Koester Metals Expands with New Facility

Koester Metals, Inc. (Defiance, OH) has been in the metal fabrication business since 1975. Their specialty: manufacturing custom enclosures for many industries, including power generation and distribution, energy and automation, hydraulic and electrical drives, industrial heating, aerospace, and more. Their precision fabrications range from small hand-held fabrications to 40+ ft long walk-in enclosures.

For years, president and CEO Gary Koester has driven down through the company one key message: ?Work with honesty and integrity to produce the quality and customer service that you would expect and that our customers deserve.? This principle has become this fabricator?s core strength, enabling the company to remain a world-class enclosure supplier to the industries they serve, even during these tough economic times.

To increase offerings and value-added services to customers, and to maximize operational efficiency, KMI has recently made substantial investments, including acquiring a third facility. The new facility, located in Fremont, IN, is fully equipped with the latest in manufacturing and finishing technology. A brand new 4000 w laser cutting system has also been added to the Defiance facility. In addition to the increased capabilities and equipment, the expansion will provide 130,000 sq ft of space available for value-added manufacturing and assembly space.

?We are committed to meeting our customer?s needs, and increasing their competitiveness,? stated Koester. ?This expansion will enable us to perform more value-added assembly work. Completing post-finishing product assembly at our facility allows our customers to focus their resources on their core competencies. This enables OEMs to grow their business without the requirement of expanding facilities.? The company has also increased its marine-duty and offshore finish offerings made available through the new powder coating lines.

The facility, previously occupied by Rittal Electromate, at one point employed nearly 150 people. KMI hopes to put many of them back to work soon. ?They are a highly-skilled workforce with much experience in the various forms of fabrication and finishing that we offer including stainless steel and aluminum. This will help us to grow in-step with our customers,? says Koester.

He stresses the importance of investing in the future of the company despite tough economic times. ?If you?re not going up, you?re going down. With the best people, processes, and equipment available we are continuously improving and evolving with the market.?

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www.kmienclosures.com