Benchmark Industrial Supply, LLC

the beginning patty walling and claire williamson took a big risk when they purchased plasco safety products and the golden thumb glove company and consolidated the struggling 50-year old companies to form benchmark industrial supply, llc in november 2003. however, it seemed a small price to pay to save the jobs of 16 employees at the safety products distributors based in springfield, ohio. “we bring an understanding that we value and develop employee relationships the same as we value and develop our customer relationships,” explains claire, the vice president of benchmark. “it was a tough sell. we had to convince people that we could turn around a business that had been declining for years. it was our strong desire to keep the business and jobs open in our community.” the consolidation was not solely based on altruism. claire served as a purchasing manager for plasco for 27 years, and patty was the comptroller/general manager for 25 years. so the duo certainly knew the business and h