Harold Winebaugh, Serial Entrepreneur
In 2007, Harold inquired about what the EIGERlab had to offer businesses like his, Universal Manufacturing. Being a serial entrepreneur, Harold realizes the value of staying connected and networking. In 2007 and 2009 he participated in the Stateline FastPitch Competition and went on to win $10,000 in the 2009 Innovate Illinois Competition; 137 companies competed statewide.
Reinventing himself is something Harold does best. After graduating with a business degree, he tried his hand in the construction field and decided that was not for him. He then stumbled upon the feeder business and found this was a good fit. Soon he was offered a position managing the office, but decided to accept it, only if he “could buy in.” Eventually the opportunity to become a partner was presented and, even though he wasn’t totally knowledgeable regarding the feeder business, he felt confident that he could, “figure it out.”
The Univ-lok Drum Lock, Harold’s current product of interest, solves an important issue for companies worldwide; securing storage drums with a cost-effective answer and it’s a perfect fit for Homeland Security-related issues. His system, using an anti-tampering seal or padlock, will secure chemicals and liquids. Harold conveyed that his newest invention is starting to take hold. With distributor connections worldwide, he was excited to state that his 2011 sales have already exceeded 2010’s total sales.
This isn’t Harold’s “first rodeo!” His list of clients includes Pepperidge Farms, Hormel Foods and Los Alamos National Lab, to name just a few. Recently, one of his newest clients, Argonne National Labs, phoned to inquire if he could solve a safety issue they were experiencing due to a Department of Energy mandate. He took the initiative to visit, learn of their unique problem and solved the dilemma during his drive home.
With Harold’s unique talent of constantly visualizing how to build a “better mousetrap,” he often solves a personal or business-related issue that will assist others. After realizing that many inventions he’s thought of, but never developed, have been invented by others, he is even more passionate about moving forward with his additional ideas/inventions.