The Marthens Company (Marco) was founded in 1944 by Ray Marthens and started by selling industrial sands to the foundry industry. The business continued to promote additional product lines such as: bentonite clay, iron oxide, steel shot, refractories and other foundry related products. It took Ray approximately three years to develop sufficient enough income to support himself and his family from this venture. Ray’s tireless dedication was illustrated by selling foundry supplies by day, working at a foundry by night and invoicing customers on the weekend.