Business fares well despite sour economy

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GLADSTONE - Despite the gloom and doom in the forecast for many businesses locally and globally, one local business has experienced such growth in one year they hired five new full-time employees.

Independent Machine Co. of Gladstone, Inc. (IMC) is now in the process of shipping a major gear case order overseas to Great Britain. According to company Manager Mel Smith, this is the first of two shipments that will be sent abroad.

Smith said IMC is "attacking the global market," and "it's pretty impressive that we've got this kind of quantity going out overseas."

Smith said although many parts of the economy are currently hurting, the railroad business is actually faring quite well due to gas prices and other factors. The gear cases IMC is currently shipping out are used in that market.

"Along with help from First Bank, our financial backer, we're proud to say this is the largest combined order ever produced at our facility," said Smith. "This has allowed IMC to hire five new full-time positions within the company."

Three of the five were hired after completing welders' training through the help of Michigan Works! and the M-TEC at Bay College.

Smith said IMC has had a increase in sales of 8 percent from last year at this time.

"As IMC continues to be a leader in the railroad industry with the expansion of our global markets, we look forward to creating more new jobs and continuing to give back to the community of Delta County," said Smith.

IMC, a steel fabrication company, has been serving its customers for 27 years.

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Audrey LaFave, (906) 786-2021, ext. 145, alafave@dailypress.net