Kendallville Company Doubling Work Force
Reliable Production Machining and Welding is adding more than 40 workers at its Kendallville facility. Company President Chuck Drerup says a steady increase in orders is leading to the hiring. Reliable PMW makes axles, hubs and brake assemblies for RVs and industrial vehicles.A steady increase in production since Spring 2010 has required Reliable Production Machining and Welding (www.ReliablePMW.com), one of the nation’s largest independent manufacturers of axles, hubs, and brake assemblies, to add over 40 new employees at its primary production facilities in Kendallville, Indiana.
"Our primary market segments include lawncare equipment manufacturers, R.V. and marine, agricultural equipment manufacturers, large construction equipment manufacturers, and the retail aftermarket. We’ve seen a steady increase in order volumes from all of these segments which is an indication of a positive turnaround from a few years ago," stated Reliable PMW President, Chuck Drerup.
Reliable PMW upgraded several key pieces of computerized equipment in its production machining and welding plants. Precision equipment like robotic welders and CNC Lathes have increased Reliable’s ability to service customers more efficiently and broadened the scope of capabilities overall.
Vice President and General Manager, Greg Salway, was promoted to Chief Operating Officer on April 15 in a response to the increase of responsibilities added with the trend of growth since early 2010.
"Our business has always been cyclical, but the consistent growth the past year has been very encouraging and required us to add a lot of production staff in recent months," said Greg. "We are seeing an increase in customers needing precision parts made on our CNC equipment, and these are the higher paying positions we’ve been filling. We are still in need of several experienced operators and hoping to continue receiving applications from qualified applicants," he added.
Reliable PMW underwent a management led buyout in July 2010 which has been a catalyst to the growth. A recent decision made among senior management was to expand its marketing and sales effort into a rapidly growing segment of aftermarket retail products.
Marketing Consulting Firm, Day 6 Design, also of Kendallville, has been working closely with Reliable PMW management to develop a 3 to 5 year plan to double its Retail Aftermarket sales volume.
"Not surprising, several companies are relying heavily upon online sales to reach retail consumers with their products," stated Day 6 Design owner, Patrick Hess. "When freight friendly parts can be purchased easily online, retail buyers continue to use the ease of their computers at home and work to order them."
The plan to increase the Retail Aftermarket sales will include the addition of a new division of Reliable PMW dedicated wholly to adding, servicing, and maintaining new sales channels in both brick-and-mortar stores and online.
Mayor Suzanne Handshoe recently toured Reliable PMW facilities since the 2010 management led buyout and as a follow up to review the impacts of a tax abatement granted by City Council to Reliable PMW for its addition of over $400,000 of production equipment last year.
"It’s exciting to see one of our largest employers in Kendallville continuing to invest in their business with results like we’re seeing. Adding jobs in our present economic climate is an amazing statistic," stated Mayor Handshoe. "We are very industry and commercial business friendly and any way we can assist business which results in positive growth and jobs, we are going to do what it takes," she added.
Businesses requesting tax abatements must present their applications to the EDAC (Economic Development Advisory Council) for review. Items like new job creation, potential for longer term presence in the community, and sustaining existing workforce are among the criteria carefully considered before an applicant is approved through Kendallville City Council.
Source: Reliable Production, Machining and Welding