Tucked away in Commerce Park, Beachwood boasts several cutting-edge manufacturing companies. These businesses aren’t just keeping up with the latest trends — they’re setting them. From building better roads to making renewable energy a reality, Beachwood’s businesses are at the forefront of innovation. With its prime location and dedication to being business friendly, the city attracts forward-thinking companies shaping the future of manufacturing across the globe.
From Cleveland Roots to Global Reach
Eaton has deep roots in the Cleveland area. The company is known for its intelligent power management systems. Eaton caters to a wide range of industries, including data centers, utilities, industrial, commercial, machine building, residential, aerospace and mobility markets.
“We’re dedicated to protecting the environment and improving the quality of life for people everywhere,” says Kelly Jasko, vice president of corporate communications at Eaton.
Change and innovation are hallmarks of the Eaton business model. Initially a truck axle company in the 1920s, Eaton eventually expanded its product range to include automotive components. Between the 1970s and 1990s, the company diversified into the industrial, electrical and aerospace markets. Today, Eaton operates in 160 countries, employs nearly 94,000 people and reported revenues of $23.2 billion in 2023.
At its core, Eaton is dedicated to enhancing sustainability and efficiency. “Our work is helping to power the world’s transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy,” says Jasko.
Eaton’s innovative products are part of the move toward a more environmentally friendly future. By providing solutions to give customers the ability to manage power safely and sustainably, Eaton plays a crucial role in lowering carbon emissions and curbing global warming. “Our products and solutions are enabling our customers and stakeholders to achieve their sustainability goals,” Jasko adds.
People are also part of what drives new ideas at Eaton. The company’s emphasis on inclusion creates a workplace where varied perspectives and talents thrive, sparking creativity and innovation. “We’re continuing to create an inclusive and engaging workplace where every employee has an opportunity to learn, grow and thrive,” says Jasko. This inclusive culture not only attracts top talent but also nurtures a collaborative spirit, pushing the company toward groundbreaking ideas and solutions.
Beachwood is an ideal home for a global corporation like Eaton. With easy access to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, global travel and worldwide connectivity are always within reach.
“Beachwood offers excellent amenities such as top-notch dining, shopping centers and health care facilities to our employees and visitors,” adds Jasko.
Precision in Motion
With headquarters in Beachwood, Helix Linear Technologies specializes in linear motion products. The company manufactures items like lead screws, ball screws and linear actuators. Unlike the fasteners available at hardware stores, which are designed to secure or prevent movement, Helix’s products are engineered to do one simple job — they help objects move more precisely.
Helix’s innovative products cater to customers who need to ensure accurate movements. “Our products are used anywhere that precise motion is required in a clean and compact solution,” says Chris Nook, CEO of Helix Linear Technologies.
Without knowing it, you may have come across a Helix product in your daily life. The company’s components are essential to some medical devices and laboratory automation equipment. For instance, Helix screws are used for raising and lowering hospital beds and operating patient tables in MRI machines.
Helix Linear Technologies serves thousands of customers worldwide, offering both custom-designed and off-the-shelf products. One of its clients is working to automate the blood-drawing process, demonstrating the advanced applications of Helix’s technology. Additionally, the company’s products play a crucial role in 3D printers, some of which can print human skin or tissue cells.
The aerospace sector is another area where Helix is driving innovation. Helix components can be found in drone wing flaps and commercial and business aircraft seating mechanisms. In July 2024, Helix showcased its advancements at the London Air Show. “The people we meet with there are building aircraft,” says Nook. “They would come to us for an actuator that might lock a door or open up doors on landing gear.”
As technology changes, Helix has also modified its workspace to meet market demands. One of the latest trends is increased automation in manufacturing. Collaborative robots, also known as cobots, are designed to work safely alongside humans but can also handle monotonous or repetitive tasks. With customers across North and South America and Europe, this automation helps Helix stay competitive.
Despite global pressure to reduce costs, Helix remains committed to maintaining high quality. “We are one of the few companies left in the United States that do this type of work,” says Nook. “There are some lower-cost manufacturers around the world, but those are for applications that don’t require as much precision as our customers do.” The supportive business environment in Beachwood has enabled Helix to expand and innovate continually, reinforcing its position as a leader in the linear motion industry.
Concrete Marvels
Did you know concrete is the world’s most widely used artificial material? Master Builders Solutions, a supplier of specialty admixtures, is not only a leader in technological advancement in the concrete industry but also a global influencer.
Admixtures are formulations added into the concrete mixture during the mixing process to enhance its specific properties. For example, a builder might need concrete that hardens very fast or can withstand a lot of applied load. In the design of One World Trade Center in New York City, the engineers needed concrete that would be fluid for a considerable amount of time to allow it to be pumped all the way to the top of the 1,776-foot tower. Master Builders Solutions provided admixture technologies and expertise to make that possible.
