GROUND BROKEN FOR NEW OEM PLANT
Friday, September 15th, 2006 -- 11:56 AM
Just a couple of days ago, the 8 acres that will soon be home to OEM Fabricators Inc.'s new home in Neillsville was covered in corn.The corn has been cleared and OEM is set to turn the recently annexed property on the City's east side into their own "field of dreams".
On a perfect September day, dozens of people attended a groundbreaking ceremony for Neillsville's newest business on Thursday. OEM, based in Woodville, Wisconsin, recently celebrated 20 years in business. They call themselves a "one stop shop" for heavy gauge capabilities, offering fabrication, welding, machining, shot blast, painting and assembly.
Their Neillsville facility will be 54,000 square feet and, while they've committed to hiring 100 employees, officials expect to hire as many as 200 employees in the near future.
Lt. Governor Barb Lawton attended the groundbreaking. She came bearing a $600,000 check, which she described as a "package" of grants from the State, meant to get the ball rolling.
?I know there have been some rough moments recently in Neillsville? it feels like the tide has turned and I take this occasion today as solid evidence that it has,? Lawton said.
Neillsville mayor Diane Murphy thanked what she called her "Neillsville Team", which included City Council members, commission members, city employees and others who helped OEM expand here.
Following action by the City Council on Wednesday, Murphy deeded the 8 acres of industrial park space to OEM President Mark Tyler.
?When Nelson Muffler announced back in 2003 that they were going to close their Neillsville location, it was devastation to everyone ? especially those employees and their families,? Murphy said. ?But the dedication of those employees that stayed kept them in operation until this year.?
?OEM Fabricators will be employing many of these same people. Good things do happen when partnerships are formed,? Murphy said.
Tyler said his company was about more than just the bottom line.
?About 20 years ago we started OEM with the vision of providing value to our customers. Over the years, our vision has matured somewhat,? Tyler said.
?To often today, financial value is something that is created by buying something in China for a dime and selling it in the U.S. for a dollar. That tends to fill the wallet, but doesn?t do much for the heart. OEM wants to do something in the heart as well.?
After the ceremony, Tyler said he hopes construction will begin as soon as possible with machinery being moved in by February or March and operations to begin soon thereafter.
On The Web:
[url=http://www.oemfab.com]OEM's Website[/url]
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