[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 20 (Thursday, February 4, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E138]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            IN HONOR OF THE EARNEST MACHINE PRODUCTS COMPANY

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                        HON. DENNIS J. KUCINICH

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 4, 1999

  Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Earnest 
Machine Products Company as they celebrate their fiftieth year in 
business. Earnest Machine Products Company has proven itself as an 
outstanding family-owned business that adheres to simple principles of 
exceptional customer service, customer loyalty, and close employee 
relations.
  In 1947 Paul and Victor Zehnder started the Zehnder Engineering and 
Machine Company in Cleveland. The company manufactured and sold various 
industrial supplies until 1948, when Paul began selling surplus track 
shoe bolts. The bolts were in high demand at the time, and they enabled 
Paul to begin a long career of distributing nuts and bolts. In 1951 the 
company name was officially changed to the Earnest Machine Products 
Company. By 1967 the company's sales had tripled and Earnest Machine 
Products Company kept introducing new industrial products, such as 
enamel paints and roller bearings. Eventually, business expanded to 
include distributors in all 50 states.
  Quality products and hard work are important components to the 
success of Earnest Machine Products Company, but strong customer 
service and loyal employees are the backbone of the company's history 
of success. From the very beginning Zehnder promoted outstanding 
customer service by accepting collect calls before toll free numbers 
were introduced. The employees are treated like family. That sentiment, 
and steady growth over 50 years has enabled Earnest to establish and 
maintain a base of loyal employees. In fact, over 70 percent of the 
work force has been with the company for 15 years or more.
  In 1998 Earnest received ISO 9002 certification, which recognizes 
that the company is a quality supplier of industrial fasteners by 
American and European Quality Assurance agencies. Earnest has also 
maintained an accredited lab to test and insure the quality of their 
product. Today, Earnest Machine Products Company distributes over 
30,000 different fastener types and sizes.
  The Earnest Machine Products Company has proven that adherence to 
employees, customer service, and quality can produce a successful 
business.

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