Our Story

80+ Years of
American Craft

From a Swiss immigrant's vision to 175,000 square feet of manufacturing excellence in the heart of Ohio.

A Diversified Manufacturing Corporation

Urban Industries is headquartered in Galion, Ohio, operating three facilities with over 175,000 square feet of combined manufacturing space. We produce high-performance building products, industrial packaging, and custom fabrication solutions used across the United States.

Our motto says it all: "When it's all over, we want to feel good about what we have done."

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Eight Decades of History

From a single aluminum awning to a multi-division manufacturing powerhouse.

1940s - Pre-WWII
The Founding Vision

Joe Urban, a Swiss immigrant and commercial photographer, developed a self-supporting aluminum awning and established the company in Galion, Ohio - before America entered the Second World War.

1950s
Rapid Expansion

Joe expanded the factory seven times throughout the decade, growing the workforce to over 60 employees by 1957 and opening a second plant in Azuza, California.

1963 - 1975
Change of Hands

Following Joe Urban's passing in 1963, Jacque Jones acquired the company. The business struggled through the early 1970s, declining to just 6 employees.

1976
The Rieke Revival

Ed Rieke and partners purchased the struggling business and successfully revitalized operations through focused management and reinvestment - building the foundation for modern Urban Industries.

1992
Bulk Bag Division

Urban diversified with the launch of its Bulk Bag division, manufacturing custom polypropylene bags for industrial packaging applications.

1998
Appliance & Transportation

Entered appliance and transportation parts fabrication, expanding manufacturing capabilities and achieving national accreditation on major product lines.

2017 - Present
New Generation Leadership

Ned Rieke (Ed's son) assumed the CEO role, continuing the company's adaptive strategy and customer-focused approach into the modern era.

More Than Manufacturing

Urban Industries is committed to its community and the families it employs.

Community Support

Urban Industries actively gives back to the Galion community, supporting United Way, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and the Red Cross.

American Made Pride

Every product is manufactured with locally sourced American materials. We believe in the value of domestic manufacturing and craftsmanship.

Join Our Team or Start a Project

We're always looking for skilled professionals and new partners.

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