West Ohio Tool expands opportunities with WBE certification

West Ohio Tool, one of America’s leading manufacturers of custom-designed carbide, polycrystalline diamond (PCD) and cubic boron nitride (CBN) tooling, continues its growth and market expansion with the acquisition of several certifications that benefit women-owned businesses.

West Ohio Tool is now a certified Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) for the state of Ohio, which expands opportunities in obtaining contracts for goods and services, construction, engineering, IT, professional services, and other sectors. The program also provides access to favorable capital financing for growth opportunities such as the company’s planned purchase of a new Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) erosion machine.

Additional women-owned business recognitions are pending that will further increase West Ohio Tool’s entry to broader markets. Access to Department of Defense and federal contracting opportunities will be enhanced by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) and Women-owned Small Business (WOSB) certifications, which the company expects to finalize this summer.

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West Ohio Tool CEO Kaci King has previously established herself as one of Ohio’s leading businesswomen. In 2022, “Ohio Business” magazine included King in its “Ohio 500” list, which recognizes the most influential Buckeyes contributing to Ohio’s future growth. She has been featured with a cover of “WomLEAD” Magazine and recognized as one of the Top 25 Female Influencers of 2022, then as a Top 5 Female Influencer of 2023. King also served as a panelist for the publication’s 2023 “She’s Possible” event celebrating female entrepreneurship and achievement. Last fall, West Ohio Tool was a sponsor for Women in Manufacturing’s (WiM) National Summit in Atlanta.

Since its inception in 1989, West Ohio Tool has grown from a regional custom tool maker to a national tool manufacturer and service provider for a variety of industrial sectors. In 2022, the company had sales in 28 states, and based on first-quarter 2023 figures, it is on track to have the best year in its 33-year history, King says.