OEM Fabricators, Inc.: Breaks Ground In Neillsville

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information: S. Mark Tyler, president, OEM Fabricators, Inc., 715-698-2111

SEPT. 18, 2006—NEILLSVILLE, WIS.—Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton presented a check representing state and local commitments to the expansion of OEM Fabricators Inc. to Neillsville, Wis., at the company’s groundbreaking ceremony Sept. 14 in the city’s industrial park.

OEM Fabricators, Inc., a Woodville, Wis. fabricating, machining, welding and finishing company, hopes to begin construction on its new plant immediately. Boon Construction of Neillsville will excavate and prepare the site, and Durand Builders of Durand has been selected as the general contractor.

“Today’s grant is a story of federal, state and local governments partnering with an ambitious company that wants to grow right here—one of the most beautiful places in Wisconsin,” said Lawton. “We’re very excited that the state can help create a package to bring new jobs and growth to Wisconsin, with a company that is simply archetypal of what works in Wisconsin—value added manufacturing.”

Lawton presented a “check” representing $600,000 in grants to the municipality to provide loans and economic development tax credit.

OEM Fabricators’ president S. Mark Tyler noted the city of Neillsville’s responsiveness to the plans. “When we first visited Neillsville, two things became very apparent. First, there were many very capable people,” said Tyler. “Second, there was one person who would make the decision of ‘yes’ to Neillsville very easy, and that person is Mayor Diane Murphy.”

“The expansion of OEM Fabricators into Neillsville has become a reality, and reality happens when people work together to achieve a mutual goal of accomplishment,” said Murphy. “Respect and teamwork is very evident between OEM’s management and its employees and we are very fortunate to have a company such as OEM be a part of our community.”

The facility will be some 50,000 square feet on eight acres next to the Chippewa Valley Technical College on Tiff Avenue. It is expected to begin operation in early 2007, and will be used to build large components for original equipment manufacturers. Processes that will be performed in-house include fabricating, welding, machining, finishing and assembly. Support functions such as quality, engineering, purchasing, human resources and customer service also will be done in Neillsville.

Tyler added, “too often, financial value 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,” said Tyler. “OEM wants to do something for the heart too, and we feel our expansion in Neillsville helps accomplish this goal.”

Company officials hope to hire between 50 and 100 personnel immediately. Recruiting will be done through the Neillsville Job Center. Management for the Neillsville plant includes: Craig Kronberger of Neillsville, plant manager; Darwin Durst of Fairchild, office manager; and Rich Wegner of Marshfield, quality manager.

The project represents an initial investment of nearly $9 million for construction, equipment, working capital and team member training. OEM has worked with the Wisconsin Department of Commerce, Wisconsin Business Development Finance Corporation, West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, Clark County, the city of Neillsville and its lead bank, First National Bank of Hudson.

OEM Fabricators, Inc. is a privately held fabricating, machining, welding and finishing company that designs and builds medium to heavy gauge components, subassemblies and turnkey products for original equipment manufacturers. Founded in Woodville, Wis. in 1986, the company has annual sales of approximately $25 million. It has almost 200 team members in its Woodville operation. Its customer base is highly diversified by company and industry. Construction, railroad, energy exploration, road building, agriculture and pharmaceuticals are a few of the industries the company serves.

More information on OEM Fabricators, Inc. can be found at http://www.oemfab.com.