Founded in Cleveland in 1909, Master Builders Solutions moved to Beachwood in 1980. This global company operates 13 manufacturing facilities across the U.S. and Canada. While not a manufacturing site, the Beachwood location is a hub of innovation. Over 200 patents have been granted for inventions created on-site at Beachwood.
These cutting-edge products have not only revolutionized the industry but have also left their mark on some of the world’s most well-known projects. “Master Builders Solutions developed the first water-reducing admixture for concrete back in the 1930s,” says Bruce Christensen, president of Master Builders Solutions in the U.S. and Canada. “It was then used in the construction of the Hoover Dam.” More recently, in 2018, the company’s waterproofing admixture was used at the International Space Station to evaluate concrete mixtures at zero gravity.
Master Builders Solutions’ products have been used in iconic structures such as One World Trade Center in New York City, Pier 27 in Toronto and the Willis Tower in Chicago. Locally, its state-of-the-art admixtures have been used in many of Cleveland’s highways, bridges, sidewalks, skyscrapers and underground tunnels. They have also been used to construct landmarks like the Key Tower, Great Lakes Science Center, the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Museum.
Construction projects have a major environmental impact, and Master Builders Solutions is at the forefront of the movement to develop products that promote sustainability. “For anybody building today, an important objective is to reduce the carbon footprint of the project,” says Christensen. “All efforts are to eventually get to net zero carbon.” Master Builders Solutions has unique admixture technologies that help significantly reduce the embodied carbon in concrete.
Other products enable the beneficial use of leftover concrete. One admixture allows fresh concrete to be recycled for reuse, while another transforms leftover concrete into road base material.
In addition to innovative research and design, the Beachwood facility serves as the headquarters for U.S. and Canadian operations. Including towering skyscrapers and critical infrastructure, the products developed locally by Master Builders Solutions are helping to build the cities of tomorrow.
Pioneering an EV Revolution
BASF, a multinational company with over 150 production and research and development sites across the United States, includes a research and development location in Beachwood. Known for its diverse portfolio, from chemicals and materials to industrial solutions, surface technologies, nutrition & care and agricultural solutions, BASF also stands out because it invests more in research and development than any other chemical company in the world — over $2.1 billion globally.
In 2002, the company acquired its Beachwood location, which is home to about 75 fulltime employees. The facility plays an essential role in the research and development of new cathode-active materials, with a focus on serving North American customers. These materials are used in lithium-ion batteries — the type found in electric vehicles.
Scientists at the Beachwood location contribute to global research efforts. Their work includes creating new battery materials and enhancing the existing battery products in BASF’s portfolio.
With the growing interest in electric vehicles, BASF is leading the way in developing cutting-edge technologies for the EV market. “Through industry-leading research and development platforms and a tradition for innovation, BASF’s battery materials unit develops unique solutions for customers,” says Rob Prunchak, site manager at BASF in Beachwood. BASF has invested heavily to develop innovative lithium-ion battery recycling processes, reinforcing its commitment to environmental stewardship.
Like many in the manufacturing field, sustainability trends are significantly influencing BASF. The company’s chemical catalysts are essential for the chemical and energy industries. These products speed up chemical reactions, helping customers increase yields, reduce energy consumption and enhance competitiveness.
The chemical industry’s drive to use more renewable feedstocks such as biomass also requires new and robust catalysts to deal with their unique and variable characteristics, such as oxygen and water content. Using a biomass solution can help companies reduce the amount of CO2 emissions they put into the environment.
Another notable innovation is the company’s liquid natural gas (LNG) pretreatment technology, which effectively removes impurities from natural gas before it enters the liquefaction section of an LNG plant.
“The drive toward renewable energy and the need to reduce greenhouse gases are critical trends influencing BASF,” says Prunchak. By leveraging its technological expertise, BASF aims to develop sustainable solutions that address the most challenging needs of its customers.
Automation Innovation
A new addition to Beachwood’s manufacturing community is Millennium Control Systems, a cutting-edge company shaping the future of manufacturing with innovative automation solutions.
Founded by a team of engineers, the company has evolved from a small startup at a kitchen table to a robust company with nearly 100 employees. Today, clients include Fortune 500 businesses such as Georgia Pacific, First Solar, Novelis and Guardian Glass.
The company’s impact is evident at Goodyear’s tire plants in Oklahoma and North Carolina, where control systems have been upgraded to improve efficiency and reduce downtime.
Millennium Control Systems is also heavily focused on the growing EV industry, particularly emphasizing the power and energy sectors. The company is working with partners to enhance the lifespan and efficiency of EV batteries, which can be costly to replace.
At the end of this year, the company will open a new headquarters in Beachwood. This new, 115,000-square-foot facility will accommodate about 75 employees and help centralize operations and provide access to a wider talent pool.
“We are very excited to start the next chapter of our journey with the move of our headquarters to Beachwood and enjoy all the amenities and synergies of Beachwood,” says Joe Chuhran, Millennium Control Systems president and CFO.
