Last Thursday beneath threatening skies, Oatey hosted a groundbreaking ceremony at the Emerald Corporate Park off Grayton Road near Interstate 480 in Cleveland.

The 99-year-old company, which offers more than 6,000 plumbing products, paid $1.35 million for 7.6 acres at the site, on which it intends to build a two-story 43,500-square-foot building that will house its headquarters. Construction is slated for completion next year. Donley's is the contractor on the project, while Vocon is the architectural firm on the LEED certified design. Oatey will keep its three other Cleveland area locations open, two of which are on West 160^th Street. The other is on Industrial Parkway.

During last week's groundbreaking event, Martin J. Sweeney, representing the 14^th District in the Ohio House of Representatives, touted the company's commitment to the city and environmental responsibility.

"They were green before anybody else was green," said Sweeney of Oatey, noting how the company transformed a retention basin adjacent to its warehouse into a natural preserve that's a haven for migrating birds. "They should be commended on many different levels."

Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish mused over the company's success, which he attributed to "a product line right out of professional wresting," adding that products such as Haymaker ^TM, Sizzle ^TM, Megaloc ^TM, "and my personal favorite, the Sludgehammer ^TM" are bound to be successful.

While Budish's comments drew laughs, Mayor Frank Jackson drew attention to a facet of the Oatey operation that has little to do with its formidable Iron Grip ^TM products or Knock-Out ^TM test caps, but says a great deal about the company as a member of the community.

"When I visited the company," said Jackson, "I ran across a group of developmentally disabled employees who were the happiest employees I ever saw. They were happy because the Oatey company had given them an opportunity."

That program, which Oatey runs in collaboration with the United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) Association of Cleveland, has been in place for more than two decades. It currently employs approximately 20, with 12 doing light manufacturing and between eight and 10 in the distribution facility. They work six hours a day, every day.

"They actually help us out a lot," said vice president of operations Kevin Ellman, adding that the company recently invested $20,000 to upgrade the group's work area with ergonometric chairs and tables. "They do a lot of light assembly and they're very valuable to our workforce."

Oatey currently employs approximately 385, with plans to add up to 80 more jobs over the next four years, thereby increasing payroll by $3.8 million annually. Those new jobs and the projected overall investment in the new build garnered an incentive package from the city that includes a 70 percent tax abatement and a Job Creation Incentive Grant. Oatey has committed to stay in Cleveland for at least 10 years.

As for the UCP program, Ellman said talk is underway to expand it into the new headquarters with some office workers. Until then, he notes how the group offers a subtler benefit that reaffirms Mayor Jackson's comments.

"Whenever I'm in a bad mood or I'm not having a good day," said Ellman, "I go right down to that work cell and I talk to them. They're always positive. They just uplift me."