By Kathy Oswalt-Forsythe
Miniature Custom Manufacturing broke ground May 17 on a 30,000 square foot addition to its Leja Business Park site.
Co-owners Kevin Murphy and Steve Shoemaker called it a clear sign of the company’s success and their belief in investing in the future, adding that they’ve worked to build a culture based on their values of “people first, quality second and production third.” They attribute the company’s growth and success to a team whose members work tirelessly and support one another.
The addition, to be built by Kalamazoo-based Delta Design, is being financed in collaboration with the Village of Vicksburg, Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Southwest Michigan First and First National Bank of Michigan.
In 2007, the two were looking for a facility that was affordable and would accommodate their machinery; Murphy says they looked for two or three months before they discovered an available space in the business park on Vicksburg’s west side. Village leaders Jim Mallery, Tim Frisbie and Ken Schippers made them feel welcome and helped connect them to resources. “We feel so lucky to be here. The village has been amazing to work with,” said Shoemaker.
Over the years, their automated injection molding company has grown. They have gradually added and accommodated new machinery. Business has gone from 49 employees in 2019 to 80 employees today, with 21 positions open and 10 to 15 more to be added by the year’s end. Murphy stressed, “We need people, and we train and compensate our employees well.” miniaturecustommfg.com.
