This year, we celebrate Sonnhalter turning 48! In 1976, John Sonnhalter founded Sonnhalter with a focus on industrial manufacturing accounts. Over time, our focus evolved, and we coined the term B2T, encompassing markets such as plumbers, electricians, machinists and others working in the trades.
At Sonnhalter, our focus as a manufacturing marketing agency is to serve companies that target professional tradesmen in the construction, industrial and MRO markets. To this day we stand by our motto, “Not Afraid to Get Our Hands Dirty.”
From Berea to Downtown Cleveland
One of the biggest changes since our founding was our move from Berea to Downtown Cleveland in February 2015. This relocation to a larger, more central location downtown brought us closer to a vibrant and thriving hub of activity.
A New Presidency
In its 48 years of service, Sonnhalter has undergone significant changes, including the retirement of founder John Sonnhalter and the appointment of his son, Matt Sonnhalter, as president. This father-son duo has made a notable impact in the B2T world. Upon John’s retirement, Matt stepped into his father’s role and continued the legacy of leadership. Matt has successfully guided the company, leveraging his extensive industry experience to drive Sonnhalter’s success.
Award Winning Work
At Sonnhalter, we take pride in our work and the clients we are fortunate to partner with. Our expertise has earned us numerous accolades, including awards for our work with Franklin Electric, General Pipe Cleaners, Kapro Tools and Weldcote. We’ve received ten gold and silver awards from the Davey Awards, and six gold and bronze awards from the PRSA Cleveland Rocks Awards competition. We were also recognized as one of BtoB magazine’s top business-to-business agencies in the U.S. for five consecutive years. These honors reflect our dedication, and we look forward to achieving even more in the future.
101 Days of Summer Photo Contest
Since 2004, Sonnhalter has held its annual summer photo contest, where every employee has the opportunity to submit photos that creatively reflect their summertime activities. Through this competition, each employee has the chance to win a cash prize and more importantly, bragging rights for the year.
Sonnhalter’s Annual Tool Drive
For 15 years, Sonnhalter has figured out a way to give back to the community, tradesman style. In 2010, we started our Annual Tool Drive and it has been a huge success. Overall, we’ve raised more than $517,000 to benefit Greater Cleveland’s Habitat for Humanity, in the hopes of eliminating substandard housing in our community. For the Tool Drive, we ask members of the community to donate old or unused tools and building materials that they might find in warehouses, garages and sheds.
We are extremely proud of our journey and where we stand today as a company. From the days of keylining and desktop publishing to sending snail mail press releases and embracing social media and influencers, our industry has evolved significantly. With the dedication of our Sonnhalter team and the support of our clients, we’ve navigated these changes and continue to thrive. Looking ahead, we’re excited about the future and ready to embrace new opportunities and challenges.