.STEUBENVILLE, OH