Have you ever wondered what it takes for a small-town business to make a global impact?
In 2019,
The founder and father, Kerry, of this family-owned tool and dye company engineered what sounded impossible – he created a cross-tip drill that exceeded industry standards durability by more than 383X – and still going.
Imagine a proprietary tool so unbelievably strong that the auto manufacturer assembly line remains running 25 times more than usual because they don’t have to shut down to replace the drill for re-sharpening.
This game-changing invention from Russell’s Point, Ohio was already turning heads within automotive, and a natural fit for more industries and manufacturers to gain the edge of this drilling solution.
Talk about a Polycrystalline Diamond in the rough.
Kerry’s daughter, Kaci King was sharing the invention news with Bethany Watts, her local branch manager with Richwood Bank, where the family banks their business.
Together, they discussed her business goals and vision. They had successfully established the core product, and Kaci was now strategically exploring ways to amplify its appeal and increase awareness among more companies that could benefit. She was also looking to improve operational efficiencies with the new drill tool
Bethany introduced Kaci to the unique team within Richwood Bank, which is Richwood Marketing.
Richwood Marketing is a pioneering internal agency with a straightforward mission: Supporting Richwood’s business customers to increase their profitability and growth.
Much like the bank’s payroll, financial, and treasury services, Richwood Marketing aims to enhance the overall success of its small business partners by providing comprehensive support beyond banking.
The invention and vision was intriguing to the team. They listened, toured the facility, and as marketers, had quite the learning curve while immersing into Kaci’s world of tooling.
Together, the idea was forged to build a brand and name around the cutting edge tool – literally.
Welcome the EdgeX4
The Richwood Marketing team worked closely with West Ohio Tool to create the EdgeX4, create its own logo, website, collateral materials and direct mail campaigns to introduce the new tool to the aerospace industry first.
They also focused on the results of the tool, so that rather than promoting content about the drill’s features, the conversation was to focus on the benefit itself, which is a so-good-its-true return on investment which is a lowest cost per hole guarantee.
Kaci and her West Ohio Tool team also continued to monitor the durability of the EdgeX4 and determine exactly how much better it truly was compared to all drills because truth in brand promise is key for this family business integrity.
At first the thought was it’s easily 10x stronger based on internal testing. Then reports from partners in the auto assembly began reporting back. They themselves were amazed at the longevity of the new PCD cross-thread drill.
Could it really be?
Yes.
As a company primarily focused on grinding, regrinding, and sharpening drills returned by their partners, the question arose about the impact on long-term profitability. Kerry invented a drill tool that is exceptionally strong, affordable, and requires minimal servicing. Many manufacturers were accustomed to the notion that even the best drills could only produce around 25,000 holes before needing to be replaced and sent back for sharpening.
The Edgex4 has the endurance to surpass 1,000,000 holes and eliminates the down time for production. When explaining this mind bending reality, it can seem hard to imagine, yet it’s true.
When the family behind West Ohio Tool invented the EdgeX4 drill, the idea of being 10x stronger than the industry was a big dream, especially for the automotive industry.
Today, their technology and paired ambition has them soaring to new heights.
Yes, the EdgeX4 is changing manufacturing efficiencies that empower people to go to the moon.
Within the first five years, the demand for the EdgeX4 technology is drilling through production facilities across aerospace, recreational, automotive, defense, semi-conductors, medical, space, wind power, sports, firearms – the list continues to grow. If you build it, they’ll solve it.
Faster. Stronger. Longer. Efficient. That is the EdgeX4 and that is Richwood Bank as your partner in business success.
What can we do for you?
