Built Together. Ready for What’s Next.

Some businesses are built on a great idea. Others are built on years of experience, hard work, and a willingness to keep showing up and getting the job done.

For John and Jacqueline Eckhardt, it’s been a little of both.

John started welding in high school and has spent more than 30 years building his craft. In 2018, he and his wife, Jacqueline, brought that experience together with their shared vision to launch Universal Design and Fabrication LLC in Sandusky, Ohio.

Today, their company takes on a wide range of commercial and industrial fabrication projects, creating everything from steel building frames and mezzanines to walkways, handrails, tanks, fryers, and silos. John brings his hands-on fabrication experience to the work, while Jacqueline brings her background in operations, management, and bookkeeping to keep the business moving forward.

They each bring different strengths to the table, but their goal has always been the same: build a business they can be proud of, right here in the community they call home.

And that’s exactly what they’ve done.

When Growth Calls for More Room

Universal Design didn’t stay small for long.

In 2019, John and Jacqueline purchased property and built a new commercial facility for their growing operation. By 2022, they had expanded again. But even with that additional space, the work kept coming.

Their reputation was growing, demand was strong, and there were more opportunities on the table. The challenge? Finding room to take them on.

Working out of a 9,000-square-foot facility, Universal Design reached a point where they had to turn away work simply because they didn’t have the space to accommodate it.

It’s a challenge many business owners would love to have, but that doesn’t make it any less frustrating. When you’ve put years into building a business and customers are ready to work with you, you want to be able to say yes.

For John and Jacqueline, it was time to make room for what came next.

Making Room for the Next Chapter

Growing a business takes more than hard work. Sometimes, it takes the right space, the right equipment, and the right financing to bring the next step within reach.

That’s where OSDC and Civista Bank came in.

Together, OSDC and Civista Bank helped Universal Design secure SBA 504 financing for a 21,000-square-foot addition to their existing facility, along with two new pieces of equipment.

The SBA 504 program helps eligible small businesses finance major fixed assets, including commercial real estate and equipment, with long-term, fixed-rate financing options.

For Universal Design, that meant an opportunity to more than triple its footprint, growing from 9,000 square feet to 30,000 square feet. Just as importantly, the additional space and equipment give the team more capacity to take on the work coming their way.

It’s more than a building addition. It’s an investment in the business John and Jacqueline have worked together to build, and in the opportunities still ahead.

More Room. More Opportunity.

John and Jacqueline have spent years building Universal Design and Fabrication through experience, teamwork, and a commitment to their craft. Now, they have the space to build on that foundation.

With room to take on more projects and equipment to support their work, they can focus on what they do best: serving their customers and growing their business.

We’re proud that OSDC, alongside Civista Bank, could be part of this next chapter for a local business that continues to invest in its future.

Because sometimes, helping a business grow means more than helping it secure financing. It means helping a hardworking team say yes to the opportunities they’ve worked so hard to earn.

Is your Ohio business ready for its next chapter? OSDC can help you explore financing options to support your growth, whether that means expanding your facility, investing in equipment, or making room for what’s next.