50 jobs seen as SEI grows

By KIM HOYUM, Journal Staff Writer
K.I. SAWYER — Superior Extrusion Inc. celebrated the start of a major expansion project Tuesday at its K.I. Sawyer facility.


The multi-million dollar expansion includes a new building, bringing the facility to more than 100,000 square feet. It will house a refurbished 9-inch press, enabling the company to produce bigger orders and larger products, expansion project manager George LaBlonde said.


The total expansion is projected to cost about $8 million, including about $3.6 million for the 60,000-square foot physical expansion and $4.4 million for the press and associated equipment, LaBlonde said. He said the building will go up beginning in early June, and the press is scheduled to arrive in August.


A connecting building between the current and new facilities, a new parking lot, and a storage area for raw aluminum also are part of the project.


“We’re looking at hopefully getting this project done by Nov. 1 and being in operation by late November,” LaBlonde said.


Associated Constructors Inc. of Negaunee broke ground at the new facility, directly behind the existing Superior Extrusion building, in late April, he said.


The expansion will also add 45 to 55 new jobs at SEI over the next three to five years, bumping up the work force from about 70 employees to between 115 and 125, LaBlonde said. The new press, in comparison to the current 7-inch press, will boost production by millions of pounds each year, he said.


Superior Extrusion manufactures aluminum components for doors, docks, ramps, trailers and vehicles, and produced 13.2 million pounds last year.


LaBlonde said once the new press reaches full operating capacity, the facility will be able to turn out 36 million pounds of products per year.


He recalled SEI’s humbler beginnings in 1998 and one of the company’s first orders, from Fraco Inc. of Chocolay Township.


“We thought it was great that we got an order of 8,000 pounds,” LaBlonde said.


He said the company held the ground-breaking and ribbon-cutting  ceremony this week in part to thank the many people and groups that contributed to SEI’s success.


Representatives from Marquette County, the Lake Superior Community Partnership, Michigan Works! and Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s office, SEI shareholders and economic development and business officials attended the ceremony.


LaBlonde said one of the exciting things about the expansion is that it counters the statewide trend toward job losses.


“When you look at how many manufacturing jobs have been lost in the state of MIchigan, we’re a real, true success story,” he said.


Marquette County Board Chairman Gerry Corkin echoed those sentiments Tuesday night at the board’s meeting, noting how SEI has grown over the years. Commissioner Chuck Bergdahl said SEI also is notable as one of the K.I. Sawyer businesses that has relied on private investments rather than grant funding.


In April, the county received more than $200,000 in state funding to relocate part of a road near SEI to allow more room for the expansion. The new road design also will make it easier for trucks to access the plant.