Cleveland’s Manufacturing Industry

Cleveland’s manufacturing history starts in the 1800s when it was one of the first cities to become a major industrialization hub. The Land became a major transportation center, due first in part to easy access to the Great Lakes and the Ohio & Erie Canal, then later on because of newly constructed railroads, highways and eventually airports.

A wealth of mineral resources led to Cleveland’s rise as an iron and steel giant, with early buy-in from the U.S Steel Corp., along with the manufacturing of machine-tools, sewing machines and myriad other equipment that helped grow adjacent industries. John D. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil put Cleveland on the map for oil-refining while putting his mark on the city for his patronage and success.

A chemical industry started from a need for sulfuric acid for refineries, but grew to a wide range of industrial chemicals, including paint manufacturing by Sherwin-Williams. Cleveland’s automotive history also boasted three of the earliest manufacturers of gasoline, electric and steam automobiles.

Today, Cleveland boast innovation that will lead us into the future. After all, we're still working hard, always building and never taking the short or easy path.