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For 67 Years, Lloyd Gage and Tool has empowered CNC Machine Shops with High-Performance Tooling, Technical Support at the Spindle, Inventory Control and Passionate Customer Service.
In 1914, John Joseph “JJ” Barth founded The Barth Corporation. What started as a small tool and die shop quickly expanded alongside the booming automotive industry in Northeast Ohio. The company became a key supplier of stamped components to major automobile manufacturers while branching into other industries. Like many manufacturers of the era, Barth played a vital role in supporting the military through both World Wars, contributing to defense production efforts.
By 1952, as the company outgrew its original facility, JJ Barth transitioned day-to-day operations to his four sons—Glenn, Tom, John, and Bob. Together, they expanded the business, investing in a new, state-of-the-art 100,000 square-foot manufacturing plant. With 400 skilled workers, this facility was designed to support large-scale stamping operations, running around the clock to meet the demands of the automotive and steel industries.
Don Barth grew up in the family business, working alongside his grandfather, father, and uncles at Barth Industries. But he had his own vision. In 1959, while still in college, Don Barth founded Thunderbolt Tool Supply out of his parents’ garage. Balancing his education and his entrepreneurial drive, Don dedicated his weekdays—Monday through Thursday—to classes. But come Friday and Saturday, he hit the road, making sales calls and building relationships with customers. Sundays were reserved for balancing the books.
Through it all, Don’s wife, Patti, was by his side. From the very beginning, she played a crucial role in the company and remains its treasurer to this day. With a degree in accounting from Bowling Green State University, Don personally handled the company’s finances, spending weekends at the table meticulously making ledger entries—so committed to accuracy that he’d spend hours searching for a single missing penny, ‘If I can’t find a penny, I’ll keep looking for the nickels.'
In 1968, Don seized an opportunity to grow, acquiring Lloyd Gage & Tool from Mike Lloyd in Cleveland. Drawn to its stellar reputation and established presence, he chose not to rebrand it under his own name. Instead, he preserved the Lloyd Gage & Tool legacy, honoring the trust it had earned in the local market—a testament to his respect for what came before him.
Beyond his sharp business instincts, Don was defined by his values—especially his deep commitment to relationships. When the late 1980s recession hit, instead of cutting staff, he sat down with his employees and asked if they’d be willing to take temporary pay cuts rather than see anyone lose their job. Without hesitation, they all agreed—because they loved and respected him. True to his character, once the company recovered, Don made sure everyone was made whole, repaying the wages they had sacrificed.
His loyalty extended beyond his employees. He saw his relationships with distributors as a partnership—practically a marriage—always striving to represent them to the best of his ability.
He kept building until his passing in August 2006, his integrity, faithfulness, and commitment to those he worked with became the foundation of his business, making Lloyd Gage & Tool not just a company, but a legacy of trust and dedication.
Fresh out of Ohio University, Pat Barth joined Lloyd Gage & Tool in 1990, bringing new energy and a deep respect for the family legacy. He quickly immersed himself in operations, mastering customer relationships and technical challenges—laying the foundation for the company’s future growth.
When Don’s son Patrick joined the company, Don taught him the intricacies of the ledger system. He’d challenge Patti, saying, ‘Patti, look at these numbers—who do you think wrote these?’ She’d confidently answer, ‘You did.’ But Don would laugh and reveal, ‘No, those were PB’s.’ Their handwriting was so similar that Patti joked, ‘It’s sort of scary that we were that close.’
In 2005, Pat Barth was named President of Lloyd Gage & Tool, marking the beginning of the second generation of Barth leadership. With over a decade of experience in the company, Pat had developed a deep understanding of the business, the industry, and—most importantly—the customers.
Under his leadership, Lloyd Gage & Tool continued to grow, adapting to the evolving needs of manufacturers and staying true to the company’s core values: expertise, reliability, and exceptional service. Pat’s vision ensured that the business remained not just a supplier, but a trusted partner for companies facing complex machining and tooling challenges.
In 2015, Lloyd Gage & Tool outgrew its old space and moved into a new 5,000 sq. ft. headquarters on Transportation Blvd. This building does double duty: one half is a workspace for the team, while the other half is a warehouse to store inventory and handle distribution. The setup boosts efficiency, keeps customers well-served, and fuels the company’s growth.
In 2017, Lloyd Gage & Tool opened a second office in Findlay, OH, taking a big step to grow beyond its family roots. This move showed Lloyd Gage & Tool could scale up, reach new customers, and still keep its hands-on, customer-first style strong.
In 2025, Nick Barth was named CEO, marking the third generation of Barth leadership at Lloyd Gage & Tool. With a deep respect for the company’s history and core values, Nick is committed to driving growth and innovation while preserving the customer-first mentality that has defined the business.
Working alongside his father, Patrick Barth, Nick will continue to build on the company’s legacy, ensuring its long-term success. Together, they’ll shape the future while maintaining the high standards of service and quality that have made Lloyd Gage & Tool a trusted name for decades—and lay the groundwork for the company’s fourth generation to carry the torch forward.
In September of 2025, Lloyd Gage & Tool proudly opened its third location in Fort Wayne, Indiana. This milestone, made possible by the trust of our manufacturing partners, marked a significant step in expanding our footprint and supporting the growing Indiana manufacturing community.
The opening of our Lewis Center location expands our reach across central and southern Ohio. We saw manufacturers in the area underserved, and we knew we could do better. We moved in with a local team and a sharp focus on what keeps shops productive: cutting tools, work-holding, and inventory management.
We don’t just sell tools—we provide unmatched service that keeps your shop running smoothly.
Our in-house team is responsive, knowledgeable, and solution-driven, ensuring you get answers fast.
Our sales team brings decades of hands-on experience, helping you select the right tooling, coolant, and abrasives for maximum efficiency.
We know time is money. Our quoting process is fast and accurate, getting you the right tools at the right price—quickly.
We prioritize long-term relationships over short-term sales, offering honest recommendations without supplier-imposed quotas.
