Author: Chamber Admin

Spotlight on Paragon Tempered Glass Specialists 

Paragon Tempered Glass is a specialty custom glass fabricator. Based in Antwerp, OH the business began in 1977 in Paulding, OH in a horse barn by brothers George and Don Rhonehouse. Their father, George Sr, had worked with the famous Harold McMaster, the inventor of tempered glass. Fortune 500 magazine called Mr. McMaster “The Glass Genius”. Mr. McMaster was from the Henry County area and graduated from Defiance College and The Ohio State University. Tempered glass is widely used around the world and almost everyone has benefitted and observed the world through this amazing invention.  

Within the first year of business, the Rhonehouse brothers were given the opportunity to build a tempering furnace for a customer. In 1978, due to lack of space for this furnace, the site was moved to Antwerp and the original building still exists in the northeast corner of the complex. In 1980, the business was purchased by Glasstech, Inc. out of Perrysburg. During the next decade the company experienced steady growth, turning out quality products and gaining the respect throughout the industry. This growth was spurred by the surging recreational vehicle industry in Elkhart Indiana where 80% of the RV’s in the US are manufactured.  By 1987 the company boasted almost $13 million in sales and employed 200. The plant grew in stages during this time but by the end of the 1980’s the competition for this glass tempering became intense. It was at this time that Glasstech decided to focus on building tempering furnaces. In 1990, the company changed its name to Spec Temp- specializing in fine tempered glass.  Spec Temp focused on cutting edge equipment and became ISO: 9002 certified in 1995. Since then the company has gone through several plant renovations and multiple owners until it merged with Tem-Pace, located in Niles, MI., in 2012 and became known as Paragon Tempered Glass. 

Paragon produces both flat and bent tempered glass as well as insulated glass, to meet the demands for strength, thermal and aesthetic quality glass products. You can find tempered glass in architectural doors and windows, vending machines and laboratory equipment, solar panels, refrigeration, food service equipment, home appliances, shower enclosures and aquariums. You can find it in aircrafts, boats, construction, ATV, military and agricultural equipment as well as cars, truck caps, heavy duty trucks and limousines. All glass is made and sold in the U.S.  

“What separates us from our competition is our customer service and timeliness.” stated Dan Wright, President of Paragon Tempered Glass. Paragon prides themselves in providing quality glass products and on-time performance. They have scored a 98% in customer surveys and boast of nearly 40 years’ experience in glass fabrication and each product is reinforced by their product warranty. Quality is measured on 3 levels including: customer satisfaction, on-time delivery and defect rate which is monitored by the in-house quality lab.  

Paragon has a second plant in Niles, Michigan employing 87. It is smaller than the Antwerp facility which employs 104 people. Paragon runs three shifts and they are always looking for quality, creative and independent thinking workers that desire to work close to home. Paragon offers health insurance, profit sharing and cross training. The administration is committed to investing in this plant ($3 million in capital investments over the last 3 years) and look forward to being part of the community for a long, long time. A commitment to this plant is a commitment to the Antwerp community.  

We, the Antwerp Chamber of Commerce, look forward to working with Paragon Tempered Glass for many years to come.  

Our spotlight on business this month is Pam’s Prime Cut. This business is owned and operated by Pam (Friend) Jordan and has been in business since 1987. Pam’s business is just across the street from the Antwerp Exchange Bank and next door to the Bear’s Den, located there for 31 years.   

Pam went to school in Fort Wayne and briefly worked at a salon near her school. Before long, the urge to move back to her hometown lead her to start her own salon in Antwerp. She is proud of her full service salon where she offers haircuts, styles, perms, and color. Pam’s salon is cozy and inviting. Her clients come from surrounding towns, including Fort Wayne, where she began her career. That in itself is a testament to her expertise and friendly personality.  

She is most passionate about making sure her clients are happy and satisfied with her work. She is known for her small town atmosphere and affordable pricing. One of her most notable clients is a woman who has reached 100 years young.  

As a stylist, Pam will help you find the cut that fits into your busy lifestyle. If it is a quick trim, a new twist on your own signature style, or a completely new look, Pam will make sure that you are happy and satisfied! Her salon also offers products for purchase to keep your hair looking “salon styled.”  

Stop in and see Pam for your hair care needs.   

