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A Legacy of Precision
The Riehle Machine Company (RMC), commonly referred to by family members as “the Shop,” was founded in 1926 by Albert J. Riehle at 6115 Hooster Pike in Cincinnati, OH. Soon after that location’s address changed to 6207 Wooster Pike and remained as such for decades.
Having successfully sold his automobile dealership, Albert was enjoying “roaring twenties” prosperity when he founded his machine shop. He had at an early age established competence working with metal and machines and began the business perhaps as much to pursue his hobby as to build a generation-spanning business. It quickly transformed into a more serious endeavor however with the stock market crash of 1929, followed by the onset of the Great Depression as it reshaped the American economy.
RMC’s office secretary for several decades
Like most small businesses, the RMC weathered difficult years in the 1930s, gradually finding its footing amid the widespread economic uncertainty.
visiting granddaughters Cathy and Nancy Riehle looking on
Greater opportunity came with the onset of World War II, which brought a surge in demand for precision machining and the associated technical expertise. Joseph E. Riehle, Albert’s son, joined the company after graduating from high school in 1936. His hands-on experience at RMC led to a wartime role at MIT’s Radiation Laboratory (the “Rad Lab”), a hub of innovation for radar technology. Following this and a period of service in the Army Air Force, Joe returned to the family business after his discharge from the army in 1946.
After Albert’s passing in 1952, Joe assumed leadership of RMC with the help of his brother Bert, other family members, and some truly dedicated employees. Under Joe’s stewardship, the Shop continued to operate as a trusted name in the Cincinnati area for three more decades.
Working at the RMC for his father
In 1979, the Riehle Machine Company was sold. Joe remained briefly to support the transition before retiring, but soon after the business closed and the building was demolished. Yet the spirit of craftsmanship and innovation did not end with the sale. Joe’s son, William J. “Bill” Riehle, who had worked at the Shop earlier in his career, founded Blue Chip Tool in 1983, a business inspired by the same principles that guided RMC. Today, Blue Chip Tool remains active under the guidance of Bill’s son Bill (William F. Riehle), marking four generations of custom engineering excellence and family tradition.
From humble beginnings in a small machine shop to a lasting legacy carried forward by new generations, the story of the Riehle Machine Company is one of resilience, innovation, and enduring craftsmanship.
Our thanks to James Riehle for photos!
Jim’s Riehle ancestry is Joe / Albert / Francis / Clemens / More
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My brother told me this story years after I married Greg (shown in last picture). I lived in Mariemont. My brother Dave was 4 years older than I was. He and Pop bought a ping pong ball table cheap because the bracket was broken. My dad said ‘you could get that welded at a machine shop’ meaning he’d take Dave there and pay for a weld. My brother wasn’t lacking in initiative. He set out to find a machine shop on his beat-up red bike. He was probably 10. Guess what machine shop was closest? He said he went in the front door and a nice… Read more »