Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Warsaw is known as the orthopedic capital of the world. What may surprise some is that, thanks to Sun Metal Products, the city is also home to a leader in the competitive world of cycling.
Sun was recently recognized for more than 50 years in business by Indiana's Lt. Gov. Joseph Kernan and the Department of Commerce with the Lieutenant Governor's Half Century Award.
"Companies like Sun Metal Products are great examples of continued dedication and quality," Kernan said. "The contributions they have made are vital to the strength of our economy and the health of our communities."
Sun Metal Products President Robert Piecuch said he is grateful for the recognition.
"It's a nice honor that the state takes the time to honor businesses that have been around for a while," he said.
Founded in 1946 by Herman Jensen and Kenneth Anderson, Sun Metal Products began as Ken-Jen Metal Products. The prime product of Ken-Jen was tricycle seats that were assembled for Junior Toy in Hammond.
The name was changed in 1948, when Anderson sold his interest in the firm to Mel Carlson.
In 1949, Sun began production of wire spoke bicycle wheels, selling them to the Welch Co. in St. Louis, Mo. Then, in 1954, Sun entered the tricycle field, making the wheels for tricycles produced by Evans Products Co.
During the 1960s and '70s, Sun's product line increased and they entered new markets - lawnmower and other lawn care equipment wheels, stationary exercise bike wheels and high-performance aluminum wheels for off-road motorcycle racing. Wheels for vendor carts and wheelchairs are also a prominent product line for Sun.
In 1992, Sun built an additional 80,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in North Manchester to keep up with demand for its aluminum rims.
In 1995, Sun added carbon composite wheels to the product line and also went international, entering into a joint venture in the People's Republic of China by opening Zhejiang Sun Metal Products. That firm produces aluminum bicycle rims and steel motorcycle rims for distribution in the large Asian market.
"I wouldn't say that we're making Warsaw the cycling capital of the world, but we certainly are a major player," Piecuch said.
Sun also is the exclusive licensee for the newly patented Dual-Grip hand rings for wheel chairs and is the exclusive U.S. distributor for the Finnish bicycle tire manufacturer Nokian Tyres.
And Sun will continue to seek out new markets for the next 50 years, Piecuch said.
"The evolution of the products we're involved with - wheels and wheeled goods, will continue. But we're also looking into other markets as there are technological advances," he said. "We're heavily involved in the bicycle racing industry - mountain bikes more than road racing. And we've become a major supplier of wheels for the BMX circuit."
Sun is so involved with BMX racing that the firm is present at major BMX racing events to provide technical assistance, much like Goodyear and Firestone engineers do for motorsports events like the Indianapolis 500 or the Daytona 500.
Sun also recently purchased the New Jersey firm Ringle, which makes bicycle seat posts and wheel hubs. Expansion into these other markets can be expected to continue for Sun's next 50 years, Piecuch said.
"As we look out into the future, it's the development of these new products that will be most important," he said. "The majority of our products have a life cycle of less than 30 years. So it will be important for us to stay vigilant for new markets and new products.
"We do see ourselves, as a company, moving into the aftermarket of the racing industry more and more," he said.
Sun now has 200 employees in all three plants. Their dedicated employees following the company's motto, "Customer satisfaction keeps us rolling," will keep Sun on the cutting edge for the next 50 years, Piecuch said.
