Ramco Tool

Ramco Tool has long and rich heritage dating back to 1964 when Bill Schramm, an expert machinist at Elgin National Watch Company, founded the company to offer his exceptional skills to a broader range of industries and applications. Long before computers became commonplace on the plant floor, Bill purchased some of the first NC milling machines and NC lathes to improve the quality, repeatability and cost of the parts he was providing his customers. Soon thereafter, program tapes were spinning through the machines. With the help of this new technology and Bill’s talent, Ramco quickly grew and began making parts for companies such as Packaging Corporation of America, Kaiser Aluminum, Dresser, Schlumberger and Tenneco Packaging – everything from pie dies to machine parts. Now, well into his 70s, Bill decided to pass the torch and sell Ramco, but not to just anyone. Bill interviewed many potential buyers to be sure they would successfully continue the legacy of Ramco, a business built on integrity and quality - then he met Don Beene Sr.  Don Beene Sr. purchased Ramco in 1984 and tasked his son, Don Beene Jr. and one other employee to grow the business. Don Jr. was an experienced fabricator who moved up through the ranks at local companies such as Matthews Company, a grain dryer manufacturer, and Knaack Manufacturing, a toolbox manufacturer, where he eventually became the plant manager. Don was well-experienced at making high quality products for great companies and was ready to accept a new challenge. Don moved quickly to convince his good friend and talented engineer, Tom Weiner to join Ramco. Together, they faced many challenges from recessions and a manufacturing exodus overseas to navigating new technologies and corporate regulations. There were many milestones, however, ranging from implementing new technologies to speed production, improve quality and reduce cost to partnering with customers to develop new products. One of these partnerships led to acquisition of the Tenneco Lid Closure and Spare Parts business from Tenneco Packaging in September of 1998.  As of July, 2015, Ramco is now owned and managed by Curt Kenney. Curt grew up working in his father’s industrial motor company where he gained valuable work ethic and management experience from a very early age. His impressive resume includes more than 25 years of working for some of the world’s largest custom automation companies and developing innovative solutions for food and beverage, automotive, life sciences, and consumer products industries to name a few. Curt’s vision is to take Ramco’s history of providing exceptional value, quality and delivery and partner with our customers to add new manufacturing technologies and techniques where appropriate to deliver mutually competitive solutions.  For the last 30 years Ramco has continued innovate and grow, partner and progress. Our strong roots will help us to continue the tradition that was started more than 50 years ago.