BREAKING NEWS
Ritchie Engineering Announces the Passing of its President
LEGACY OF SUCCESS: Ritchie Engineering president Thomas Ritchie, shown with his wife, Kristen, died earlier this month. He had a 56-year career with the company and wished for it to continue as a family-run business. (Courtesy of Ritchie Engineering Co. Inc.)
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — Thomas Ritchie, the president of Ritchie Engineering Co. Inc., died March 2, the company announced.
Ritchie began his career with Ritchie Engineering, a manufacturer of tools and equipment for the HVACR and automobile industries and the company behind the Yellow Jacket brand, on March 1, 1969.
He worked diligently to understand the key ingredients for the continued growth of the business his family had started in 1949, a statement from the company said. Over the last 56 years, Ritchie leveraged that knowledge to expand and innovate product lines while also developing an organization built for consistent success, the statement said.
Ritchie played a pivotal role in the HVACR industry, becoming a well-respected leader in the tools and testing segment, the company said. He represented the second generation of his family to lead the company and led Ritchie Engineering through a fantastic growth period.
His impact in the market, on the company, and on the lives of its employees will be felt for years, the company said.
Ritchie wished for Ritchie Engineering to continue operating as a family business. Survivors include Ritchie’s wife, Kristen Ritchie, who will succeed her husband as company president.
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