The story takes us back to 1836 when Elias Frey departed the small town of Weidenthal, Germany in search of new opportunities for his family. He walked a trail many Germans were taking at the time. Over the Rhine river, across Germany and France, and then boarding a ship for New York City.

From New York, he walked onward to Cincinnati. The rising hills off the Ohio River reminded the family of home in Germany and believed great opportunity would be available for generations ahead.

In 1838, Elias opened a blacksmith shop to support local farmers only 5 miles from Sur-Seal today. That small blacksmith shop would be the beginning of five consecutive generations of family businesses in the area. From a blacksmith shop to hotels, grocery stores, construction companies, accounting firms, and the company, Sur-Seal.

Across those companies several constant endearing values were always present and became the building blocks of Sur-Seal today.

• A steadfast conviction for caring for the customer, associates, and each other
• Embracing great ideas and encouraging creativity
• Doing what is right and having the courage to change direction when following opportunity

In 2018, Sur-Seal became part of Capital Partners, now named Heartwood Partners. Heartwood Partners, located in Norwalk, Connecticut, is a middle market private equity firm that was founded in 1982. The firm was designed to create equity partnerships with continuing management. For more information about Heartwood Partners, visit the site at: www.heartwoodpartners.com.