UNIVERSAL GRINDING CORPORATION (U.G.C.), a precision grinding facility, was founded in 1944 in downtown Cleveland across from what is now Progressive Field. With the need for grinding on the rise following the end of World War II and the boom in the automotive industry, business flourished. In the early 1950’s, the Flats became the second home for the company. An increase in business brought about U.G.C. ‘s move in 1979 to its current, 80,000-square-foot building on Cleveland’s near west side. Like other manufacturers in the area, the company experienced tough times in the otherwise high flying 1980’s. Return on investment was low and competition was high. In 1986, the former owners of U.G.C. announced that the company would shut its doors for good. This announcement changed the lives of many, including Donald R. Toth, who had gone to work at the U.G.C. plant where his father had once been a grinder. Don Toth began working at the company as a shipping clerk in 1958. While his cowork