Anthony Ratica Named President of Skilcraft, LLC
December 4, 2024
Anthony Ratica Named President of Skilcraft, LLC
EBRON, KENTUCKY – NOVEMBER 19, 2024 – Skilcraft, LLC, a provider of advanced precision metal fabrication solutions, has hired Anthony Ratica as President of Skilcraft, LLC, in Hebron, Kentucky, effective November 19.
With nearly 30 years of experience in the aerospace, manufacturing, MRO, and the services industries, Ratica has held operations, supply chain, client-facing, and executive leadership roles within public and private businesses.
“With his visionary leadership, strategic insights, and ability to execute, we are confident that Anthony will guide us toward new achievements and continued growth,” says Eric Roetcisoender, President of O’Neal Industries High Performance Metals Manufacturing Group.
Ratica, who holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master’s in Business Administration from The University of Tulsa, is a Certified Lean Practitioner, Certified Composite Technician, a recipient of multiple technical education certificates from GE Aviation, and was honored with a Wall Street Journal Achievement Award.
About Skilcraft
Skilcraft, an O’Neal Industries company, has been a trusted provider of advanced precision metal fabrication solutions since 1965. Serving leading global companies across key industries, Skilcraft leverages decades of expertise to solve complex manufacturing challenges. Headquartered in Hebron, Kentucky, Skilcraft delivers scalable solutions using advanced capabilities include laser cutting, welding, CNC machining, robotic fabrication, and more. Skilcraft also offers specialized engineering support, from design reviews to custom fixtures, as well as supply chain solutions tailored to customers’ volume and scheduling needs. For more information, visit www.skilcraft.com.
About O’Neal Industries
O’Neal Industries (ONI) is the nation's largest family-owned network of metals service centers and component and tube manufacturing businesses. Composed of ten leading brands and generating an estimated sales of $3.4 billion in 2024, ONI is based in Birmingham, Alabama, and has more than 80 specialized facilities throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. For more information, visit www.onealind.com.
It was an honor for Skilcraft to be named Manufacturer of the Year (small business category) at last night's Kentucky Association of Manufacturers (KAM) awards ceremony. We're proud to be recognized alongside fellow honorees Novelis and Roll Forming Corporation. Skilcraft General Manager, John Zurborg, accepted the award on behalf of Skilcraft's dedicated team. This achievement reflects our commitment to serving our customers and bringing their innovative ideas to life through world-class metal fabrication and manufacturing. From the KAM news release... The Kentucky Association of Manufacturers honored Hebron-based Skilcraft as its Small Manufacturer of the Year at the organization’s 2023 Awards Dinner on Nov. 2 in Bowling Green. Skilcraft has been an integral component of the Northern Kentucky business community since its founding in Burlington in 1965, and the company continues to innovate and utilize new techniques and materials. Skilcraft provides complex sheet metal fabrication solutions to a variety of industries, and Organizational Development Director Dean McKay said the company values working with customers that are looking for a partner. The company’s largest customers are world changing leaders in the aviation and private space industry. The criteria considerations for the Manufacturer of the Year Award include “advocacy in promoting the advancement of manufacturing and industry in Kentucky, corporate citizenship providing leadership in making a key contribution to the quality of life in the Commonwealth, and innovation and entrepreneurial leadership in regards to products, production methods, or services. Skilcraft prides itself on employees’ high standards, and floor operators at the company are trained to find their own mistakes during product manufacturing. “I’m so proud of the hard work and dedication our employees bring to the job every day,” said Skilcraft General Manager John Zurborg. “Skilcraft is proud to be one of many contributors to the region’s thriving advanced manufacturing ecosystem, which is a vital industry for Northern Kentucky’s economic prosperity.” Skilcraft and its employees are also involved with the community in many ways. McKay is the chair of the Northern Kentucky Workforce Investment Board and was recognized for his service with a community award from the Northern Kentucky Area Development District. To grow the region’s workforce, the company helps young people become familiar with the manufacturing industry. They work with students from the Boone County Area Technology Center (ATC), Ignite Institute, University of Cincinnati, and other local schools. Eight Skilcraft employees, five of whom have been with the company for 10 or more years, were previously ATC interns with the company. McKay said there are great careers in manufacturing that don’t require a four-year degree. His team loves working with young people and he said there are good pathways for growth at Skilcraft. The company continues to add to its team, announcing an expansion in 2022. They are investing $8.4 million into their Hebron facility, creating 14 new jobs at an average wage of $32/hour. “As communities throughout the country try to find solutions to workforce challenges, we love to see companies like Skilcraft take initiative to build up the workforce pipeline,” said Boone County Judge/Executive Gary Moore. “Boone County’s young adults will be well prepared to take on manufacturing jobs as the industry continues to grow in Northern Kentucky.”
Dean McKay, Director of Organizational Development with Skilcraft, was honored by the Northern Kentucky Area Development District as their Volunteer of the Year.
Skilcraft recently expanded its operations footprint by over 22,000 square feet, bringing the total facility to over 54,000 square feet. The additional space will allow for increased production capacity and new equipment that will support production of fabricated parts and metal components for the aerospace industry. “Skilcraft employees have built a reputation for 57 years of creating innovative solutions for our customers,” said Skilcraft President John Zurborg. “Today, we’re proud to work with world-changing innovators in the space, aviation and green energy industries. We are enthusiastic about our growth and the careers that will be created for our friends and neighbors in Northern Kentucky.” Skilcraft was founded in Burlington in 1965 and has been a producer of high-quality precision sheet metal components for over 57 years. In 2016, the company’s services expanded to include the fabrication of components used in the aviation industry, primarily parts used in jet engines. Today, Skilcraft is one of the leading sheet metal fabrication companies in the region, serving a broad range of industries including medical products, security and banking equipment, telecom and electronics, government and defense, Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) markets and aerospace manufacturing. The company was acquired by O’Neal Industries (ONI) in 2021, the nation’s largest family-owned network of metals service centers and component and tube manufacturing businesses. Composed of nine leading brands and generating sales of $2.8 billion in 2021, ONI is based in Birmingham, Alabama, and has more than 70 specialized facilities throughout North America, Europe and Asia.
