About Us
Three generations of knowledge and expertise
With 60+ years in the business, CIA Industrial has built a strong reputation as a trusted, reliable partner to industrial businesses across the nation. Over the years, the Luggen name has served as a symbol of honesty, expertise and ingenuity, and for a business built on the philosophy that if you simply get up and work hard, something good will happen.
Our personal investment in this business and industry is reflected in our growth, success, and every relationship we’ve built since 1961. Through ingenuity, hard work and determination, good principals and business sense, we’ve grown from a one-man operation to a family-owned small business to a national corporation. Our history, our people, and our passions are central to our story, our business philosophy, and the legacy we’re building together.
OUR HISTORY
1961
Our Story Begins
James A. Luggen “Big Jim” (1914 – 2001) founded Cincinnati Industrial Auctioneers with his wife Stella. Big Jim served his country proudly during World War II and returned to civilian life in 1946. He began his business career buying and selling excess war goods with his company, Wright Surplus Sales. As his expertise in the field of industrial machinery and equipment grew, he accepted a position as an auctioneer for Joseph P. Day Company of New York City in 1956. In 1960, he and Stella made the decision to go into business for themselves.
1972
Welcoming the Next Generation
Jerome A. Luggen and Jeffrey L. Luggen joined Cincinnati Industrial Auctioneers, both after graduating from the University of Cincinnati. Having been around the business their whole lives they hit the ground running actively conducting auctions, buying and selling all types of equipment.
1993
Growing with Momentum
The company flourished under Jerome and Jeff’s management, going from 5 employees in a home office servicing mostly local clients, to a full-time staff of 30 servicing clients nationwide.
2013
Building on Our Legacy
Jerome and Jeff are actively managing the company; Jeffrey M. has grown to a management position and is involved all aspects of the business, and Joseph M. has become our secondary auctioneer and an… accredited AMEA appraiser. Jerome’s son Ryan Luggen officially joined the company in 2013 after graduating from Ohio University. With the two fathers’ 30+ years of experience and their three sons’ youth and ambition, they look to provide top nationwide auction and appraisal services for another 50+ years.
2024
Changing of the Guard
The third generation officially takes over the business as Jerome and Jeff hand over the reins to their sons and head into retirement. Jeffrey M., Joseph and Ryan now lead the charge as managing partners who are dedicated to the company’s continued growth and success, and proud to carry on the values, vision and reputation they helped their family build. They’ve already made a few changes to better reflect how the business had evolved over the years and how they’re going to take it into the future, including a new name and tagline, modernized visual identity, and redesigned website.
Our Team
There’s an energy and enthusiasm every team member brings to the table that stems from something beyond the thrill of the sale, it’s about our hard work and personal drive to power through anything to finish the job, and finish it well. After 60+ years, our well-oiled machine is still powered by some of the brightest in the business.
– R. Alan Farrar,
COLONY BRANDS
– Erwin Hartmann,
NIPPON SHARYO MANUFACTURING
– Joel “YOLI” Silverstein,
SILVER’S METAL CO.
Industry Affiliations
CIA Industrial brings the utmost integrity and ethics to the auction and appraisal industry. We are licensed and bonded throughout the country, and are continuously expanding our affiliations and memberships in an effort to grow professionally and meet the needs of our clients.
