Partner Spotlight: Dekalb Tool & Die Manufacturing Capabilities with Ric Grove (Organization Conversation, Episode 59)
This episode of Organization Conversation, hosted by Richard Grove and sponsored by Wall Control Storage Systems, focuses on highlighting their closest partner, Dekalb Tool & Die. Richard’s father, Ric Grove, joins the conversation to share the history and evolution of Dekalb Tool & Die since its inception in 1968, its growth from serving the automotive industry to a diverse range of sectors, and the importance of skilled labor in the tool & die industry. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in attracting and training new talent, the significance of being a full-service metalworking facility, and how the industry has adapted to changes in manufacturing and labor. The episode also explores the role of employers in creating valuable work environments and the potential for rewarding careers in skilled trades.
Organization Conversation is sponsored by Wall Control. The show is produced by John Ray and the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.
Ric Grove, Dekalb Tool & Die
Established in 1968, Dekalb Tool & Die, Inc. specializes in crafting, repairing, and innovating a diverse array of metalworking tools. Whether it’s progressive dies, transfer dies, draw dies, or single hit tooling, they possess the expertise and resources to meet your needs. From CAD design to timely delivery, they ensure comprehensive tooling service.
Beyond their design and build capabilities, they excel as a competitive source for quality metal stampings. With presses ranging from 60 to 1800 tons and coil feed capability up to 60″ wide, their versatility enables them to produce a wide range of stamped metal parts.
Recognized for exceptional customer service and on-time deliveries, they were recently honored with Blue Bird Corporation’s Global Supplier of the Year award. While they take pride in their state-of-the-art equipment and technologies, it’s their skilled employees who remain their most valuable asset.
They invite you to experience their facility firsthand with a personal tour when you’re in the Atlanta area. As you explore their capabilities on their website, they’re ready to address any inquiries and provide assistance. They eagerly anticipate the opportunity to quote on your tooling and metal stamping needs, offering competitive prices and unwavering honesty in their business transactions.
Dekalb Tool and Die values the chance to introduce you to their company and demonstrate their commitment to excellence.
Topics Discussed in this Episode
00:00 Introduction to Organization Conversation
00:28 Spotlight on Dekalb Tool & Die: A Partner Focus
01:37 The Evolution of Dekalb Tool & Die
07:49 Challenges and Opportunities in the Tool and Die Industry
09:31 The Importance of Skilled Labor and Training
11:46 Encouraging a New Generation in Skilled Trades
17:34 Dekalb Tool & Die’s Customer and Service Evolution
22:51 Reaching Out to Potential Employees and Customers
24:14 Closing Remarks and Additional Resources
About Organization Conversation
Organization Conversation is hosted by Richard Grove and broadcast and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta. You can find the full archive of shows by following this link. The show is available on all the major podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, Stitcher, TuneIn, and others.
Richard Grove, Wall Control
Richard Grove‘s background is in engineering, but what he enjoys most is brand building through relationships and creative marketing. Richard began his career with the Department of Defense as an engineer on the C-5 Galaxy Engineering Team, based out of Warner Robins. While Richard found this experience both rewarding and fulfilling, he always knew deep down that he wanted to return to the small family business that originally triggered his interest in engineering.
Richard came to work for the family business, Dekalb Tool & Die, in 2008 as a Mechanical Engineer. At the time, Wall Control was little more than a small ‘side hustle’ for Dekalb Tool & Die to try to produce some incremental income. There were no “Wall Control” employees, just a small warehouse with a single tool and die maker that would double as an “order fulfillment associate” on the occasion that the original WallControl.com website, which Richard’s grandmother built, pulled in an order.
In 2008, it became apparent that for the family business to survive, they were going to have to produce their own branded product at scale to ensure jobs remained in-house and for the business to continue to move forward. Richard then turned his attention from tool and die to Wall Control to attempt this necessary pivot, and his story with Wall Control began. Since that time, Richard has led Wall Control to significant growth while navigating two recessions.
Outside of Richard’s work at Wall Control, he enjoys helping other business owners, operators, and entrepreneurs along their own paths to success by offering personal business coaching and advice through his website, ConsultantSmallBusiness.com. Richard has developed an expansive and unique skillset, growing and scaling Wall Control through a multitude of challenges to become the successful brand and company it is today. Richard is happy to share his knowledge and experience with others who are looking to do the same within their own businesses.
Connect with Richard:
Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Richard’s Website
About Wall Control
The Wall Control story began in 1968 in a small tool & die shop just outside Atlanta, Georgia. The first of three generations began their work in building a family-based US manufacturer with little more than hard work and the American Dream.
Over the past 50+ years, this family business has continued to grow and expand from what was once a small tool & die shop into an award-winning US manufacturer of products ranging from automobile components to satellite panels and now, the best wall-mounted tool storage system available today, Wall Control.
The Wall Control brand launched in 2003 and is a family-owned and operated business that not only produces a high-quality American Made product but sees the entire design, production, and distribution process happen under their own roof in Tucker, Georgia. Under that same roof, three generations of American Manufacturing are still hard at work creating the best tool storage products available today.
Connect with Wall Control:
