A Century-Old Bronze Bearing Manufacturer in Bucyrus, Ohio

Ryder-Heil Bronze, a privately held U.S. company located in Bucyrus, Ohio, has announced a change in ownership. Long-time employee Herb Kleine has acquired the company from three other Ryder-Heil employees who had owned it since 1994.

The ownership change marks another chapter in Ryder-Heil’s rich history, which began in 1910 when P.H. Ryder founded the company as the Ryder Brass Foundry.

Originally focused solely on casting operations, the company expanded into finishing operations during the 1920s and steadily grew into a respected manufacturer of bearings, bushings, wear plates, and thrust washers.

Evolution of Ownership

  • 1910: Founded by P.H. Ryder as Ryder Brass Foundry.

  • 1979: Acquired by Raymond Heil.

  • 1994: Purchased by three Ryder-Heil employees.

  • 2023: Acquired by Herb Kleine, another dedicated Ryder-Heil employee.

This seamless transition ensures the company remains rooted in Bucyrus while preserving its long-standing commitment to craftsmanship and customer service.

Bearings and Bushings Capabilities

Ryder-Heil Bronze is widely recognized for its precision engineering in the bronze bearings and bushings industry. The company manufactures custom components with dimensions up to 42 inches OD.

In addition to production, Ryder-Heil provides a range of secondary machining services, including:

  • Drilling

  • Tapping

  • Countersinking

  • Adding a radius, split, chamfer, or oil groove

These additional capabilities allow customers to receive fully finished, ready-to-install components built to exact specifications.

Commitment to Quality and Local Jobs

Speaking about the acquisition, new owner Herb Kleine emphasized that the transition will be seamless: “Ryder-Heil is recognized as a leader in the bronze bearings and bushings industry because of our highly skilled people, our well-equipped facility, and our made-to-order products. Our experienced personnel ensure all parts are machined to customers’ precise tolerances to keep their machines running at peak performance. As a long-time locally owned business, we will continue to provide our clients the same exceptional quality and timely individualized customer service they have come to expect.”

Kleine confirmed that all jobs and operations will remain in Bucyrus, maintaining the company’s tradition as a locally owned and community-focused business.

Looking Ahead

With its new leadership, Ryder-Heil Bronze remains committed to precision machining, custom bronze bearings, and exceptional customer service. Backed by over a century of expertise, the company is well-positioned to continue serving industries that rely on durable, high-performance bronze components.