Month: March 2022

Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry (WAF), a leader in aluminum and copper-based alloy castings, has acquired the assets of castings manufacturer DEE, Inc. in Crookston, Minnesota. The acquisition will expand WAF’s current operations while creating new opportunities with the increased capacity.

“We are thrilled to welcome DEE into the WAF family,” said WAF CEO Sachin Shivaram. “DEE has a dedicated and skilled workforce that operates much of the same equipment as our Manitowoc plant, making it a natural extension of our business as we look to meet the growth in our customers’ demand for aluminum castings. It also creates new opportunities as manufacturing continues to evolve, so we envision significant growth at DEE as well as Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry.” Shivaram added that WAF will seek to add 30 new positions at DEE as production grows.

Leading the DEE facility will be Paul Cwikla, one of the three previous owners, who will serve as Vice President and General Manager. “This is a wonderful opportunity for the team, the community, and for WAF,” said Cwikla. “We recognize the experience and expertise WAF brings to the table and share the value they place on employees. It is a great match, and we’re excited about our future together.”

City of Crookston leaders are also eager to welcome Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry to the ‘Crookston family.’ “DEE has played a vital role in sustaining our community through skilled jobs, capital investment, and local leadership,” explains Crookston City Administrator Amy Finch. “We are impressed with the standard and quality reflected in WAF’s leadership, and we are confident they will continue in that honored tradition, moving our community into the future with confidence and vision.”

With 72 employees, DEE, Inc. is among the largest employers in Crookston, and it has played a pivotal role in the community. “DEE has been a leading company locally, and this acquisition creates new opportunities that will enhance and strengthen our local workforce,” said Christine Anderson, business consultant for Crookston’s Small Business Development Center. “WAF has an excellent reputation, is committed to success, and we’re excited for what this means to Crookston and Northwest Minnesota.”

WAF’s latest acquisition comes less than a year after purchasing Wabash Castings in Wabash, Indiana. “There has been tremendous growth in demand for products manufactured in America, and we are positioning ourselves to meet that demand,” Shivaram said. Under WAF’s ownership, Wabash Castings has doubled revenue and increased employment by 50%.

Founded in 1909, WAF is a family-owned company serving a wide variety of industries by providing high-quality aluminum and copper-based alloy castings. Its Manitowoc facilities, including its foundry and machine shop divisions, employ more than 450 team members, with Wabash Castings, LLC employing nearly 150 team members.

About Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry: Aluminum Foundry is an industry leader in aluminum and copper-based alloy castings for various industries. Headquartered in Manitowoc, Wis., the family-owned company is known for its All-American line of cookware and for its support of the local community. For more information, visit www.wafco.com or contact Marketing Coordinators Jennifer Kilmer at (920) 482-9330 or Cole Buergi at (920) 619-4400.

The post WISCONSIN ALUMINUM FOUNDRY ACQUIRES DEE, INC. ASSETS IN CROOKSTON appeared first on KROX.

The Northwest Regional Corrections Center in Crookston reported the following arrests.

Hunter Bryant McCauley, 21 of Grand Forks, for Third-Degree DUI.

Jessica Ann LaFriniere, 38 of Crookston, for Third-Degree Drug Possession.

Roger Lee Passa, 37 of Crookston, for First-Degree Arson.

The post ARREST/FIRE REPORT – March 1, 2022 appeared first on KROX.

The Crookston City Council met last night at the Crookston City Council chambers in the lower level of Crookston City Hall. Councilman, Steve Erickson was absent from the meeting.

SPECIAL PRESENTATION

The Council began with a Presentation from Sachin Shivaram, the CEO from Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry, on their purchase of D Incorporated and their Economic Development for the City. They explained their excitement in moving and potentially opening new branches for their companies and spreading out here to Crookston, giving the populace many potential jobs to the city. The Council seemed very pleased with the report and presentation. City Administrator Amy Finch explained the impact the company will potentially have on the city, “Some of the things they described in their brief presentation is some additional jobs will be added to that and moving away from some temp hires. So hopefully, he said about 100 jobs by the end of the year, which is really great for our community, as well as they’re planning on expanding their services and increasing revenues. They’re a really great company that’s been working with Robert Barnes and then Christine Andersen over at SPDC. They’re great companies to work with, it seems like a really good fit for D Inc. and Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry, and we’re really excited to have them welcomed into our industrial family,”

