WSET.com - ABC13Made in Virginia: A Timeless Product

Reporter: Shelley Basinger | Videographer: Daniel Heffner

Amherst, VA – For an Amherst business, time is its business. Hermle Clocks started in Germany in 1922.  Then in the 70s, officials visited Amherst and liked it so much, they decided to open up a U.S. location. Now Hermle North America is a stand-alone company with an international customer base.

Not only is there not much quiet time at Hermle North America, there's absolutely no room for error.

"When people think about clocks, they think about precision," said president and general manager Chad Eby.

In the assembly room, Eby explained how the pieces - like the clock's movement and casing - are not "Made in Virginia." But every single Hermle clock is put together here.

"It's a skill that takes many, many years to learn," he said.

Employee Ginger Vest remembers what it was like 17 years ago when she first started.

"You have to learn as you go along, but each day it got easier and easier," said Vest.

About 30 to 50 clocks leave her station every shift. Each one, she says, is different.

"I don't think a robot could do this. It just takes personal touch and everything," she said.

The next step in the process takes even more patience. Every finished clock, from mantle to wall to grandfather models, is tested.

"To make sure that the clock is keeping time and is running. Then if something is not right then we have the opportunity before it goes into the box to fix it here," said Eby.

A reliable product has strengthened Hermle's reputation, both here and abroad.  This year, Hermle North America was chosen to be a part of the state's VALET program, or "Virginia Leaders in Export Trade." They've already had success in China and Russia.

"This year we're going after Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and also Japan," said Eby.

While it's neat to know their clocks will end up in homes across the globe, Eby says it's even more rewarding to know that in some families a Hermle clock will stand the test of time.

"There are typically only a few items in a family's home that when the time comes to pass things on that the siblings fight over and the grandfather clock is definitely at the top of the list," said Eby.

When the economy started to slip, people were more interested in repairing their clocks. So in 2007, Hermle got into a new business of selling movements to repair companies. They say it's one creative way they were able to stay afloat.