RoLen Models Inc.

The origin of RoLen Models began with a small company named Orvis Plastics located in downtown Elyria.  Mr. Bill Orvis and his business partner Don Bohac had owned and operated Orvis Plastics, sanding and buffing models for Topping Models. Orvis Plastics relocated to 157 Kenwood St., next door to Topping Assemblies, renting the property from Paul Schneider.  Paul had purchased the property in the mid 1950's. 

 

At the Topping sale in 1965, Bill Orvis purchased 2 injection molding machines and hired Dick Roberts.   Roberts had been hired by Paul Schneider in 1960 as a set up machine operator and became a shift manager by the time Topping had closed.  Now working with Orvis Plastics, Roberts provided the contacts and production knowledge while Orvis provided the capital and finishing skills.  Bohac provided the skill to make the paint masks, jigs and machining  fixtures.  Some of the former Topping contracts they were able to pick up included the North American X-15, RA-5 Vigilante, Lockheed F-104 and the Bell helicopter.  The majority of the contracts however transferred across the street to Precise Models Inc.   With the closing of Topping, there remained two competitors located across from one another on Kenwood St.

 

Around 1969, Orvis suffered a stroke and shortly thereafter sold his share of the business to Stan Leonowich. RoLen Inc. (aka RoLen Models) was incorporated on March 23, 1970 by Dick Roberts and Stanley Leonowich (RoLen).  Leonowich owned several other businesses in the area including a molding company.   They purchased the building at 157 Kenwood from Paul Schneider.  The building  is narrow but the length extends the full block.  The brick building to the right is the former Topping Assemblies, now National Molding Inc.   Precise Models Inc. was located across the street from RoLen and the former Topping Assemblies.  RoLen Inc. and Precise Models were competitors for the same model contracts.