CONSENT AGENDA

The Consent Agenda included the approval of the proposed City Council Minutes from their last meeting on February 14. As well as the resolution to approve all of the City of Crookston Bills and Disbursements in the amount of $220,205.13.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

The Council then heard from the Public on Street Improvements on five different streets throughout Crookston by local companies. “As we heard someone from the public asking today, if there’s any work that needs to be done, they will often try to time those street improvements if a water main or waterwork has to be done that would tear a street up, you certainly want to do that before you invest money laying resurfacing down. So, some of its timing and some of its just addressing some specific needs in those areas,” said Finch. The first being reconstruction on First Avenue North, connecting Stearns Street to Albert Street Project 984, the second being reconstruction on Second Avenue North, connecting Stearns Street to Albert Street Project 985. Both of the roads had the water mains underneath them repaired recently. The third being Full Depth Reclamation of Bituminous Mill & Overlay on Overlay Sunflower Street, connecting Third Avenue South to Crescent Avenue Project 986. The fourth being Bituminous Mill & Overlay on South Washington Street, connecting TH 2 to Brower Street Project 987. One expressed concerns about the depth of an overlay for the street and wished that it could be deeper to prevent any more problems with the road’s overlays and asked how the payments would be paid: by footage or by property value. The Council answered that it was a $15 rate per footage. And the final being Bituminous Wear Course on Eickhof Boulevard, 500 ft North of Prairie Rose to Fisher Avenue. The Council approved of all orders.

REGULAR AGENDA

The Regular Agenda included the approval of the aforementioned Street Improvements and Preparations. The Council then went on the approve the addition of a temporary emergency holding facility for the Northwest Regional Corrections Center known as the Memorandum of Understanding. Jake Solberg came forward to explain the purpose of the Memorandum. In case of a natural emergency or emergency evacuation, this is a temporary holding facility that could hold the inmates for at least 12 hours of food and care until they could be moved back. They will also get specific transportation to get all of the prisoners to the facility. They then continued the discussion of the search for the Interim Administrator that will take the temporary place of City Administrator, Amy Finch. The Mayor explained his concerns and troubles with finding one and that he believed one of the City Attorneys would be a good choice to rise from their post to take the temporary position. The Mayor recommended City Attorney Charles “Corky” Reynolds due to their connection and close working relations with Finch. Police Chief Darren Selzler volunteered himself for the position, saying that he knew the city well and has been in the Police and City Department for 18 years. And with his ten years as the Police Administrator, he had dealt with many different cases similar to that of the Administrator Interim. City Attorney Reynolds then approached the podium, thanking the Council for choosing him, saying he would work closely with the other department heads to keep their positions running well for the entire city. And due to all of his recent work, mainly as an Attorney, he would make a good choice with his work for the community lately. The Board then moved a motion consensus to make City Attorney Reynolds the Interim Administrator for the time being. “After the suggestion came up by Council Member Melbye at the last meeting, the City Attorney is already so intertwined with the work that is done with the city. They work very closely with the Administrator with individual department heads. I think there was a consensus among the department head team. We heard again tonight at the council meeting from the council members and the Mayor that we feel like this is really the best recommendation that allows them to continue their day to day work to achieve their goals and progress that’ve been outlined for them through the budgeting process, through certain council priorities, through certain priorities that they have set within their own departments without having to invest so much extra time getting external candidate up to speed on every item and issue that might come up,” Finch explained.

SPECIAL/INDIVIDUAL REPORTS

The Board then went to each individual department for each of their own reports and updates. Officer Selzler explained that today was Chief Beirmaier’s last day in the office as Police Chief and that there were many new applicants to be police officers. Jake Solberg came forward about news on the community, with one being the town pool being closed until Wednesday due to chemical imbalances, and they needed a new piece in order to fix it all. And the baseball association came forward with replacing new lights for the baseball field and with a new start-up system to power them all on.

The next City Council meeting will take place on Monday, March 14, at 7:00 p.m. inside the City Hall Council Chambers.

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