Who We Are
Unique Manufacturing Co. was established in 1987 by Irwin “Smitty” Smith in Visalia, California. A 40-year veteran and entrepreneur in the food service industry and a very successful marketing guru, he began to create new marketing ideas to enhance his food service operations. Finishing his restaurant career in 1987, he created Unique Manufacturing and went to work helping other hospitality companies share in his “unique” marketing of tabletop disposable products. Thirteen years later, Smitty had developed an unusual, different, and colorful array of tabletop disposable products. In May of 2000, and after a strong 2-year business and personal relationship, Smitty sold Unique Manufacturing Co. to Mike Jakubowski.
Mike came to the Unique table with 6 years of experience as a National Sales Manager with SONOCO Products. With a keen background in the custom print sales arena and prior to that, 17 years in the restaurant industry, Unique Manufacturing was poised to grow and have a positive impact on the hospitality industry. With Mike’s background in both restaurant operations and sales and service as a manufacturer and supplier, he was uniquely qualified to understand how both seller (Unique) and buyer (the hospitality location) think. In June of 2019, Mike decided to retire and enjoy the good life for the remainder of their time here on earth and sold Unique Manufacturing to Richard Morrison and his twin brother Steven.
Rick and Steve have since relocated the business to Plain City, OH. Already in the tabletop disposable industry, Rick has 30 years of experience manufacturing paper napkin bands. He opened Cohesion Paper Products in 2004 with the help of Steve, Rick Sr. and other family members. Cohesion has grown substantially over the past 16 years, while bringing on additional family members, including Chandra Morrison (Rick’s Wife) and numerous other employees over the last 16 years. When Unique Manufacturing Company was added to the repertoire, Steve was also able to bring in his wife Davina, thereby truly creating a family atmosphere to manage both operations. Steven has 20 years in accounting and finance and is an Ohio Certified Public Accountant. We all strive to keep the emphasis on great customer service, quality products, and speedy shipping, all at great prices that typically can’t be beat. We pride ourselves in both companies by putting the customer first – When you call us, we answer!
Today, Unique Manufacturing offers numerous unique, colorful, exciting, fun, and unusual tabletop disposable product lines that will set any hospitality location apart from the competition.