About Ketchum & Walton Co.
Committed, Innovative, & Always Here For You
Continuing a Legacy Over 75 Years in the Making
Warren Buffett once said, “Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” In our case, several people are responsible for where we are today, beginning with John Ketchum.
Humble Beginnings
In 1949, John Ketchum started a one-man manufacturers’ representative firm selling Aerovent Fans in Piqua, Ohio – a manufacturer we still represent to this day.
Growing the Vision
Later in 1964, Jim Walton, a native of Piqua, Ohio, joined the firm. Using his mechanical engineering and marketing background, Jim further expanded the vision for Ketchum & Walton Co.
Reaching New Heights
In 1980, Ketchum & Walton Co. received a major addition with the hiring of former President and current Chairman of the Board, A. Gregory Roberts. Under his leadership, the firm exploded with growth, first expanding throughout the state of Ohio and then into major markets across the Midwest and East Coast, including New York, Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Chicago, Virginia, Nashville, Indianapolis, and Kentucky.
Developing an Ownership Mindset
In 1999, we celebrated our 50th anniversary by becoming employee owned. Also, under Greg’s leadership, the ‘Core Group’ was developed to assist in managing our rapid expansion, which included Dan Kreemer, Chris Larger, Sam Glaviano, Jim Shirk, Mike Bowen, and our current President and CEO, Jay Ford. However, the team wasn’t complete without our beloved, Susan Woods, who provided much-needed internal support. As an ESOP, each of these employees approached challenges with an ownership mindset, which is a value ingrained within our organization even to this day.
Continuing the Legacy
Led today by our President & CEO, Jay Ford, we continue to expand operations beyond our current 10 offices located throughout the Midwest and East Coast. Jay’s inspiring vision for the future permeates throughout our entire organization, motivating the next generation of leaders to continue a legacy over 75 years in the making.
Our Executive Team
Jay Ford
President & CEO
Columbus, Ohio
Mary Beth Koester
Chief Financial Officer
Columbus, Ohio
Roy Williams
Vice President of Sales
Secaucus, New Jersey
Mark Murfitt
Vice President of Operations
Columbus, Ohio
Our Mission
Ketchum & Walton Co. is an employee-owned company that provides a home for committed, innovative, and driven individuals in a successful and entrepreneurial environment. We provide value to our clients through engineered solutions and product application in the areas of Air Filtration, Architectural and Interior Noise Control, HVAC equipment, and Vibration Isolation.
We partner with market leaders focused on continuous and never-ending improvement in research, development, and technology. We are committed to providing products, services, and solutions that will positively impact the bottom line through cost savings and efficiencies. We actively contribute to a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future by enhancing acoustics, promoting air purification, and optimizing energy consumption.
Our Vision
To cultivate and sustain a World Class, employee-owned (ESOP) company by actively contributing to a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future through our culture, processes, and technology.
Our Values
Be Humble
We show respect to others and value the uniqueness that each employee contributes to our culture.
One Team
We are exceptional because of our relationships and believe the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. We are deeply committed to our collective success, both that of ourselves and of our partners.
Ownership Mindset
As a 100% employee-owned company, we own the outcome. We act with a sense of urgency. We think big, prioritize, take action, and hold ourselves accountable.
Be Bold
Driven to deliver continuous innovation and inspire creativity. We find opportunity in failure and are ever-evolving.
Employee Owned Since 1999
The Story of Our Acquisitions
Bost & Filtrex, Inc.
In 2008, The Ketchum & Walton Co. acquired Robert Bost Associates to further expand their architectural acoustic product offering. Four years later, in 2012, Ketchum & Walton Co. acquired Filtrex Corporation. After operating independently for the first few years, Robert Bost Associates and Filtrex Corporation merged in 2017, forming Bost & Filtrex, Inc. (BFI).
Huff Company
In 2013, Ketchum & Walton Co. acquired Huff Company to expand their operations in the Midwest. After this acquisition, Huff Company began serving the HVAC and Air Filtration markets in addition to their noise control offerings, making them the go-to partner in the Chicago area.
Southern Kinetics
Vibration Products
Vibration Products, now located in Secaucus, New Jersey, was founded by Dick Paris in 1973. As a young company, Dick partnered with Paul Brown to further expand their Architectural and HVAC operations in the New York Metropolitan area. In 2000, Ketchum & Walton Co. purchased Vibration Products to penetrate the New York market, making them the first of many acquisitions. Ketchum & Walton Co. quickly began investing in the newly acquired territory by partnering with Mel Salzman in 2002 to broaden our product offering for acoustical solutions.
Several other talented individuals were added to the VPI team that would later play pivotal roles in Ketchum & Walton Co.’s overall leadership. These included the former VP of Sales at Industrial Acoustics Company, Bob Buelow, our current VP of Sales, Roy Williams, and our very own President & CEO, Jay Ford. The acquisition of VPI has proven to be a significant investment both in terms of profitability and employee mentorship.
