From The Free Press Standard
Carrollton, OH

By Carol McIntire
Editor
April 26, 2011

Nick Ballas and Matthew Valentine are having a problem with their business, but it is one that makes them smile.

The problem? Controlling the growth of the company.

“Our business is coming fast, which doesn’t reflect the state of the economy,” said Ballas who is co-owner of The American Road Machinery Company in Minerva with Valentine.

The company manufactures snowplows (the large type for commercial use), vacuum leaf collectors and catch basin cleaners, asphalt spreaders and salt and chip spreaders.

“We are looking at an opportunity for our business to go worldwide with our catch basin cleaners and our domestic  (American) snow plow and leaf collector business has increased significantly,” he said, admitting the harsh winter weather has something to do with the snow plow orders. “The orders for leaf collectors have also increased because states are once again establishing recycling programs,” he added.

When the co-owners say manufacture snow plows, etc. that is exactly what they mean: the company builds from the ground up, beginning with a piece of steel they form and bend, put the final touches on with a paint finish to the customer’s specifications and ship. Local entities purchase plows as well as township, counties and villages within Ohio and other states.

They are also distributors for Ox Bodies, a line of heavy duty dump truck bodies.

The owners bring a new twist to the long-time family owned business.
Valentine’s grandfather, Emil Hanks established the business in 1971 as American Road Machinery Inc. on Bridge St. in Minerva. The family remained at the helm of the business through the years. Valentine worked there as a youth and went to college after graduation and received a master’s degree in economics from Toledo University. He made the decision to stay with his family’s company and help it grow.

Ballas, who has a master’s degree in business, spent 25 years with a Fortune 500 company in a purchasing capacity, which took him all over the world.  In December 2006, he was hired at American Roads Machinery as vice president with the goal of taking the business “to the next level.”

As fate would have it, the other members of Valentine’s family decided they would like to step away from the management of the company in 2010.

Ballas and Valentine put together a proposal to purchase it and took over ownership Dec. 1, 2010.

The owners plan to grow their company in another capacity as well.

Along with outfitting large trucks, they can now outfit smaller trucks. The company builds its own snow plows to outfit F-350, F-450 and F-550 trucks and has teamed up with a company to supply smaller trucks.

“We have aligned ourselves with Buyers Products and truck accessories which allow us to do something we have never done before,” said Valentine. The company can now outfit the small contractor or individual who plows snow, spreads salt or has a landscaping business.

“About 90 percent of our business is from municipal customers, about eight percent from contractors and about two percent is retail,” Ballas explained. “We would like to grow the retail end. We didn’t have that ability before, but now that we have aligned ourselves with Buyers we will be able to reach that goal.”

While they are looking a growth and the future, they are also focused on their employees and their commitment to the company.

Valentine says the experience and commitment of the employees allows them to move forward. “We have four people with over 30 years experience, one with 25 years and three with over 20 years. We also have five sets of fathers-sons working here.”

With an increase in orders comes an increase in employees. The business has 31 employees and the owners said they are looking to add another 10 to the payroll.

“We are very happy to see our company grow,” Ballas said. “Our goal now is to make sure it is controlled growth.”