Eppel Gift is Building Innovation and Boosting Communities

It is appropriate that Ontario Tech University named the Eppel Family Technology-Enhanced Learning Studio in Shawenjigewining Hall to recognize Jeno Eppel and his family for their generosity to the university. After all, Jeno is Past President of EHC Global, one of the most trusted and respected brands and innovators in the vertical transportation industry.

Oshawa-based EHC Global, founded by Ronald Ball in 1977 and originally known as the Escalator Handrail Company, has become one of the world’s largest escalator component manufacturers. Jeno began his EHC career as one of seven employees working on the factory floor in the company’s handrail production facility, where he gained invaluable experience by taking on new roles and management responsibilities.

In 1996, Ronald and Jeno established one of the world’s largest escalator and elevator parts manufacturing operations in Shanghai, China. In 2000, Jeno was appointed Vice-President and became President in 2005. He held this role until his retirement in January 2021.

“There is a great deal of technology developed at Ontario Tech and that’s intriguing because of my background in manufacturing,” says Jeno. The generous gift, valued at $540,000, was celebrated with Jeno, his wife, Diane, and children, Jake and Jill, in attendance.

“We are excited and proud to support Ontario Tech University students—the entrepreneurs and innovators of tomorrow,” Jeno said.

“I would also like to thank my parents for instilling in me, early on, the value and importance of honesty, integrity, a strong work ethic and the importance of giving back to our community and helping to make the world a better place. In fact, it was my father, an immigrant from Hungary and entrepreneur in his own right, who first taught me the meaning of ‘work hard’—without his mentorship and love, I would have never accomplished what I have in life.”

Jeno is a proud resident of Durham Region. The family’s connection to Ontario Tech was reinforced when their daughter Jill graduated from the university with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 2021. Jeno and his entire family have a strong desire to promote the welfare of others and they chose Ontario Tech, located in their community, as the focus of their generous philanthropy.

“Progress and innovation are what business is all about,” Jeno says.

He is happy to support such an innovative and thriving post-secondary leader in the community.

“Education means a great deal to me,” Jeno says. “I hope to see Ontario Tech use our gift to continue the university’s growth and to help students.”

“If, as a result, successful new graduates come out of Ontario Tech as leaders and make the world a better place, it will make me feel good.”