STRONGSVILLE- Newly confirmed U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew, got a first-hand tour of Vitamix's expansive manufacturing facility in Strongsville during a trip to Cleveland May 7.

"It's wonderful to see the national spotlight being placed on Cleveland and the many positive things happening in our regional economy," said Vitamix President and CEO Jodi Berg, who guided Lew through the 175,000 manufacturing facility along with Operations Manager Brad Johnson.

"We're honored that the Secretary chose to showcase Vitamix as an example of an innovative and thriving company," Berg said.

Lew's trip was designed to draw attention to the importance of investing in American manufacturing, and Vitamix is a success story.

The 92-year-old, fourth-generation family-owned company designs high-performance blenders with all American-made parts, and has experienced rapid growth in recent years.

Net sales in 2012 were up 52 percent from the previous year, and have more than tripled since in the past four years. Last month, the company pumped out more than 110,000 blenders from its Strongsville facility, which employs nearly 400 people.

Lew also visited Cleveland Prep Academy and the City Club of Cleveland.

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