The Industry
Architectural and structural metals manufacturing; metalworking machinery manufacturing
The Company
Ameritech Machine Manufacturing is a fabrication and equipment manufacturing, semi-custom job shop specializing in steel processing equipment and steel fabrication. In other words, Ameritech is an intermediate manufacturer, fabricating equipment and components other manufacturers use to then create their products. A privately owned company, Ameritech has customers in Mexico, Canada, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, and California.
The Situation
Ameritech was based in an industrial sector of the Old Mill District in Bend, Oregon when they contacted EDCO in 2006. Ameritech had experienced 40 to 50 percent revenue growth for three years and was having to turn down bids due to facility constraints. At the time, the company was suffering from a cramped location that was leased and didn’t allow adequate construction and work space for the very large machinery and structural components they create.
The Requirements
Ameritech initially preferred to stay in Bend but because of other limited industrial land and higher costs than elsewhere, became open to looking at other areas inside and outside Central Oregon. The two owners, Ron Cook and Gordon Woolsey, wanted to own a substantially larger building than the one they currently leased, and wanted room for future facility expansion. They also wanted to create a production environment that would be more flexible, allowing for multiple large projects to be worked on efficiently, and accommodate an overhead crane. Further, Cook and Woolsey were looking for a community that would embrace their operation and one in which they could give back.
The Solution
EDCO, through its Bend and Redmond (REDI) offices, helped the company find an unadvertised industrial property that would meet its size, location and tight project budget. Once the site was secured, the REDI manager assisted with the Enterprise Zone application process, and many pieces and parts of the permitting and development process. Included among those was a Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) issue with drywell inspections. This component of the development process had threatened to delay the project, and with EDCO's assistance, it was resolved quickly so construction could keep on schedule. The REDI manager also helped introduce Cook and Woolsey to key leaders and other manufacturers in the Redmond business community.
The Outcome
In December 2008, Ameritech Machine Manufacturing began operations in its newly constructed $2+ million 29,616 sf facility in Redmond Oregon. Ameritech more than doubled its space with the move and doubled its employment base too, going from 14 full time employees in 2006 to over 30 at move-in. The company plans to grow to 45 or 50 employees in the future and now has the capability to broaden its business base into additional Western states.