We like to think our agency is a long-lost relative of The Verdin Company – because they are one of the most inspirational companies we know.
Perhaps we should backtrack, because it might sound like we’re just talking about ourselves here…
When we say The Verdin Company, we’re not talking about a marketing agency in San Luis Obispo, but a manufacturer of cast bronze bells, carillons, clocks and towers in Cincinnati, Ohio.
We first connected with Verdin Company several years ago, through the commonality of a fabulous name. Mary and her family actually got to visit their bell factory in 2013. We’ve stayed in touch, and this year we began working with them as a marketing partner. Our agency has been continually inspired as we’ve learned their story and begun helping them with communication efforts surrounding their 175th anniversary.
The Verdin Company was founded in 1842 by French immigrant brothers Francois de Sales and Michel Verdin. They installed their first product, a tower clock, at Old St. Mary’s Church in Cincinnati, Ohio.
In the past 175 years, the company’s work has created focal points in public spaces around the world. The Smithsonian Institute, Walt Disney World and the World Peace Bell are just three of the more than 70,000 installations displaying their craftsmanship.
Along with recognizing their 175th anniversary in business, The Verdin Company is now the oldest family-owned business in Ohio.
Throughout the years, their innovations have included:
– Invention of the first electric bell ringer in America (previously, all bells were rung by hand) (1927)
– Introduction of electrification to many installations that were previously manually operated (1930s and 40s)
– Installation of the largest swinging cast bell in America (1999)
– Evolution into becoming the only traveling bell foundry in the world
And they’re still in full operation today! The Verdin Company will be celebrating in September with an anniversary event, and in very fitting style, they have casted a commemorative bell to recognize the milestone.
