California Connection – Manufacturers to arrive in Idaho after 2-year recruitment

Posted: Friday, Oct 08, 2004 – 12:25:27 am PDT

Persistence paid off, and North Idaho scored a two-for-one deal with the relocation of another pair of California companies expected by the end of the year.

By RICK THOMAS
Staff writer

http://www.cdapress.com/articles/2004/10/08/business/bus01.txt

Form Physics LLC of San Diego, a metal injection molding company will move here in November, followed closely by Pathways Thermal Technology of Corona, Calif., which manufactures the custom furnaces used by Form Physics and other companies.

Both were recruited to the area by Jobs Plus, with Bob Potter, the former president of the economic development agency, making the initial contact two years ago.

"We’re thrilled with this," said Steve Griffitts, current Jobs Plus president. "It’s been a great process."

Form Physics manufactures small parts using powdered metals in the furnaces, which create sintered metal pieces heated to about 4,500 degrees. Medical components such as orthodontic devices and instruments and small gears are among the pieces made by the company.

"It’s a niche market," said Ian Clark, a managing member of the company. "We make small complex shapes about golf ball size."

Pathways will provide some of the equipment in a partnership arrangement, and both companies are building new plants on Tracy Road in the Warren K. Industrial Park.

Between them, they will employ about 22, with about half moving here and the rest to be hired from the local labor force. Hiring will range from basic laborers to those with technical expertise, said Clark.

"We’ll bring some of our key people," he said. "We’ll start hiring in January."

They chose to come to North Idaho because of lower building and power costs and better rates for workers compensation. Both companies believe they have an opportunity for expansion with the move.

"I thought the North Idaho and Coeur d’Alene area was the nicest place of the lot," said Clark.

When a partner sold the plant they were working from, they decided since they had to move, they’d come north.

Lance Ross, an engineer with Pathway, owned by his father, Ron, said the manufacturing process is sophisticated and his furnaces are an essential part of it, so they decided to come along.

"We fell in love with the place," Ross said. "When you figure you can do business there, it’s exciting."

Rick Thomas can be reached at 664-8176, ext. 2005, or e-mail [email protected].