09/06/2006
When third-generation small-business owner Richard Gimmel greets new customers at Atlas Machine and Supply, Inc., he welcomes them into an historic, 99-year-old business that has served thousands of customers in several different areas over the years.
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Richard Gimmel (left) receives the "Small-Business Champion" award from NFIB/Kentucky State Director Tom Underwood. |
Atlas Machine and Supply, Inc. opened its doors in downtown Louisville, Ky., in 1907, and its sole role at that time was to manufacture elevators. With the advent of the automobile, however, car owners began coming to the small machine shop with some big requests. Because automobile manufacturers at that time were not concerned with selling replacement parts, businesses like Atlas Machine stepped in and helped the new automobile owners by replacing piston rings, grinding cylinders or sometimes even doing complete rebuilds if necessary.
Gimmel's grandfather, Robert N. Gimmel, began working at Atlas Machine designing elevators in 1910. In 1925, he bought the company and officially converted it from an elevator manufacturer into a dealer for auto parts that also offered engine rebuilding. Dick Gimmel, Robert Gimmel's son, joined the business in 1931 while still a student at DuPont Manual High School. After Robert's death in 1959, Dick took over the business and gradually moved into heavier work, which included large industrial machinery repairs, engineering, and equipment sales. Today Atlas Machine provides industrial machinery repairs and machining, plant engineering, and sales of industrial compressors and pumps, and has facilities in Louisville, Ky.; Evansville, Ind.; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Columbus, Ohio.
Richard Gimmel, Dick's son, now runs the business that employs 180 people, including his father who is now 91 years old, but continues to work full-time and serve as the company's chairman. Gimmel's son, Richie, also worked at Atlas Machine during his high school and college years. He has since earned his engineering degree from the University of Louisville, and hopes to eventually join the company full-time.
Gimmel enjoys carrying on the history of his family's business and appreciates what it has provided his personal and business family over the 99 years.
"The thing I love most about owning my own business is having the opportunity to create and preserve good-paying, stable jobs for my employees," Gimmel said. "No question about it."
Atlas Machine and Supply, Inc. became an NFIB member about 30 years ago. Gimmel said he believes it is the most effective small-business advocacy group in the country.
"That's not just my opinion," Gimmel said. "People I know who serve in politics tell me that as well."
This respect from politicians for the NFIB is what first motivated Gimmel to become a more active member. He often calls policymakers to advocate small-business positions on issues and also has worked with a committee to help set policy agendas for NFIB.
Gimmel emphasized that it is crucial for government to ease regulations on business in order for the economy to grow.
"There's no question that government regulation is our biggest concern," Gimmel said. "Unlike most constituencies, politicians seem surprised when they realize the business community really doesn't want anything from government. We just want them to leave us alone."
Not surprisingly, taxes are another huge concern for Gimmel. He believes there is no logic in taxing those who best stimulate the nation's economy.
"Business owners and employees pay plenty of taxes, and there's no reason for the business entity to pay taxes on top of that," Gimmel said. "If those entity taxes were eliminated, more jobs would be created and ultimately more taxes would be paid by everybody. Some day, some state with a growth-oriented government will figure this out. After all, if you trace all taxes to their ultimate roots, they originate from business activity. So, if you want to collect more taxes, you should encourage more business activity, not penalize it."
Recently, Gimmel was presented the NFIB "Small-Business Champion" award for his dedication to the organization. Gimmel is extremely active in Area Action Councils and possesses a great desire to promote pro-small business issues in Kentucky to his public policymakers.
