An Oregon manufacturing company is expanding to provide engineers with the resources needed to meet business needs.

"For the folks at F. N. Smith Corporation it is a red letter day," said F. N. Smith President Ed Smith Oct. 8.  "Your efforts, all the training you put forth over the last 30 years, has brought us to the point that we are looking to expand our engineering."

A new 6,000 square foot building will allow engineers to keep up with modern manufacturing. 

"This office is being built specifically to make us more technically relevant in today's world," said Smith, as he addressed his employees.  "Look at the machines that are on the floor.  You don't just make cans and levers anymore, you make machines hooked to computers.   That is the future of this business in special machines."

F. N. Smith creates a variety of machines used in the food processing industry and clients include Quaker Oats, Ralston Foods, and General Mills.

"We're lucky through this entire downturn that the economy has been experiencing to continue to stay very relevant and strong," said Smith.  "Last year was our strongest financial year ever and this year is seeming to do the same. I think our direction of technical expertise is taking the company in the right direction.

"So, because we are all kind of zoned in on doing things in a practical manor, this seems  excessive I'm certain to many of us,  and it does to me. I can't believe we're saying we are going to spend this money right now.  Are we goofy?

"No, I think long term, it has long term ramifications to get not only the company, but your careers where they belong. In doing so, benefiting the community and people that are on the chamber and all of the folks that make a community work together.

"And so with that I am very proud to be part of it, I don't want to be the center of it.  The people that are over here are paying for this and making it happen."

Smith said the new building is needed to give the engineers adequate space to create the products.  This includes the ability for the designs to be communicated to the plant efficiently.

"This building is not to give Ed Smith an office to sit in that I feel more comfortable," said Smith. "This is about building an office space that allows us to develop engineering concepts and better communicate with our plant."

The new building is scheduled to be completed by March 1.

"So with that, it would be my hope that we will have higher productivity in engineering as well as hopefully add a few more engineers along the way as our business drives us in that direction," said Smith.  "I just want to again thank everyone for their efforts to make this happen.   The contributions from everyone.  Just really exciting to see people work together.  I really enjoy that."

F. N. Smith currently employs 45 engineers, technicians, welders, and support staff.

The project is being overseen by architects McLellan and Blakemore, Rockford and contractor Larson & Larson, Loves Park.