High-tech company chooses Post Falls

Precision-machine manufacturer MetalQuest Unlimited is coming to Post Falls.

The Nebraska company specializes in high-volume product production for oil, agriculture and firearm industries. With a leasing contract signed, MetalQuest Unlimited President Scott Harms expects to be up and running by the end of January.

“This is a huge move for us," he said Thursday. "We’ve never done anything like this before. That hospitality and reception were very important to convince our expansion out of Nebraska.”

Harms said they will start with about 25 employees, some relocating from Nebraska, and grow from there.

“We’re very challenged with the labor force here in a rural Nebraska area that sees more outflows than inflows,” Harms said. “We were looking at the population growth, which was key. We went to KTEC very early on to make sure you had a technical school to build our next generation of people, and the rate of people moving in versus moving out.”

Other incentives, like the pro-business mindset and Idaho’s economic incentives, were also “first-rate,” Harms said.

He said connections made with Kootenai County leaders were significant.

“The economic development team has been incredibly welcoming and helpful,” he said.

The Thursday news was welcomed by both Post Falls Mayor Ron Jacobson and Gov. Brad Little. Through the introduction of MetalQuest Unlimited, Jacobson believes more job and business possibilities will follow.

“They have a reputation as a high-quality company known for their innovation and exceptional level of service,” Jacobson said in a press release. “They not only excel in customer service but also in creating high-quality jobs.”

Gynii Gilliam, president and CEO of Coeur d’Alene Area Economic Development Corporation, and her staff have been working with MetalQuest Unlimited since January.

“Everyone in the community we’ve introduced them to, whether it was education or a partner, they say (MetalQuest Unlimited) are good people,” Gilliam said. “They pay well, which is helpful as we are trying to make sure wages up in the area so residents can live here comfortably and have good opportunities.”

Harms said he looks forward to working with citizens who possess the talents and training to operate their high-tech machines. He said the company offers employee benefits and opportunities to move up in the company.

“Manufacturing, in general, is seen as a derogatory field because of the connotations of a loud factory,” he said. “But we have some ultra-high-tech equipment to bring to Post Falls that is made in Germany and essentially a super-computer on a machine.”