Bryan Finfrock, regional sales manager for Flex Machine Tools, demonstrates the FlexArm, one of the company’s signature developments.
J Swygart | The Lima News
WAPAKONETA — Northwest Ohio is home to myriad companies large and small that produce components for the automotive industry and other vital manufacturing sectors.
A Wapakoneta-based firm has played a key role in that production by equipping those suppliers with state-of-the art machines that have increased the speed and efficiency of a wide range of manufacturing needs.
Flex Machine Tools has its roots as Midwest Specialties, founded in Wapakoneta by Richard Kennedy in 1971 as a government contractor doing various metal stamping work. In 1984 Kennedy developed the “FlexArm,” a device that would revolutionize machine shops across the globe and put his company on the map.
The device consisted of a flexible arm (hence the name), which simplified the process of metal “tapping,” the process of drilling steel to precise sizes and dimensions.
“Dick took the FlexArm to an international machine trade show, and it just blew up,” said Tiffany Bonifas, marketing director for the company.
Demand for the device — which increased the speed, efficiency and consistency sought by machine shops — soared and ultimately became the staple of the business, which had by now transitioned from Midwest Specialties to Flex Machine Tools.
“We sell about 100 FlexArms a month, with more than 25,000 customers in the U.S. as well as more in Germany, Japan and India,” said Bryan Finfrock, the company’s regional sales manager.
Another generation takes over
In 2014 Nick Kennedy, the founder’s grandson, took over as chief executive officer of the company and its workforce of fewer than a dozen employees. Three years later, with its total number of employees doubled, Flex Machine Tools introduced the FlexCNC, an automated, vertical machining center that was unavailable on the market at the time. Used widely for drilling and cutting metal to exact specifications for machinists in the aerospace, fabrication and auto parts industry, the machines “provide greater speed, efficiency and consistency” than was previously available, Finfrock said.
“We sell the machines to suppliers who make parts for other businesses,” Bonifas said. The company, she said, sends five or six of the large FlexCNC out the door each month to locations all across North America.
The machines are now assisting manufacturers that supply products for most major auto companies as well as NASA, Whirlpool, Boeing, General Electric, John Deere, Tesla, SpaceX and others.
In 2021 the company’s product line grew to include FlexJet, a waterjet device utilizing a combination of water and abrasives to cut aluminum, stainless steel and titanium up to 10 inches thick or more.
“It’s our newest line,” Finfrock said. “The FlexJet is used primarily in the aerospace industry, food processing equipment manufacturers, job shops and metal service centers. They’re also used to cut granite countertops.”
Bonifas added, “There’s a big market for waterjets.”
Growth and expansion
An expansion at the company’s Commerce Drive site in Wapakoneta’s industrial park in 2022 added the more than 55,000 square feet of production space needed to accommodate a growing customer base and a workforce that now totals some 60 employees.
As Flex Machine Tools continues to develop and build innovative and high-performing machine tool solutions that help customers increase their efficiency, all sales are accompanied by service that Finfrock believes is second to none.
“We install all the machines. We sell and train our customers in their use. Exceeding customer expectations is one of our core values,” he said.
Kennedy deflected his role in the company’s success, choosing instead to credit his “great team” of employees.
“We’re innovative and fast-paced, but from my perspective I want to think bigger while at the same time having a good time and creating a positive environment for our employees,” Kennedy said.
“I’m an optimistic person, and I feel a personal duty to try to take advantage of what this country has to offer. As a military veteran, I just want to say that this is a great country. People sometimes just don’t understand how good we have it.”
CELEBRATING OUR SPIRIT
Plenty of foods, items and ideas are created right here in the Lima region. Celebrating Our Spirit looks at those organizations that make the area such a vibrant place to live, work and play.
Read more stories at LimaOhio.com/tag/spirit.
