Our Mission . . . . . . .

Ketchum & Walton Co. will provide value to our clients through engineered solutions and product application. Representing market leaders that are focused on continuous and never-ending improvement in research, development, and technology assures our commitment of providing quality products and service.

HISTORY OF KETCHUM & WALTON CO.

In 1948, John W. Ketchum started a one-man manufacturers' representative firm to sell Aerovent fans, a Piqua, Ohio manufacturer. Industry in Central Ohio grew very rapidly during the 1950's and The John W. Ketchum Company's sales volume increased dramatically with other manufacturers of industrial quality equipment being added to meet customer demand.

John's belief that "service to the client" was the number one priority required for the growth of his firm. Jim Walton was hired in 1964 with the intention of providing even better service to the customer base. Jim brought with him expertise in the Commercial Bid and Spec Market and launched the Ketchum & Walton Co. into a growth pattern both in manufacturers being represented and customers being served.

To complete the product line, companies such as Kinetics Noise Control, Industrial Acoustics Company, American Warming & Ventilating, and Camfil/Farr Filters were added to the list of products to complement Aerovent fans. Even though these five companies were basically "air moving" oriented, it soon became apparent that they also offered solutions to problems that exist in both engineering and architectural markets.

Industrial expansion throughout Ohio during the 1980's presented the opportunity to once again grow the Ketchum & Walton Co. Dan Kreemer, Greg Roberts, and Sam Glaviano were added to the Columbus office, while Jim Shirk and Chris Larger became representatives in the newly formed Cincinnati office.

In 1991, Mike Bowen joined the firm to start the Akron office and Mick Spillane came on board in Akron in 1996.

In 1999 the company launched an exciting path with the retirement of the major stockholder, Jim Walton. The Ketchum & Walton Co. became a 100% employee owned organization. Committed to their careers, being an ESOP company fulfills the aspirations of the individuals by being owners of the company. Having a vested interest in the company reaffirms our commitment and assures our pride and determination in satisfying our customer demands.

The company continues to expand with the addition of the New York office in 2001.The sales force in New York includes Bob Buelow, John Restaino, Jay Ford, who began his career with K & W in the Columbus office in 1998, and Paul Brown.

Joining the firm recently are Sam Linzell and Aaron Powell (Columbus 2004) and Roy Williams (formerly Akron, now New York 2004).

Regardless of size, the main focus of "service to the client", which was the belief of our founder back in 1948, will always be our number one priority.