Business Spotlight:
Riverside Tire, formerly known as Riverside Hardware, is located north of Antwerp at 14777 SR 49. Owned and operated by Jerry Williams, this multi-purpose business has been serving Antwerp and the surrounding communities since 2006.
For many years, Jerry worked with his father, Keith, who owned the popular Shell gas station in Antwerp, now the location of the Pit Stop. The Shell was part gas station, part small engine repair shop. Jerry’s inspiration was to own and operate a business that allowed him to do small engine repair without the demands of a seven-day-per-week gas station. That is why he opened Riverside Tire, which specializes in small engine repair and car tires.
With spring right around the corner, the time is now to turn your attention lawn care and your personal lawn mower. Many residents make a large investment in keeping their mowers and yards in tip-top shape, and Jerry can assist you by cleaning and sharpening your mower blades, changing your oil, and making sure your lawn mower is operating up to its best potential. For customers who enjoy the recreational and work-horse benefits of an ATV, Jerry can provide many of these same services for your ATV as well.
Does your car seem to pulling one way or another? Are you wondering if you might need new tires? Jerry can answer both of those questions for you. He deals in high-end tires, such as Mastercraft, BF Goodrich, Uniroyal, and Michelin tires, and his connections to get next-day delivery on tires means that you can have your car back humming down the road with little to no inconvenience. If minor tire service is all you may need, Jerry can check your tires’ air pressure, as well as balance and rotate them as needed.
In addition to small engines and tires, Riverside Tire also offers an array of maintenance services, including filling propane tanks, sharpening chain saw blades, and selling bales of straw; and fishing enthusiasts can find live bait all summer long at Riverside Tire.
Jerry believes in treating people right, and he always tries to get the best price on tires, engine parts, and all other supplies that he sells. Riverside Tire is open Monday through Friday 8am-5pm and Saturdays 8am-3pm. If you have a question about what Jerry can do for you, give him a call at 419-258-1917.

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: PIERCE AUTOMOTIVE… Business Spotlight: Looking for a local place to have your oil changed or brakes repaired? Need your tires rotated, balanced, or aligned? Maybe you need a whole new engine or a shiny pre-owned vehicle to call your own. Look no further than Pierce Automotive, Inc., 5045 CR 424, Antwerp. Russell Pierce, owner and operator, opened his first repair shop at the former Leinard’s Sales and Service location in January of 2002 after having worked for Mr. Leinard for twenty-seven years. After quickly outgrowing the downtown location, Russell and his wife Cindy constructed a new, state-of-the-art facility and moved to its current location in November of 2003. Russell’s love of tinkering with objects of all sizes and colors started at a very young age. He fondly remembers the time that as a young boy he removed all the cupboard doors off of the kitchen cabinets while his parents were gone. Fortunately, he was able to put them all back on, avoiding the wrath that comes with being a rambunctious boy. But the time he disassembled the entire lawn mower, all because of a slow oil leak, his parents were none too happy. Through these experiences and others, it became quickly apparent that he was born with the unique ability to not only tear objects apart, but the rare skills of being able to put them back together again in good working order. Why choose Pierce Automotive over another shop that may be able to perform the same services? For starters, the shop is local, and local businesses remain the backbone of any great community. But equally important, Russell and his staff pride themselves in providing great service with the knowledge to complete nearly any task needed on an automobile. Another service that may set them apart includes their willingness to come to your home or place of work and pick up your vehicle, repair it during the day, and then deliver it back to you when they are done, all at no additional cost to the consumer. Russell reminds his customers that taking your car to a dealership can cost much more money, and the quality of service is no better than what Russell and his staff can provide, as he and his crew pride themselves in the quality of their work. The counter and support staff is second to none. Cindy always greets you with a smile when you enter the front doors of the business, and the rest of both the office and repair staff will do its best to make you feel like a valued customer. Russell and Cindy are proud to employee both of their children too. While Russell has been servicing cars for over forty years, his sons, Paul and Scott, are now both working alongside him, gathering valuable knowledge along the way. As already noted, Pierce Automotive also sells pre-owned vehicles. If they don’t have that special car you’re seeking in their current inventory, they will search local auctions to locate just what you are looking for. Russell frequently travels to auctions in Fort Wayne and Montpelier, and he will even search the Internet, saving you precious time from having to do the research yourself. In fact, they just recently sold a car to someone as far away as Virginia! So before heading out of town to purchase your next truck or automobile, give Russell and his staff a shot first. Never hesitate to contact the great staff at Pierce Automotive. The entire set of employees is here to help you. For more information, contact Russell, Cindy, or the office staff at 419-258-2727.