Paragon D&E, a Grand Rapids-based mold supplier, continued its drive to provide innovative, leading-edge services to customers by investing $3.5 million in a huge milling machine for large-scale precision molds and machined parts.
The Italian-made equipment, a double gantry 5-axis FIDIA milling machine, is about the size of a car wash that can easily cut the entire fuselage of an F-22 Raptor fighter jet within a hair's width of tolerance. It's the largest of its kind in North America and one of perhaps only a handful in the world, says Dave Muir, president of Paragon D&E. "People can't fathom the size of this unless they see it," he says.
The investment represents a "significant leap forward" for Paragon D&E to meet the needs of industries that demand large, highly precise molds and machined parts, he says. It took nearly a year to prepare the site and install the machine at the company's plant at 5225 33rd St. SE.
Muir says the company did not have a specific job in hand when it ordered the machine, but has since landed several contracts to utilize it, including some from the U.S. Defense Department.
Over the last five years, the company has sought to diversify its customer base that now includes companies in the aerospace, alternative energy, automotive, heavy truck, agriculture and other industries. "We're almost in any industry that you can think of that would need our technology," he says.
The company is seeking NQA-1 qualification so that it will be able to work on materials and components used by the nuclear power industry.
Beside the cost of new equipment, Paragon D&E also has made a significant investment in its employees, leveraging the team approach to all projects. With annuals sales of approximately $30 million, Paragon D&E employs about 140 skilled tool makers, machinists and support staff. Muir estimates between 10 to 20 new employees could be brought on board next year.
Source: David Muir, president of Paragon D&E
Sharon Hanks is the innovation and jobs news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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