Made in LaGrange – Lake Area Designs
Made in LaGrange - Lake Area Designs A Local Success Story in Hardwood Manufacturing LaGrange, IN – Eleven years ago, a group of partners saw the potential in a small molding company in Sturgis, Michigan. With just seven employees, a handful of machines, and a few sales accounts, the business had room to grow. Recognizing an opportunity, partners Brian Miller, Danny Wingard, Steve Christner, and Bryan Copsey purchased the company, relocated it to LaGrange,. LaGrange offered the right conditions for expansion—tax incentives, available space, and a strong workforce. Following the move to LaGrange, the business [...]
Made in LaGrange – Helmuth Quality Power
Helmuth Quality Power Systems Family Business Dedicated to Manufacturing Quality and Efficient Generator Sets for the Community On a cold winter day, I had the privilege of visiting Helmuth Quality Power, located between Topeka and Millersburg. Despite the frigid temperatures outside, Howard Helmuth, the founder and co-owner, warmly welcomed me inside to meet the team and take a tour of the business. Helmuth Quality Power began its journey in July 1982 as Helmuth Repair Shop, where Howard specialized in repairing small gasoline engines and gas and diesel tractor engines. Just over a year later, the [...]
Made in LaGrange – Exo-s
Exo-s Provides Opportunity to Community, Automotive Industry, and Team Members With a legacy spanning more than five decades, Exo-s has solidified its position as a leading designer and manufacturer of plastic functional systems, utilizing advanced injection and molding processes. Founded in 1968 in Bombardier, Quebec, the company initially specialized in producing skis and tracks for snowmobiles. Since then, Exo-s has expanded its footprint internationally, now operating manufacturing facilities in Canada, the United States, and Mexico, and employing over 1,000 professionals worldwide. The company’s journey is marked by strategic acquisitions, including Camoplast Thermoplastic Group in 1982 and [...]
Made in LaGrange – PalletOne
PalletOne, a member of UFP Industries, has its roots in Shipshewana, Indiana, where it originally operated as Shipshewana Hardwoods. Established in the early 1970s by Josey Bontrager, the company began as a small-scale pallet manufacturer and has since evolved into one of the largest new pallet manufacturers in the United States. As a vital part of logistics, new pallets serve as the backbone for shipping goods across various sectors. From the beginning, PalletOne has experienced significant growth. Starting with just a handful of employees—Josey’s wife, Judy, and Josey’s dad—the company now employs over 70 full-time workers. The first pallets [...]
