By NAOMI SNYDER Staff Writer ORRVILLE - Roger Rehm, president of Tring Corporation, says his love of camping led him to develop laser cut fire rings - a product that may mean more jobs at the business.
The fire rings are made of steel and offer campers a way to personalize their camp, according to Roger Rehm. "I've been a camper many years, and many people use traditional fire rings for their fire," Roger Rehm said. The rings come in several themes, including fresh water fish, American motorcycle, Amish and airplanes.
"It's nice to watch the flames behind the
silhouettes," Roger Rehm said. The rings are coated in a special high
temperature paint and can be coupled with cooking grill kits and pot .holders.
"The cooking grill raises and lowers and rotates off the fire. You can work on
whatever you're cooking
without getting burnt," Roger Rehm said. The
company at 8991 East Lincoln Way has been in business for 30 years and employs
35, but Roger Rehm said strong sales of the fire rings could increase the work
force. "This is our first retail product, and we've created a Web site to
market them," Roger Rehm said. "We're actually even hiring a few people right
now." Roger Rehm's son Tim Rehm designed the artistic aspects of the fire rings.
He said he may be able to create masterpieces using steel and a computer
program, but his creative side stops there. "I am not artistic with a paper and
pen. I can't draw to save my life," Tim Rehm said. "It takes a little bit of
time. These rings are interesting. They have their own challenges. "Challenges
are different than those found on Tring's manufacturing side, Roger Rehm said.
"We produce fabricated metal parts for other companies and design and build
automated equipment," Roger Rehm said. The fire rings, are selling well at the
Bargain Barn, a flea-market co-owned by Roger Rehm. "We've been test marketing
at the flea market, and what I've found is everybody is an individual.
Everybody has their favorite ring," Roger Rehm said.
For more information about the fire rings, visit www.tringthings.com/firering or call (330) 683-7777.
Business Editor and health reporter Naomi Snyder can be reached at (330) 287-1623 or email nsnyder@the-dailyrecord.com .