In 2025, SEGEPO-FSM celebrates a remarkable milestone-120 years of continuous operation in the precision manufacturing industry. What began as a bold venture between two brothers in Cincinnati, OH, has grown into a world-class machining operation serving customers across North America and beyond.
A Legacy Born in Innovation (1905-1930s)
The story began in 1905, when C. Harry Fischer, an engineer with a passion for mechanical innovation, sought a $5,000 loan from his father. The condition? That Harry go into business with his brother, Frederick H. Fischer, a banker. This marked the birth of the company-an enterprise built on technical excellence and sound business practices, a model that would guide the company through generations.
Initially producing spark coils for the marine industry, the business soon pivoted to making oil and acetylene lamps for the burgeoning automotive market. The original shop was located on Reading Road in Cincinnati, and by 1910, the company had acquired its first Davenport machine, signaling the start of its long-standing dedication to precision bar turning.
The company grew rapidly. In 1915, the plant was expanded, and by 1925, a new, larger facility was opened on Morgan Street, with a focus on supplying the booming loose-leaf binder industry. When the Great Depression hit, the company demonstrated remarkable resilience by launching a standard catalog of fasteners, catering to the needs of emerging industries such as radio.
A Family Legacy and Industrial Growth (1930s-1970s)
In 1938, following the passing of founder C. Harry Fischer, his 26-year-old son Harry F. Fischer stepped into leadership. He was joined by cousin Carl H. Fischer, and together they led the company through World War II and into a golden age of production. For decades, the company became known for its high-volume brass nut manufacturing, producing up to 3 million parts per day.
The next major transition came in the 1970s, when the third generation-Fred and Steve Fischer-took over. Facing mounting global competition for simple, high-volume components, the brothers made a bold strategic shift: focus on fewer, more complex, high-precision parts. This change laid the foundation for the company's next evolution.
A New Era of Technology and Transition (1980-2018)
In 1980, the company moved operations from Cincinnati to a custom-built facility in Cold Spring, KY, allowing for streamlined production and room for future growth. Over the next few decades, the company embraced new technology: CNC machining (1990s), electronic inspection systems and automatic bar feeders for multispindle machines, increasing throughput and precision.
By the 2000s, the company had transformed into a highly capable and flexible supplier for diverse industries, including automotive, trucks, HVAC, defense and energy.
In 2018, the Fischer family made the decision to sell the company to the SEGEPO Group, a provider of precision components, in a private sale. The goal: to ensure long-term growth while maintaining the company's culture and workforce. Since then, the Cold Spring facility has benefited from investments in servo systems, electrical upgrades and automation enhancements-including a close OEM partnership in Europe to further improve bar feeder integration.
A Future Built on Experience and Innovation
Today, SEGEPO-FSM utilizes state-of-the-art machining lathes, automated production lines and advanced laboratory and inspection capabilities. The plant continues to serve as a model of operational excellence, rooted in over a century of experience and fueled by a vision for sustainable growth.
"With the backing of the SEGEPO Group, SEGEPO-FSM is more agile and more prepared than ever to meet the evolving demands of modern manufacturing," said a company spokesperson. "Whether it is delivering high-complexity turned parts or advancing employee skills, the company remains committed to innovation, partnership and quality.
For more information contact:
SEGEPO-FSM
1188 Industrial Road
Cold Spring, KY 41076
859-781-1400
www.segepofsm.com