TRUMBULL COUNTY City job is a new start for ex-owner

The safety director began working at age 12 on Youngstown's West Side.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HUBBARD -- William L. Jugenheimer has found it somewhat frustrating going from being a successful businessman to public servant.
"I'm a newborn baby. I have to begin to walk again," said the 75-year-old Jugenheimer, who was named safety director by Mayor Arthur U. Magee the first of the year.
Jugenheimer founded Jugenheimer Industrial Supplies Inc. in 1976 at his then-Ruth Drive home with four employees -- three sons and a daughter-in-law.
When he retired 10 years ago and turned the company over to his sons, the company employed 40 workers involved in distributing bolts, nuts and other fasteners.
"It isn't as easy to get things done as in the private sector," Jugenheimer said, noting that a decision is made in business and the task is carried out.
Jugenheimer views a lack of communications with department heads as a hurdle he has to overcome. He believes that he must know what's going on in other departments so he can relate to citywide issues.
Work attitude
Although the safety director's position is part-time, Jugenheimer said he has to put in a full day.
"I don't think I could attempt to learn it by working part-time," he said, adding that there is difficulty communicating with department heads to resolve problems before a city council meeting.
Jugenheimer is originally from Youngstown's West Side, getting his first job scrubbing floors at a drugstore at Mahoning and Schenley avenues.
"I didn't like school," Jugenheimer recalled, dropping out of Chaney High School because of his dislike for history and English.
"I didn't enjoy school. I enjoyed working," he said.
He worked at General Fireproofing Co. on Youngstown's North Side, then at Stambaugh-Thompson Co. on Federal Street, where he cut glass, metal and fencing.
He installed fencing on weekends before he started his own fencing company. Other jobs included sales and repairing appliance motors.
At one point, Jugenheimer explained, he increased the sales of a territory from $300,000 annually to $2 million in one year.
He then decided to go into business for himself in 1976. In 1978, he moved his business from his home to a former service station on Hubbard's Main Street.
Several moves
The business ran out of space, and he bought an adjoining building in 1981. By this time, he had 10 employees. Nine years later, he had 20 employees.
Because of the need for more space, the move was made to state Routes 7/62 in Hubbard Township. And with an addition to the original building, the company now operates out of a 45,000-square-foot facility.
"We've had wonderful growth," he said.
Jugenheimer took a year off work before retiring in 1993. He wanted to remodel his home and see if his sons could handle the business.
His sons each own a third of the business. Son Larry is in charge of purchasing, Richard is president and Glen is the sales manager.
"I don't believe any company can make it without good employees. And you work for customers because they pay the bills," Jugenheimer said.
He pointed out that he didn't make a decision without discussing it with his employees. That employee involvement and his efforts to not repeat mistakes led to his business success, he said.
yovich@vindy.com