History

Nutron Nameplate was founded in 1950 by Ray Butchko. Working from his home in the early days, with help from his wife Dorothy, Ray was able to provide a product and service that was not readily available at the time: high quality, quickly delivered, machine engraved metal and plastic nameplates and tags.

As his reputation for the product and good service began to build, a move to larger quarters became necessary. In the late 50’s a small warehouse/shop was leased in Fairview Park, Ohio. Two engraving machines quickly grew to four, and several employees were hired to help produce for a growing list of customers.

Simultaneous to this growth of the business, new technologies were emerging in the photographic, etching and metal decorating fields. Significant investments of time and capital were made to develop new manufacturing methods that could make products similar to machine engraved but with much higher quality and greater efficiency. Through Ray’s efforts, Nutron was one of the first companies in the country to work with people from the Kodak and 3M Corporations to develop photo resist methods for the etching process, and inks for the offset metal decorating process.

In 1964, Nutron re-located to a plant of approximately 2500 square feet in North Olmsted, Ohio to accommodate these new processes and additional staff. Over the next 13 years, Ray and his staff added processes such as screen printing and roll label products. Art and fabrication departments were added to support the new products being produced. Nutrons’ list of customers seeking quality and good service continued to grow helped by the variety of products it was able to produce.

In 1978 the company moved to its current location in western North Olmsted. The new plant was more than triple in size with new offices, an art department, etching, screening, fabricating and shipping departments. During the early 70’s and 80’s his three sons Russ, Ray Jr, and Ron became active in the business, part time at first, then full time following their high school and college years.

Reflective of its’ history, Nutron continued to be on the leading edge of technologies to manufacture product identification. In the 80’s and early 90’s, substantial investments were made in machinery and equipment for fabricating and decorating. Acting as a Beta site for a new manufacturer, Nutron was one of the first companies in the country to develop a photo electric registration method for fabrication.

National recognition began to grow as well. The company had begun to capitalize on its standardization of a line of safety nameplate and label products designed for machinery. And through surveys conducted in 1991 and 1992 by the nationally recognized magazine Appliance Manufacturer, respondents declared by write-in that Nutron was among Top Ten Suppliers in the country for nameplates and labels.

To support additional capacity and an ever-growing customer list, an expansion begun in 1992 was completed in 1993. The new additions more than doubled the plant size to approximately 15000 sq.ft. Modernization and upgrades of all departments were made, offices were expanded and remodeled, and a warehouse and new processing facilities were added.

In the year 2000, Nutron Nameplate celebrated its 50th anniversary year with its employees, suppliers and many hundreds of customers. Now in its second generation, the business enters the new millennium with a staff that operates in a culture of shared business and people values (Shared Values). Its customers benefit from the ability of the Nutron team to provide high quality, quickly delivered products, just like Ray did when it all began.