Sewah Studios announces expansion in Marietta
MARIETTA — Sewah Studios Inc., a leading manufacturer of cast aluminum roadside historic markers in the United States, has announced a nearly $500,000 expansion of its facility in Marietta.
Five new jobs will be created, the company said.
Sewah was founded in 1927 by E.M. Hawes in an old organ factory.
Nearly 96 years later, Sewah Studios is owned by Bradford Smith, the third generation of the Smith family to run the business.
The company specializes in making cast aluminum historical markers primarily for state and local historical associations and has standing contracts with 44 states, including Ohio. Today, with over 22 employees, Sewah produces more than 1,200 markers each year.
Sewah Studios is currently operating at full capacity at its Marietta facility.
“After the surge of post COVID ordering coupled with increased interest in historical markers nationwide we must expand the operation to keep up with historical marker demand,” Smith said. “The expansion includes a 3,000-square-foot building addition, which would allow for an additional production line in the foundry area and added storage and shipping space. This would allow the team to increase its production to meet any level of demand now and in the future.”
Hawes, the reverse spelling of which is Sewah, wanted to develop a roadside marker program for automobile tourists. Ninety years ago, using cast aluminum was unheard of to make historical plaques. Bronze, wood, and ferrous metals were primarily used, but none were practical for the long term and therefore, few historical markers were being produced.
After 18 months of testing, Hawes revealed sample aluminum castings that he felt could be the solution.
After commissioning pattern letters to fit his signs, he invented the Sewah script and in 1929, won the contract to create plaques to mark the Old Revolutionary Trail for the state of Ohio. These markers were the first of the thousands of roadside historical markers that are now seen throughout the United States.
“We celebrate Sewah Studios’ 96-year history and nationwide recognition, and are gratified to see the company enter a new chapter of expansion based upon the company’s craftsmanship and the productivity of its Marietta workforce,” Katy Farberm, OhioSE vice president, said.
JobsOhio supported the project with a $25,000 JobsOhio Inclusion Grant and Ohio Southeast Economic Development assisted the company with the grant process. The JobsOhio Inclusion Grant exists to provide financial support for eligible projects in designated distressed communities and/or for businesses owned by underrepresented populations across the state.
“Washington County is home to several globally unique and competitive companies, and Sewah Studios is a perfect example of this fact,” said Jesse Roush, executive director of the Southeast Ohio Port Authority. “I commend Brad Smith and his team for making this investment in their business, and we applaud JobsOhio and OhioSE for supporting Sewah’s growth.”