I.D.A. Celebrates Manufacturers in Washington County by Krista Snyder

by Krista Snyder

I.D.A. Director

Each year, Manufacturing Day is designated as October 1st in Missouri. This year, as the pandemic slowed down the actual purpose of showcasing the process of manufacturing to the high school population for possible future career choices, the Industrial Development Authority is very thankful for the industries participation doing business and being a part of the manufacturing growth for Washington County.

This year, on behalf of the Industrial Development Authority (I.D.A.), I was able to visit 17 employers in Washington County that manufacture a product, delivering mums provided by Forshana Farm, located at 16270 West State Hwy 8, Potosi. Manufacturing, and industry producers are the foundation to American made products. We are very fortunate we have these manufacturers in our County. This recognition is only a small token of what these industries do as a direct impact of the economic health for our local economy. Recruitment of a new company is only a segment of the IDA’s mission. Expansion and retention of the existing industries are the backbone of sustainability and growth within.

Washington County Aggregates - is the oldest family operated quarry in Washington County. Kelley and Kathy Silvey, owners and Nancy Portell, Corporate Secretary of Washington County Aggregates, has been in business for over 20 years and provides rock up to a 50-mile radius. The quarry is currently at 90 ft. deep, and they produce state approved crushed limestone, concrete mixes and asphalt and employ 27 employees. The business is located at 10203 Prospect Rd, Cadet.

Webster Fabric – took possession of the IDA’s 20,000 sq ft facility in December 2015 located in the Industrial Park. Webster Fabric is owned by Bill Liebe and headquartered in Chesterfield, MO. Webster Fabric manufactures the Poly-Pro Twill for lettering applications for today’s professional team uniforms. The factory employs 9 employees and is located at 10366 Industrial Park Drive, Potosi, MO 63630. Curtis Watson, Plant Manager pictured.

TNT Machining and Fabrication – established the company in 2016 and currently managed by Jonathan Skornia. (Audrea LaGesse, office manager, pictured) TNT is an Industrial Park tenant and one of the older companies in the park before the acquisition. The fabrication shop is approximately 10,000 sq ft and employees 15 fabricators and the machine shop is under 28,000 sq ft and employs 5 machinists. Potential growth with the purchase of a new machine could increase to another 10-15 jobs. The business is located at 10544 Industrial Park Drive, Potosi, MO 63660.
Reed Lumber Company – owned and operated by Carl Barns, this sawmill has been a staple in Washington County even before his purchase 26 years ago. Reed Lumber is a manufacture of pallets distributed throughout the state and beyond. The company employs 70 direct employees and 50 contractors consisting of drivers and loggers. The business it located 19111 West State Hwy 8, Potosi, MO 63664. Pictured is an office employee accepting the gift.

Redwing Shoes – Potosi factory marks its 27th year this year. Rhonda Portell, Administrative Assistant at Redwing Shoes – Potosi, says the factory is seeing an increase to the demand for work boots. Redwing boots have been handcrafted since 1905. This factory manufactures over 100 styles of work boots and employs 213 employees. The business is located at 1 Redwing Drive, Potosi, MO 63664.

Old Village Mercantile – New manufacturer, Nina Gillam, owner of the Old Village Mercantile opened the old store in 2001 and began producing the Handmade Premium Artisan Ice Cream in 2016. This product available for pickup and delivery and currently being sold in one restaurant and negotiating options to be sold in others. The business is located at 219 South State Hwy 21, Caledonia, MO 63631.

Purcell Tire & Rubber Company – one of the oldest businesses in Potosi, Bob and Juanita Purcell have been in the tire business for over 80 years. Potosi serves as the corporate headquarters for Purcell Tire & Rubber Company and is also the largest retread facility in the world. This plant alone employs about 100 employees and are also seeking trainable persons. The business is located 301 North Hall Street, Potosi, MO 63664. Diane Tinsley, Payroll Manager pictured.

Miracle Marine – established in 2000, Curtis Dzuba creates and manufactures custom welded, aluminum emergency response watercraft. Most recent design is the 20 MonsterCat 300. Currently Miracle Marine employs 5 and seeking additional trained persons to expand the manufacturing process. The business is located at 10157 Ridgecrest Road, Cadet, MO 63630.

Politte Ready Mix – established in 1973 and currently operated by Jimmy and Cheryl Gibson. Politte Ready Mix employs 12 people in the Potosi Plant and employing 40 people companywide. The company is the producer of ready-mix concrete and manufacturers concrete septic tanks. The business is located at 1 Politte Lane, Potosi, MO 63664.
Midwest Textiles and Supplies – owned and operated by Larry Pratte. Midwest Textiles occupies a 100,000 sq ft facility in the Industrial Park since 2018 and expanding another 50,000 sq ft. This facility manufactures quilting products and quilt kits which are featured for demonstration through Missouri Star Quilting Company’s youtube.com tutorials. Midwest employs approximately 48 employees. The business is located at 10096 Development Drive, Potosi, MO 63630. Mike Mahurin, VP of Operations pictured.

LaRue Artesian Spring Water – New Manufacturer, Chris McCaul, owner, began the process in October 2019 and transports the artisan spring water from the family farm to the production factory in the Industrial Park. They currently employ 12 and rapidly progressing expanding their services region, state and out of state distributions. They are located at 10443 Ameren Drive, Mineral Point, MO 63630.

Edg-Clif - Vineyard, Winery and Brewery created from the family farm into a vineyard. Cyndy (Knapp) Keesee and Steffie (Knapp) Littlefield, sisters, own and operate the business with their families. 2008 began with planting to harvest in 2010, now making 15 different types of wines. They currently employ 12 employees during the peak season and offer 3 houses through Airbnb. The vineyard is located at 10035 Edg-Clif Drive, Potosi, MO 63664. Steffie and Steven Littlefield pictured.

Eagle Cabinets – was created as a business in 1999 by Brian and Julie Brown. Eagle Cabinets Inc are cabinet makers for residential and commercial cabinets. They employ 5 and are currently seeking trainable persons. The business is located at 18935 North Hwy 21, Cadet, MO 63630.

Custom Cabinets – owned and operated by Fran Pashia. Pashia is a craftsman cabinet maker and lifelong resident of Washington County. Custom Cabinets opened in 1991 and has maintained productivity while employing 3- 4 people for nearly three decades. The business is located at 19065 North State Hwy 21, Cadet, MO 63630.

Central Stone – moved to Washington County 3 years ago after purchasing the rock quarry from GP Materials. They currently have 2 employees at the Cadet plant and over 100 employees’ company wide. Gina Sims operates the scale. Central Stone produces crushed gravel by mining limestone. The business address is 11989 North State Hwy 21, Cadet, MO 63630.

Cain Pallet – owned and operated by Randy Cain and Patsy Moss. Cain Pallet is a manufacturer of pallets and supplies to companies like; Redwing Shoe Company, Boeing, Nike in St. Louis and many more. They recycle 100% of their materials. Cain Pallet employs 17 people, and this year marks the 27th year for the business. Patsy Moss, co-owner runs the day-to-day operations at the plant. The business is located at 11871 East State Hwy E, Cadet, MO 63630.

Buckman Laboratories – owned and operated by Buckman, headquartered in Memphis, TN. Buckman North America Cadet plant was constructed in 1963 and currently under the supervision of Shawn King – Director of Cadet Manufacturing. Buckman produces chemicals for other industry products and employs 33 people. The plant is located 14664 E State Highway 47, Cadet, MO 63630.