Canadian manufacturer is now in production in Rome

Carlsen Precision Manufacturing is slightly ahead of schedule.

Carlsen Precision Manufacturing is slightly ahead of schedule. A grand opening is set for Oct. 19.

The new Carlsen Precision Manufacturing facility in the Floyd County Industrial park started shipping product from Rome this week. The Walkerton, Ontariobased manufacturer of custom hinges, metal stamping and laser cut products plans a formal grand opening event on Oct. 19.

President and CEO Mary Jane Bushell said the finishing touches are still being put on the plant. “We are slightly ahead of schedule, a very aggressive schedule,” Bushell said. “We’re pretty delighted with where we’re at and, of course, there are still some kinks to work out.”

The plant currently has four employees. “Certainly we will be hiring more as we continue to build the business,” Bushell said. Three of the four went to Ontario in June and spent a week getting fully immersed in the business, then came back to Rome to help handle the installation of the equipment.

The facility was located in Rome to help service existing customers. “The growth plan is to service the region and eventually all of the U.S.,” Bushell said. “We’re also looking to diversify into other products. As a precision manufacturer really, the sky is the limit.”

Bushell announced plans for the Rome plant in September of last year when the Rome-Floyd County Development Authority approved a $5 million bond package for construction of the 25,000-square-foot plant.