Meet Our Team
The people behind almost 50 years of technical expertise, hands-on service, and trusted partnerships across five states.
A Foundation in Industry. Jim's journey began in 1964 with the Eutectic Welding Corporation, while he studied Marketing at Wright State University. His technical expertise later led him to teach basic metallurgy and tool & die welding at Progress Tech Apprentice School in Dayton, Ohio.
The Birth of Rumford Industrial Group. In 1980, Jim founded Rumford Industrial Group from a garage, with a laundry room serving as the first office. That same year, he became the Great Lakes region distributor for Belzona polymeric repair compounds and industrial protective coatings.
Growth and Legacy. With support from Belzona founder JS Svendsen, Jim expanded the business across Ohio, Indiana, Southern Illinois, Kentucky, and Michigan. In 2013, he established a state-of-the-art facility in Miamisburg, Ohio, used for the education and training of technical consultants, contractors, and industry leaders.
Beyond the Industrial World. Jim is also the author of Tobacco, Trusts, and Trump: How America's Forgotten War Created Big Government, drawing from one of the largest private collections of primary documents on the historical "Tobacco Wars" and their lasting impact on American government and the economy.
A Century of Service. Celebrating 62 years in industrial sales in 2026, Jim continues to lead with the same energy that sparked the company's founding. His commitment to excellence and his "100-year plan" ensure that his impact on the industry will continue for decades to come.
Rudi leads regional operations for Rumford Industrial Group, drawing on more than 20 years of hands-on technical sales and industrial engineering experience across the U.S. and South Africa.
From his early career in Cape Town working with mechanical seals and fluid systems to managing complex protective coating projects and regional sales teams, he has dedicated his career to helping industrial clients protect their assets and optimize performance. He takes a consultative, client-first approach—combining deep product knowledge in composite repairs, valves, and mechanical sealing with direct field support to solve unique operational challenges.
Rudi covers Ohio and Indiana with Rumford, supporting customers across both states with technical recommendations and in-field service.
Nate started with Rumford Industrial Group in 2024 as part of the customer service team and has since expanded into IT, sales support, and systems administration. He manages the company’s Zoho CRM, helps develop & maintain the company website, handles day-to-day IT needs, and supports the sales team.
Nate grew up in the Dayton area and graduated from Bowling Green State University in 2021. Outside of work, he enjoys travelling, hiking with his dog, and being around family & friends — with a healthy appetite for a good movie or game.
