Progress Index - July 19, 2003

Service Center Metals sparks production

BY BEN BAGWELL

PRINCE GEORGE - Service Center Metals begins production next week at Southpoint Business Park with sales already completed through December, according to R. Scott Kelley, president.

A crew from Italy was busy this week installing $4 million in production equipment. The Italian equipment for the 77,000 square foot facility was partially funded by the Virginia Small Business Financing Authority. "We received other help from the Virginia Department of Business Assistance and the Virginia Employment Commission," Kelley says.

The company's three founders all have extensive experience in aluminum metals production. Kelley spent years with Reynolds Metals in Chesterfield County and worked later with Kaiser Aluminum. Chip Dollins, vice president of operations, was with Reynolds Metals for 16 years. Randy Weis, vice president of sales and marketing, has prior experience with Reynolds Metals, Alumax and Alcoa.

Service Center Metals will produce standard aluminum rods, bars and tubing, all of which will be shipped to metal service centers across the U.S. The company already employs 36 people and expects to hire nine more by year's end. The company has aggressive growth plans beyond 2003.

They are looking for maintenance technicians and production technicians. Applicants need good all around skills. "We are looking for a blend of experience from people who are multi-talented," Dollins says. "We have a comprehensive training program." "We are looking for people with a can do attitude who work well in a growing business," he says.

Service Center Metals is starting with an eight to 10 hour shift, but will soon go to two shifts. "By year's end we will have three shifts," Dollins says.

The company is leasing the property with option to buy from The Hollingsworth Companies, which manages Southpoint Business Park. "We chose this site because of Prince George County's enterprise zone and the strategic location near the interstates," Kelley says. The business park is just off Interstate 295 on Bull Hill Road. "Our first products will be trucked out next month," he says.

The factory receives large aluminum logs, which are sent through a furnace and cut into four foot aluminum logs. A press shapes the metal, which is then sent through a cooling process. Next, a device stretches the metal. It is packed for shipment after further heating. "We are under budget, on time and sales have been made for the rest of the year," the president says.