To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

FRANKFORT, N.Y. -- Fifty years ago, Frankfort resident Joseph Grippe had a choice: Go into business selling musical instruments or manufacturing cutting tools. Grippe took the cutting tool route and Friday, family, friends and local officials gathered to celebrate half a century of J. Grippe Industrial Supply Co. Inc.

Still located on Acme Road next door to the family home, the business counts auto, gun and aircraft manufacturers among its customer base.

Current president Jody Grippe credits the values taught to him and his nine siblings with the company's success.

"That personal attention we give to our customers and engineering department," Grippe said. "We take pride in what we do. A lot of other places have to do according to the numbers. We do what is right for the customer, and we stay focused on that."

The Grippe name will soon leave another mark on the Frankfort community. A family ceremony is being held Saturday to dedicate a memorial garden to Joseph Grippe and his wife, Mary Alice.