What does it take to receive the Family-Owned Business of the Year Excellence Award? Check out what Dan Rhoads, President of Rhoads Industries has to say as we highlight one of the excellent businesses that drives the Greater Philadelphia region. Join us to celebrate the 34th Annual Excellence Award winners on Thursday, November 17 »
Rhoads Industries, Inc. was founded in 1938. Over the last 72 years, they have brought the best in quality fabrication, field services and industrial maintenance to clients; requiring commitment to understanding their critical needs and translating it into the overall success of projects. With a large talented and proven team which encompasses fabricators, piping, millwrights, boilermakers, electricians, shipwrights, and specialty welders, Rhoads Industries helps achieves project goals.
Based in Philadelphia, Rhoads Industries has over 200,000 square feet of fabrication under roof with their largest facility located adjacent to deep water with wharf access. Located in the former Philadelphia Navy Yard, Rhoads Industries offer repair and maintenance services, equipment installation, piping and demolition services, custom metal fabrication, as well as their utilization of their unique 240,000 square foot facility to partner with companies that need to make or assemble “big things.”
While Rhoads industries was formally incorpated in the the 1930’s, the family business dates back to the 1890s. The Rhoads family had a patent on mechanical valve for a brewery and then ended up opening a metal fabrication shop. The 100 year old company is onto its 5th generation actively involved in the business. President Dan Rhoads became a part of the company after leaving the accounting industry, having previously worked for the company during the summer months while growing up. Dan cites his father as his inspiration to becoming the business owner he is today.
Different from other manufacturing facilities, Rhoads Industries has a unique set of assets, with multiple diverse business lines ranging from small repair projects in the field, to ship repair, to the manufacturing of very large components for commercial and government use.
Dan says the success of Rhoads Industries is simple.“Our secret is simple, work hard, hire the best people, and treat them in a manner that makes them long-term employees,” says Dan. “Be transparent in your communication and keep all of your stakeholders/lenders informed.”
The Rhoads family prides itself in their business philosophy of providing superior service, valuing employees, and remaining committed to the region all while “effectively teaming up or partnering with others who possess skills and knowledge that you don’t,” advises Dan.
The Rhoads family credits much of their success to the Philadelphia region business community, where, as they say, longevity and long-term relationships still matter. “We generate a lot of educated, quality workers and have a city that has become more attractive to keeping them here after graduation,” says Dan. “While Philadelphia is a big city, it is still home to many successful family owned businesses.”
While Dan hopes for the region to increase the amount of manufacturing related training of skilled workers coming out of school, he emphasizes the impact of the Philadelphia Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) as a useful, local resource.
“Our PIDC relationship allowed us to get the needed credit to purchase/expand/repair our facilities along the way,” explains Dan. “Their effective transition of the Navy Yard has provided us with both a new home as well as access to lines of business we never would have dreamt of entering 25 years ago.”
On being named an Excellence Award winner, Dan says, “We have not historically done a great job of promoting ourselves so we are excited to be recognized in the community for the 100+ years of growth and commitment to the region.”
Rhoads Industry hopes to double the size of their company within the next three to five years, with the majority of the work coming from large and long-term manufacturing projects in DOD and Large Fabrication, as well as fully utilizing their unique real estate asset.
