Ohio Machinery Co. president receives Corporate Kindness Award

Ken Taylor, president of Ohio Machinery Co., is the 2023 recipient of the Malden Mills Corporate Kindness Award for his support of such institutions as the Cleveland Metroparks, Cleveland Orchestra and the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio. Photo provided.

Every holiday season, people passing by Ohio CAT's Broadview Heights location can see Santa Claus perched on his "sleigh" – one of the company's wheel loaders – leading the "reindeer" skid steer loaders, with the lead vehicle sporting a red light nose.

It's a tradition residents look forward to. And while St. Nick only brings his largess around once a year, the company's president, Ken Taylor, believes in sharing his generosity all year long.

That's why Taylor, a resident of Rocky River and president of Ohio Machine Co., was chosen to receive the 2023 Malden Mills Corporate Kindness Award, presented June 7 by the Values-in-Action Foundation.

"I have philanthropy in my genes," said Taylor, the third generation of his family to lead the company, about its long legacy of giving back to the communities where it operates.

"Ken Taylor is a unique CEO who leads with heart and runs his enterprise with ‘employees’ as extended family," stated Stuart Muszynski, president and CEO of Values-in-Action Foundation, in a news release.

The award recognizes the leadership demonstrated by Aaron Feuerstein, CEO of Malden Mills, who paid his 3,500 employees their full salaries while the plant was rebuilt following a devastating fire.

The long list of institutions supported by Taylor include the Cleveland Metroparks, the Cleveland Orchestra, Junior Achievement and the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio.

Taylor also backs the Cleveland Browns, the Cleveland Cavaliers, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, the USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation, The Ohio State University, the National Museum of the United States Air Force, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The company was founded in 1945 Taylor's grandfather, Thomas Taylor Sr., whom he called "the quintessential salesman."

His father, Thomas Jr., attended the Wharton School of Business, joining the company in 1959 and bringing professional management and marketing techniques to the operation.

Ken's grandmother volunteered at the Flower Cart at University Hospitals, his mother volunteered at Hannah Perkins School, and his father served on the board of directors of St. Luke's Hospital for many years.

After earning a bachelor's degree in economics from Amherst College, Ken Taylor joined the business in 1988, working "from the ground up" in parts and service, finance, machine sales and other areas before assuming the presidency in 1994.

Today the company operates 41 locations in 37 cities and towns, with 1,700 employees as a dealer of such brands as Ohio CAT and Ohio Peterbilt.

While working at locations in Appalachian Ohio, Taylor said he "really became attached to the people and the region."

He later "literally stumbled across" the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio, which is dedicated to creating opportunities for the residents of the 32-county region, which has higher poverty and unemployment rates than the rest of the state.

The region also has a philanthropy gap, according to FAO. Appalachian Ohio has $762 per person earmarked for grants, scholarships and non-profit organizations. The figure for the rest of the state is more than $7,000 per person.

That's why Taylor and Ohio CAT stepped in to donate $1 million to assist current residents and future generations.

Half of the funding was unrestricted and is aimed to spark an influx of giving.

The remaining funds were slated to be part of a matching challenge grant program to support the foundation's Pillars of Prosperity: education, health and human services, community and economic development, arts and culture and environmental stewardship.

Taylor said he is fortunate and grateful to be part of a legacy founded on good people, hard work and focusing on the community.

"Next time you see a CAT yellow machine, remember, it's building more than you think," FAO's website points out.

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