Risk pays off for Master Tool owners

By WILL STEWART / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Phil Mullican, left, and Gerald Johnson started Master Tool and Machine four years ago. The company is currently looking to double the size of its plant. (Will Stewart photo)

When Phil Mullican and Gerald Johnson began Master Tool and Machine in 2000, the economy had just begun to tank. Judging by many economic indicators, the move to start a business at that time was quite risky, but four years later the two say their decision was a good one.

“We didn’t really consider the economic times when we started,” said Mullican. “We figured if others were making a living at it, so could we. And we were right.”

Johnson said at the beginning, times were tough. “It was a lean period at first. I had quit my job to help start the company and had to start looking for part time jobs to make ends meet. But it picked up and has been a real blessing,” he said.

These days, the future looks bright for the two, and their behind-the-scenes partners, Jay Elam and Pat Dooley. What began as a small business behind Mullican’s house, quickly outgrew the small space, forcing the two to rent a larger building. After two years that too grew too small and the partners decided last year to build their own building in Morrison.

Catering mainly to local manufacturers, Master Tool and Machine makes and sells an array of fabricated items, from platforms and other steel structures to shipping containers and conveyor systems. The company also does various tool and die and machine work. It employs 13 people.

Unlike some other county businesses, Master Tool and Machine will not be greatly affected by the closing of Carrier, said Mullican, as they do not do that much business with the air conditioner manufacturer. Their company’s biggest clients, said Johnson, are Morrison Tool and Fab and Yorozu.

“They, and several other county manufacturers, have been very good to us,” he said.

Local companies have been so good to Master Tool and Machine, the two said, that they are currently talking about expanding their operation to twice its current size. Specifically, they would like to add a loading dock and a shipping and assembly area.