Dependable Machine expands
<p>Dependable Machine Shop Technician Doug Zenner sets a program in a Trak 2OP Computer Numerical Control, or CNC machine, on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015, in the Dependable Machine shop in Hayden. Zenner been working in the industry for more than 30 years, and started working with Dave Fisher in 2011.</p>
<p>Pictured without a cutting bit or material that would be cut, the Trak2OP CNC machine runs through a programmed design that could be used for medical instruments, mining tools, gun manufacturing and other industries needing precise components cut out of metal, plastic and other materials. The CNC machines are accurate down to 2 microns, or .00002 inches.</p>
<p>Dependable Machine owners Dave and Mary Fisher pose for a portrait with sales manager Orville Eide on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015, outside the company's recently-opened shop on Orchard Avenue in Hayden.</p>
HAYDEN — The wheels of expansion are churning at Dependable Machine, Inc.
The Hayden firm, which services and sells CNC (computer numerical control) machines, recently moved into a 10,000-square-foot facility at 88 W. Orchard Ave. across from Triple Play in Hayden.
The company is also now an authorized dealer of the Mazak brand, a manufacturer of premium CNC machines.
"It's pretty astounding," said Dave Fisher, one of the owners of Dependable Machine, about the developments. "It goes to show you what hard work and especially a good team can do."
Fisher said the company is planning an open house on a date to be determined in April at its facility.
"Eight years ago my wife and I were living in a duplex and our office was in a basement," Fisher said, referring to how the company has grown. "We've kept it going from there. This has been a good area for us and Mazak will help us out."
The CNC machines the company sells range in price from $30,000 to $2.5 million, depending on their style and capabilities. The machines serve a variety of manufacturing companies, including those in the aerospace, medical, agriculture and gun sectors.
Tools that can be controlled with the CNC process include lathes, routers, grinders and mills.
Dependable Machine has a 4,000-square-foot showroom at its facility to display products and educate users about the machines.
"People can come in to kick the tires and take them for a test drive," Fisher said.
Fisher said the company's recent expansions allow employees to be trained here rather than traveling to areas such as Boise, Los Angeles or Salt Lake City.
Dependable Machine also provides services for conventional machines such as general fabrication and sheet metal equipment. Twelve employees work at the Hayden location, but the company also has employees in Seattle, California and Texas.
The Hayden location is the lone site that sells machines. In addition to Mazak, brands of equipment Dependable Machine sells include South Bend, Southwestern Industries, MegaFab and Hydmech.
Fisher said he's upbeat about the future of manufacturing in North Idaho and that North Idaho College recognizes training with CNC machines as a priority in the area.
"We believe next year will be great," he said. "With the positive feedback we've been getting, the sky is the limit."