New owner, employees successful in saving the foundry

By AMY SATTERWHITE / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Elgie King grinds a cast iron part at Powermatic Foundry, Inc., which stayed open under new ownership after most of Powermatic’s main offices were relocated last year. The move to keep the foundry open saved 26 local jobs. (Amy Satterwhite photo)

When Powermatic closed its main plant last year, closing the foundry was thought to be next. But 26 company employees found themselves employed when the foundry didn’t close after all.

President and current owner Al Dorsey purchased it from Powermatic Corp. after that industry was purchased by Jet Equipment and Tools. Dorsey created Powermatic Foundry, Inc. on Jan. 1 of this year.

The foundry never stopped running, he said, noting his interest in purchasing the foundry was because he was familiar with the old company through former business dealings. Additionally, Dorsey said his wife, Trish, is from McMinnville.

The foundry supplies local industries such as TennSmith, Accu-Router and others with iron products by first molding and pouring gray iron. The foundry still does work for the old Powermatic (Jet Tools).

“It can be a real benefit having a local foundry because they use cast iron parts in their machines,” Dorsey said of the advantages to local industries. “But they weren’t getting much service before, so we’re looking to put out a better product and do things right.”

He said he hopes the foundry will become a permanent fixture in the community and hoped to employ others with time.

“As our business grows, we’ve got the potential to have as many as 45-50 employees and that’s what we’re working toward,” he added.