Here in the Toledo Region, family businesses are a cornerstone of our community, and Designetics is one such business. Designetics, a fluid application systems and solutions company, was founded here in northwest Ohio 35 years ago, and it's still family-owned and -operated. Our celebration of Women's History Month continues with a Q&A with Sydney Spraw, president of Designetics! Read about what Women's History Month means to Sydney, what she loves most about her job and how she got to where she is now. Enjoy!
Your Name and Title:
Sydney Spraw, President
Company Name:
Designetics, Inc.
Industry:
Manufacturing
Number of Employees:
70
Website:
www.designetics.com
Brief description of your business or organization:
Designetics is the leader in fluid application systems and solutions. We develop industrial fluid applicators and fluid applicators systems designed for liquid dispense, body panel adhesives, adhesive bonding, metal to metal adhesives and more. We have created thousands of proprietary applicators and if we don’t have a product to fit our customers’ needs, we will prototype new.
Were you born/raised in the Toledo Region? If so, where? If not, where and why/when did you move to the area?
I was born in Toledo and grew up in Sylvania. I went to St. Ursula. After graduation, I was gone for about five years and have lived in Toledo or Maumee since.
When did you launch your first business, and how did you get to where you are today?
Designetics started 35 years ago in my grandfather’s garage. He was an engineer, working to solve a problem for a customer. Our entire family worked in the business for years, supporting the growth. Early on, my dad, Craig Williams, took over as president. I’ve worked in or around the company my entire life and formally became an employee 17 year ago. I’ve worked almost all positions in the company and became the president three years ago. Each day, we fight to create new, develop, move the needle and become better than the day before.
What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
Women’s History Month is a reminder and celebration of all of the amazing women in the world doing unbelievable things and for those women who have paved the path. We have a rich history and I am proud to celebrate this!
What do you like most about your job?
Everything – I love what I do. Beyond anything else, I love and appreciate my employees. They teach me something every day (probably multiple times a day) and challenge me to learn, be different and strive to make Designetics a better place. I get to solve problem, make changes in people’s lives and in our community, and work on creating new products and processes.
What are some of your favorite things to do when you are not working?
Working out as this helps keep me grounded, spending time with family and friends and research on some of my side passions which include western art and Native American jewelry.
Have you had any special mentors or supporters that have helped guide your career or business?
Interestingly, I was just asked this question yesterday. First and foremost, my dad. He is everything I want to be and strive to become. I also have an anti-mentor of sorts that once told me something that has fueled my fire to prove him wrong.
Major accomplishment(s) that make(s) you proud?
Getting my Ph.D., the culture at Designetics and the success of my employees.
What are the benefits and struggles of owning a business in the Toledo Region?
Wow, this is a loaded question – how much time do we have?
Benefits:
1. Ability to make major change in the lives of others but inside the organization as well as the community.
2. Creating new
3. Moving the needle
4. Leadership
5. Watching others grow and flourish.
6. New product/market growth
Struggles:
1. Employee issues
2. Leadership
3. New product/market development
4. Growth of the business
5. Legal issues
6. Efficiency of processes
7. Quality of product
Sydney Spraw, President
Company Name:
Designetics, Inc.
Industry:
Manufacturing
Number of Employees:
70
Website:
www.designetics.com
Brief description of your business or organization:
Designetics is the leader in fluid application systems and solutions. We develop industrial fluid applicators and fluid applicators systems designed for liquid dispense, body panel adhesives, adhesive bonding, metal to metal adhesives and more. We have created thousands of proprietary applicators and if we don’t have a product to fit our customers’ needs, we will prototype new.
Were you born/raised in the Toledo Region? If so, where? If not, where and why/when did you move to the area?
I was born in Toledo and grew up in Sylvania. I went to St. Ursula. After graduation, I was gone for about five years and have lived in Toledo or Maumee since.
When did you launch your first business, and how did you get to where you are today?
Designetics started 35 years ago in my grandfather’s garage. He was an engineer, working to solve a problem for a customer. Our entire family worked in the business for years, supporting the growth. Early on, my dad, Craig Williams, took over as president. I’ve worked in or around the company my entire life and formally became an employee 17 year ago. I’ve worked almost all positions in the company and became the president three years ago. Each day, we fight to create new, develop, move the needle and become better than the day before.
What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
Women’s History Month is a reminder and celebration of all of the amazing women in the world doing unbelievable things and for those women who have paved the path. We have a rich history and I am proud to celebrate this!
What do you like most about your job?
Everything – I love what I do. Beyond anything else, I love and appreciate my employees. They teach me something every day (probably multiple times a day) and challenge me to learn, be different and strive to make Designetics a better place. I get to solve problem, make changes in people’s lives and in our community, and work on creating new products and processes.
What are some of your favorite things to do when you are not working?
Working out as this helps keep me grounded, spending time with family and friends and research on some of my side passions which include western art and Native American jewelry.
Have you had any special mentors or supporters that have helped guide your career or business?
Interestingly, I was just asked this question yesterday. First and foremost, my dad. He is everything I want to be and strive to become. I also have an anti-mentor of sorts that once told me something that has fueled my fire to prove him wrong.
Major accomplishment(s) that make(s) you proud?
Getting my Ph.D., the culture at Designetics and the success of my employees.
What are the benefits and struggles of owning a business in the Toledo Region?
Wow, this is a loaded question – how much time do we have?
Benefits:
1. Ability to make major change in the lives of others but inside the organization as well as the community.
2. Creating new
3. Moving the needle
4. Leadership
5. Watching others grow and flourish.
6. New product/market growth
Struggles:
1. Employee issues
2. Leadership
3. New product/market development
4. Growth of the business
5. Legal issues
6. Efficiency of processes
7. Quality of product
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