Today the class had the opportunity to visit Rockbridge Manufacturing and hear firsthand from Daryl Schnelten about the evolution of a family business.

Originally founded in 1975 by Daryl’s grandfather-in-law, Ralph Petersen, as Rockbridge Castings, the company has deep roots in hard work and craftsmanship. In 2016, Daryl and his wife, Andrea, purchased the business and rebranded it as Rockbridge Manufacturing to better reflect their expanded services, including sandblasting, powder coating, fabrication, and welding. While the name changed, their commitment to quality never did.

Andrea and Daryl take great pride in what they’ve built. They provide a unique and much-needed service to the area, use environmentally friendly products, and employ local workers all while maintaining a strong reputation for excellence.

They also shared valuable advice with our students: diversify and don’t put all your eggs in one basket. The challenges of the COVID pandemic reinforced the importance of listening to customers, adapting when necessary, and being willing to branch out.

Thank you to Daryl for welcoming us, sharing his story, and investing his time in our students.