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Rockford company buys new laser equipment with help from state

Rockford company buys new laser equipment with help from state
A wide variety of metal cutting, forming, joining and finishing equipment, including state-of-the-art laser-cutting equipment, as well as storage for many kinds of metals, exists within the large North Iowa Fabrication company located west of Rockford on 215th Street, a little more than 2 miles west of Rockford. Press photo by Bob Steenson
By Mary Pieper, Special to the Charles City Press

North Iowa Fabrication has purchased new laser equipment with assistance from a $50,000 grant from the state

“We updated our current laser capacity to the newest, state-of-the-art laser cutting capabilities,” said Steve Sliger, owner of the Rockford company.

North Iowa Fabrication was one of 37 businesses across the state to receive Technology Investment funds from the Iowa Economic Development Authority late last year for projects encompassing the adoption and integration of smart technologies.

The total cost for North Iowa Fabrication to purchase a new fiber laser, as well as the computers and software to run it, was nearly $950,000.

The company produces steel, aluminum and stainless-steel parts for agriculture, construction equipment, exercise equipment, grain transfer equipment, food processing, and medical equipment.

The parts are shipped out daily to locations all over the country, including North Carolina and Oklahoma, according to Sliger.

Laser cutting, computer numerical control (CNC) machining, CNC brake press work, welding, powder coating, painting and assembly are all completed in- house.

The funds North Iowa Fabrication received were from Iowa’s Manufacturing 4.0 plan, a roadmap to help companies remain globally competitive through a fourth industrial revolution that emphasizes automation and smart technology, according to a press release from the governor’s office.

“Our Manufacturing 4.0 initiative focuses on one of Iowa’s largest industries, and will help them unleash new potential to grow their businesses,” Gov. Kim Reynolds said. “To maintain our economic vitality in this sector, particularly as we work to mitigate ongoing workforce shortages, these grants serve as a critical resource to support advanced manufacturing businesses. It is imperative that our businesses remain globally competitive and a step ahead of the evolving demands of the 21st century economy.”

Rockford company buys new laser equipment with help from state
North Iowa Fabrication received a state grant last year to help it buy an advanced computer-controlled, metal-cutting laser for a total price with computer control equipment of almost $1 million. Press photo by Bob Steenson

 

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