LECO

Lincoln Electric Holdings Inc

A maker of arc welding equipment, welding consumables, and automated joining and cutting systems, based in Euclid, Ohio. Its gear is used by builders, manufacturers, and hobbyists, and it even offers virtual-reality welding trainers. It began in 1895 when inventor John C. Lincoln started the firm in Cleveland to sell electric motors he designed—named after himself—and later handed the reins to his brother James, who steered it into welding. Fun fact: John famously launched the company with "more nerve than knowledge," on just a couple hundred dollars.