Ryan Huckfeldt, president and owner of the Jett Metals machining and cutting company, will move his company from Herculaneum to Pevely once his new, larger building under construction is finished.
He said the Jett Metals operations will move from a 11,000-square-foot building at 1550 Herculaneum Industrial Court to an approximately 52,000-square-foot building at 8989 Weier Road on the west side of Pevely.
“We’ve been at this (Herculaneum) location for seven years,” Huckfeldt said. We started with a metal building, later adding sides. Now, we need room again.”
A groundbreaking for the new building was held April 24.
“Our target to open the new building is the end of the year,” said Huckfeldt, who stressed he was estimating the completion date.
He said the need for more space has to do in part with plans for increased production, modernization also weighed into the decision to move.
“We will bring in robotics to help with heavy lifting,” Huckfeldt said. “We have a staff of 12 now. If we can (find more employees), we’ll at least double that number (of staff).”
Huckfeldt, 47, and his wife, Amanda, live in Imperial with their son, Kylar, 15.
He said he has 27 years of experience in the metals industry.
“(Jett Metals) is a manufacturer,” he explained. “We machine metal parts. It’s CNC – computer numerical control. For example, we can make an aluminum manifold for a pumping unit. We also do full-production precision cutting.
“We get into elevator parts. We’ve had some stuff from automotive and aerospace companies.”
Huckfeldt said he plans to keep the Herculaneum building for storage after Jett Metals relocates.
He said Jett Metals has grown over the years. “I started the company seven years ago with two machines and no customers,” Huckfeldt recalled.
Pevely Mayor Stephanie Haas said she is happy to see a new business moving to town.
“We’re very excited about them coming in,” Haas said. “We welcome any new business and wish them the best of luck.”