The emphasis was on employees Thursday afternoon during Rosenboom Machine and Tool’s ceremonial ground
breaking for a 90,000-square-foot addition to its Bowling Green plant on West Gypsy Lane Road.
Ceremonial because the “background music” was provided by earth moving equipment and large dump trucks
preparing the construction site. Some foundations for the project have already been poured.
Nine employees with at least 30 years of service were chosen to wield the shovels. The firm manufactures
custom crafted hydraulic cylinders.
The eight who took part were: Russell Repasz, 38 years; Tony Steward, 34 years; Mark Burks and Rex
Naugle, each with 33 years; Ron Spratt, Tim Patterson and Mike Farr, each with 32 years; and Dave
Peterson, 30 years. Roger Junkins, who has 34 years of service, is on vacation.
“This is your event. You are without a doubt the greatest asset this company has,” Rosenboom President
Dan Craig said. He noted that the business has come a long way since the depths of the recession three
years ago. “Like it said in the newspaper ad a few weeks ago, ‘We’re back,’” Craig said.
The company expects to add 66 employees to its staff of 151.
Sue Clark, director of the Bowling Green Community Development Foundation, Mayor Richard Edwards and
State Rep. Randy Gardner also made brief remarks.
Many of the employees who watched the event were wearing gray t-shirts with the words “Rosenboom 2012:
Expanding the Future of Hydraulic Cylinders,” surrounded by illustrations of hydraulic cylinders.
The project will add 82,000-square feet on the north side of the existing plant, 6,800-suqare-feet for a
paint line and 1,200-square feet of office space.
The cost of the building is estimated at $2.6 million, with the total project cost at $9.5 million.
Based in Sheldon, Iowa, the Bowling Green plant accounted for $26 million in sales during 2001.
Rosenboom acquired the former Green manufacturing in 2004. Green was founded in BG in 1953 and was
originally located on Clough Street.
Charles Construction is building the project with Hardy Hartzell the local contact.