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Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v09n02)
Cardinal Manufacturing has long history - By Mario Morone
by Mario Morone
posted: Jan. 20, 2012

Laura and Jim Mulligan's company, Cardinal Manufacturing, create many distinctive hospital and office building signs for businesses around Indianapolis.

Cardinal Manufacturing at 1055 East 52nd Street.
Cardinal Manufacturing at 1055 East 52nd Street.
Quan


The business first operated (as Ferrell Hardware) at 710 East 52nd Street where Artcraft Upholstering is today. Founder Bob Ferrell built a new facility at 1055 East 52nd Street in 1945. Jim purchased the business from him in January of 1989.
Recalling his early days there, Jim said, "I started working at Ferrell Hardware on January 21, 1981, located at 1055 East 52nd Street. It was the only business that ever occupied that building. Bob Ferrell built that business and the (residential) double next to it. They were in the Builders Central Hardware area that made locksets, door handles and hinges. Some of the employees there worked for Bob."
"He added the back shop in the 1960s and started manufacturing his own hardware items, primarily flat plates and his own line of door pulls. I was primarily involved with engraving signs on old pantograph machines. We were the first company in Indianapolis to buy a computer numeric controlled (CNC) machine. My job was phased out with the computer technology in hardware and sheet metal fabrication. The advent of CNC made the company a high volume producer. We had a couple of sheet metal products, but decided to focus on the interior sign business since the facility wasn't set up for sheet metal products," Jim explained.
Jim described Cardinal Manufacturing's current work: "We do interior architectural signs for corporate, medical and tenant-occupied facilities around the state. We've had a couple of national accounts as well. We still do custom sheet metal work and one of our near term objectives is to bring back this business. We've brought in a sheet metal fabricator. Our customers are some of Indianapolis largest property managers, hospitals and pharmaceutical companies. We've also worked with restaurants."

Cardinal Manufacturing has long history - By Mario Morone
image courtesy of Mario Morone
Quan


Cardinal Manufacturing's niche is being one of the few local companies producing signage for a diverse customer base. Prospective customers can call 283-4175 or e-mail sales@cardinalMFGinc.com for a work estimate. Their website, www.cardinalMFGinc.com, contains various examples of their products with more information.
They recently moved into a new brick building next door at 1095 East 52nd Street.
"What brought about the move was a need for more space. Purchasing this building was a nice opportunity for us. This was formerly Jacobson Pattern Works and Alloy Ring Service. My brother, Neal, was an apprentice pattern maker at Jacobson. He also performed the electrical work throughout the building and introduced me to Bob Ferrell next door. That's how I got my job," he explained.
An accident in March of 2011 expedited the move. An intoxicated driver crashed into the building's entrance late at night. "We had not planned on moving the offices, just the signage machinery, but not intending to build or repaint," Laura said. The accident changed that, but utilizing her landscape and interior design skills, she created an office featuring soft earth tone colors that provides a quiet workspace. Located off a shop floor that can be customized depending on client needs, their 10 employees work on various projects.
"It's terrific to be over here where Jim and I get to share an office. I do the bookkeeping and Jim is the primary salesperson," she added. Laura is president and majority owner of the business, which allows Jim to focus on their customers. The Mulligan's partnership role is similar to past couples working in the facility.
Bob Farrell's wife, Mary, was a bookkeeper at their hardware business while Dick's wife, Marie, did Jacobson's bookkeeping. Although the two companies were next door to each other, they didn't socialize together. Dick was a combat veteran in World War II while Bob, who received a deferment, was a former locksmith at Naval Avionics. Jim knew both men and considers each of them a mentor.
When Bob prepared to retire, his protégé was well trained and familiar with the business. "Jim was the only one who knew how to manufacture the product. He worked a full-time job during the day and a part-time job at night. When I first met Jim, he was working at Dispensit that manufactured machines dispensing lubricant and sealants. Ken Miller owned it and leased space in the Cardinal Manufacturing facility," Laura mentioned. Ken had good rapport with his workers and taught Jim about employee relations, later implementing these interpersonal skills in expanding the company.
Laura recalled, "Bob saw the spark in Jim with his aptitude to learn on the job. After Bob underwent an operation to have his larynx removed, he spoke in an esophageal method of speech, without benefit of a voice box. Jim learned how to read lips and communicated with Bob, who went on to invent the E-Z Breathe Filter for those having a laryngectomy. We were involved in making this product, which turned out to be a big seller. Its cash flow eventually financed Jim's purchase of the business."

