Rathdrum firm lands $1.45 million contract
<p>Daniel Shepperd, head press brake operator for Heater Craft, runs an aluminum part for a drawer box through a piece of machinery during his shift Monday at the Rathdrum manufacturing facility.</p>
RATHDRUM - Business is heating up at Heater Craft.
Rathdrum manufacturer Heater Craft and Impact Case and Container has landed a $1.45 million contract to make aluminum cases to be purchased by The USA Center of Military History Museum Division.
"This was a very nice surprise," said Michael Bailey, company president. "It's been a long time since our company landed a contract as good as this. With the economy we've been through, it's a huge deal for the company."
Heater Craft officials said the contract means the company will add 15 full-time, permanent jobs paying between $10 and $18 an hour to meet the demand.
Positions starting mid-October include assemblers, machine operators and welders. The company currently has 42 employees.
"We have to ramp up our production to keep up with our core products and add an evening shift to accommodate the exponential growth," said Matt Fleener, production manager.
The military history collection consists of artifacts dating as early as before the Revolutionary War. These include about 20,000 firearms stored in the Anniston Army Depot in Alabama. The artifacts vary in size, weight and condition.
"Many of the artifacts are rare, valuable and irreplaceable, requiring sensitive handling and professionally designed and fabricated storage systems to preserve their historical integrity," a Heater Craft press release states.
The museum division is accountable for all Army-owned historical property.
"We are extremely proud and honored to provide a custom case solution for such historically important artifacts," said John Chambers, chief operating officer.
Heater Craft, which started in 1989, makes a variety of comfort-related products for marine, recreational vehicle and off-road applications. Its products have included gun cases, dog crates and specialty cases for sports teams.
"We have streamlined every part of our business," Bailey said. "We have had to go through some tough times to refine our process and a lot of our competition could not react to the markets the way we have."
Bailey said the company's previous largest contract was for $8 million from the military to make cases for scanners, printers and computers.
Those interested in the new positions should inquire at the company at 6672 Boekel Road in Rathdrum. For more information, call (800) 251-5924 or visit www.heatercraft.com.