American Galley Equipment – Worldwide Reach From The Mansfield Area

Date: August 08, 2014

Jerry Miller has been in manufacturing most of his adult
life.  Starting at a manufacturing
company in high school then dropping out of college to work full-time there, he
gained a good deal of firsthand industry experience.  In 1992, after working for a beer distributor
for 16 years, Jerry purchased Trico Manufacturing and changed the name to
Miller Manufacturing. 

After doing business with another firm that completed work
for the airline industry, Jerry was drawn to that line of work and in 2006
bought a company that made galleys for airlines to deliver food and beverages
to the passengers.  Then in 2011, his
business saw further expansion for Miller Manufacturing, now known as American
Galley Equipment, as they purchased a Texas company and moved the work to Lexington,
Ohio. 

American Galley equipment works extensively with other small
manufacturers and companies who specialize in repairs.  Their work is split almost evenly between
automotive and galley kitchens for the airline industry, with some additional metal
cabinet work and other metal work for local companies.  For their galley work, American’s primary
customers are small regional carriers but they do have clients all over the
world.  The company employs 28 people in
Ohio with 2 employees working from Dallas, Texas as well.  A family business, one of American’s
employees is Jeff, Jerry’s son who started with the company in 2013. 

Jerry had been coming to the NFIB/Ohio Area Action Council
meetings as a guest in Mansfield for some time before fellow member Mark Fowler
of Fowler Products convinced him to join in 2010.  He knows NFIB is the voice for his small
business and likes the idea of businesses getting involved.  In fact, Jerry’s only recommendation to NFIB
is to get even more businesses involved, to strengthen their collective
voice.  Jerry has been active in this
role by bringing additional small-business owners to the NFIB meetings and
helping encourage them to join as well.

Regulations from agencies such as the FAA, OSHA, and the EPA
are the biggest challenges to American Galley Equipment.  The FAA in particular has strict regulations
on the repair and manufacturing of airline parts.  Owning a small business is often a struggle,
Jerry says, with the risks sometimes outweighing the rewards.  Still, he loves the chance to make things,
solve problems, and deal with a worldwide customer base.  

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