Cardinal Manufacturing has long history - By Mario Morone
image courtesy of Mario Morone
Quan


Laura worked as a landscape architect with James Architects and Engineers when she first met Jim on New Year's Eve in 1987. Her landscaping work included a project at Bob's house. After working for Bob for many years, Jim entered into a contract with his mentor to buy the business. Meeting Laura for the first time, Bob gave Jim his approval on both. Jim and Laura were married in 1990 and are partners in Cardinal Manufacturing as well.
An economic slowdown in 2001 brought another change. "We invested in management software so we could track our customer orders, sending our products out right the first time. We concentrated in getting our network and data correct and can look at every customer order that has gone out since September 11th," Jim said.
"We have a green sign system that is an environmentally friendly system that we've been doing for a while and we want to promote that. We're planning a retail sign shop next door in the future. We're interested in creating more business-to-business sales," he said.
Jim reflected on the company's success over the years. "What really built Cardinal Manufacturing is a company that had the market locked up in the city. When you buy an owner-occupied business, the customer is looking for a company that can do the job right the first time. We set out to do the same things right. We're a relationship company and have had long-term relationships with our customers because we are consistent. We've had customers in Indianapolis that we've done signs for the same building for three and four generations," Jim noted.
"We're consistent and we deliver. We're innovative as manage our costs. Our customers trust us. We have no outside salespeople. We've built the company on referrals. While Laura conducts the daily operations, I'm back at working to get the welding shop built and generating new customer relationships. If a customer calls and needs me, I'll be there. Our goal is to turn over our communications (estimates, customer service, etc.) in 24-hour cycle. Customers will give you some leeway, but you should never take that for granted. When I'm on a sales call, I know exactly what we can and can't do. We make what we sell. We've worked with some really great customers. All you have to do is listen to the customer. I think we've honored the generation before us that took a chance on us," he surmised.
Bob Ferrell, Dick Jacobson and Ken Miller would be proud at how Jim and Laura Mulligan have revitalized the facility's operations today. In a challenging industrial environment, Cardinal Manufacturing's flight to success is an economic sign of the times.

Cardinal Manufacturing has long history - By Mario Morone
image courtesy of Mario Morone
Quan


Cardinal Manufacturing has long history - By Mario Morone
Quan


Cardinal Manufacturing has long history - By Mario Morone
Quan


Cardinal Manufacturing has long history - By Mario Morone
image courtesy of Mario Morone
Quan


Cardinal Manufacturing has long history - By Mario Morone
image courtesy of Mario Morone
Quan


Cardinal Manufacturing has long history - By Mario Morone
image courtesy of Mario Morone
Quan


Cardinal Manufacturing has long history - By Mario Morone
image courtesy of Mario Morone
Quan


Cardinal Manufacturing has long history - By Mario Morone
image courtesy of Mario Morone
Quan


Cardinal Manufacturing has long history - By Mario Morone
image courtesy of Mario Morone
Quan


Cardinal Manufacturing has long history - By Mario Morone
image courtesy of Mario Morone
Quan


Cardinal Manufacturing has long history - By Mario Morone
image courtesy of Mario Morone
Quan


Cardinal Manufacturing has long history - By Mario Morone
image courtesy of Mario Morone
Quan





mario@broadripplegazette.com
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