Officials break ground for New London's newest business

NORWALK — Early Tuesday morning a crowd gathered at the west edge of the village at 106 Industrial Dr. in White Industrial Park to break ground for TIP Products, the village's newest business. Co-owner Dave Finley, a New London High School graduate, introduced the other owners, Jim Panehal and Tom Gielow, whose parents started the company in 1965. Currently located in Cleveland, the firm has grown to the point where Finley said, "We had to turn business away like crazy." The search began in the counties around Cleveland and gradually worked its way out to Huron County and New London, where a site was available. Finley thanked everyone associated with the move, including the Huron County Development Council, Janotta & Herner, Croghan Bank, Mark Chase, Shawn Pickworth and others for helping bring TIP Products to New London. He said, "Without these folks, we wouldn't be standing here." TIP Products produces "electrical assemblies and power supplies for the small appliance industries," according to Finley, who said a representative from Vitamix, one of its vendors for 45 years, was at the groundbreaking. The new 30,000-square-foot-building, which should be completed by the end of the year, will house 30 employees and will have the capacity for expansion in the future. Hiring is underway, with job fairs already in New London and Norwalk. Welcoming those in attendance, Mayor Toby Thomas noted his father was a real estate broker who was always on the hunt for new business for the area. Thomas continued, "This groundbreaking gives us hope for the future, and we want to support you in any way we can. Welcome to New London." Kristen Buchs, the new pastor for the New London United Methodist Church, gave the blessing for the ceremony.