[ FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESS OF THE YEAR ]
SENSE OF PRIDE, TRADITION KEEP
FAMILY BUSINESS GOING STRONG
Ridgeway Petroleum carries the tradition and
commitment to service that have characterized
the family business since William Van Ramhorst
launched the start-up in 1936.
“We were strictly supplying gas to individual
dealers when I joined the business. There
were many environmental updates that were
impeding our bottom line,” he said.
“There is a sense of pride and tradition that
comes with being a family-owned business.
You understand the sacrifices your father
and grandfather made to keep the business
going,” Ridgeway President Dave Smith said.
“That sort of background inspires you to move
forward and become successful.”
“I believed we could get the best return on our
investment by controlling our expenses and
costs. That meant owning and operating our
own gas stations. Dad (Ronald Smith) allowed
me to move the corporation forward with the
vision I had for it.”
Ridgeway Petroleum began as a home heating
oil supplier for customers on both sides of the
Indiana/Illinois state line. When increasing
numbers of homeowners decided to replace
their oil furnaces, the company transitioned to a
supplier of petroleum to gas station dealers.
When Smith joined the team, he guided the
business in yet another direction.
Today, Ridgeway Petroleum has seven
Northwest Indiana retail gas/convenience stores
as the company positions itself for the next
generation.
“Our family atmosphere and being part of a
team separate us from the competition and
make this a great place to work,” he said. “I
want to keep the company around long enough
so that one of my children is afforded the same
wonderful opportunities I had.”
RIDGEWAY PETROLEUM
Dave Smith
President
RIDGEWAY PETROLEUM, INC.
Indiana and Illinois locations
(708) 474-0601
www.returnandearn.com/r/ridgeway
“This family-owned business has
maintained its success by focusing on the
company mission to satisfy customers by
delivering safe, clean and friendly service
at every visit and through good corporate
citizenship. The company’s most recent
expansion can be traced to the leadership
of David A. Smith, the third generation to
lead the company.”
DONALD MCCORMICK, Peoples Bank
[ ENTREPRENEURIAL SUCCESS OF THE YEAR ]
TEAM ENVIRONMENT FOSTERS
PYRO’S CONTINUED ACHIEVEMENTS
A trio of leaders at Pyro Industrial Services, Inc.
cultivates a team atmosphere as the company
continues on its path to success.
“There are no egos here,” Chief Financial
Officer Margo Warnke said. “We really are
a team – all of us work together for one
common goal: to be successful and foster
a great workplace.”
Warnke, along with CEO Jim Harting and
President Ray McMillan lead the business – a
full-service general contractor and refractory
specialist. Founded in 1975, the company serves
steel makers, utilities and refineries in Indiana,
Illinois and Ohio in the Midwest as well as
Alabama, Kentucky and Missouri.
The refractory side of the business uses firebrick
and high-temperature concrete to manufacture
furnaces, ladles, boilers and coke ovens that
must withstand high temperatures. They also
replace the lining of industrial furnaces.
“We also excel at a niche market that involves
maintaining coating-line equipment,” Warnke
said. “By having the ability to pump out and
hold molten zinc, we can reduce down time
for our industrial customers by up to 48 hours,
which can literally translate into millions of
dollars in savings for them.”
The company also provides round-the-clock
service for industrial emergencies.
The three – Warnke, Harting and McMillan –
worked in various capacities at the company
before becoming the core leadership team
three years ago when company founder, Jack
Carlson, passed away suddenly.
“Jack had approached us in the 1990s and
said if anything happened to him, he wanted
us to become owners as part of a succession
plan,” Warnke said. “Jack was phenomenal. We
continue the job he started with the integrity,
quality and safety he brought to this company.”
PYRO INDUSTRIAL
CEO Jim Harting, CFO Margo Warnke,
President Ray McMillan
PYRO INDUSTRIAL SERVICES
Portage, Indiana
(219) 787-5700
www.pyroindustrial.com
“Pyro’s ownership team of Jim Harting,
Margo Warnke and Ray McMillan have
proven themselves to be outstanding
leaders in the community and business.
The company has grown while maintaining
a high level of quality service in a very
competitive industry.”
JAMES D. MAGERA, 1st Source Bank