A groundbreaking ceremony for a planned $13 million Magnum Steel Works expansion Friday afternoon was a celebration for the economy of the city and region. On another level, it was also a celebration of dedicated entrepreneurs building a company from the ground up.
A fabrication company which began in 2005 as a three person operation with little means of production now boasts 40 employees. With an expansion of its 33,000 square-feet facility to a 128,000 square-feet facility, the company expects to expand its workforce to 150 in four years.
President and CEO of MSW Jim Czerwinski said the company started with himself, wife Angela and brother John.
"When we started out we thought we would keep it small and go on vacations when we wanted to," Czerwinski smiled. "We started with a couple employees then went to five and it grew like crazy. We didn't have any state-of-the-art equipment. We literally had nothing to start out with."
Before long, MSW's "nothing" grew into a 33,000 square-feet building.
"I looked at the building and I thought we would never fill it," Czerwinski said. "In a few years we were full. Everything has worked perfect for us. With this new building and state-of-the-art equipment there shouldn't be anything we can't handle."
Mt. Vernon Mayor Mary Jane Chesley was present at the event and spoke of the company's importance to the city and region.
"This expansion shows Magnum Steel Works faith in the community, its businesses and workforce," said Chesley. "The groundbreaking was a perfect setting with the machines working in back. It's pleasing to see a local man succeed in business in Mt. Vernon."
State Sen. John O. Jones (R-Mt. Vernon) called it a "great day for Mt. Vernon and the region."
"Expanding in Mt. Vernon like this will help the entire region," said Jones. "I'd like to thank Jim, his wife and John. We need people to have the opportunity to work. Jim and his family are helping provide that."
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will provide MSW with Economic Development for a Growing Economy tax credit, which are based on job creation and training grants. The state's business investment package is valued at approximately $540,000 over 10 years and is contingent on the company meeting its investment and job numbers.
"The expansion of Magnum Steel Works is a great example of the investment and job creation potential of the coal industry in southern Illinois," said Mary Ellen Bechtel, executive director of the Jefferson County Development Corporation. "We certainly appreciate the support for the project from the state of Illinois and the city of Mt. Vernon in keeping this expansion in Illinois and, especially, in our regional economy."
Czerwinski said the company specializes in fabrication, machining, mig welding, waterjet cutting and rebuild services of coal mining equipment, including Joy Global. MSW also works with Continental Tire The Americas on all equipment repair work. - http://goo.gl/bo4K9
