PIKE COUNTY, INDIANA – Two of Pike County’s top employers have invested in robotics for industrial use! Four Star Fabricators, Inc. is located in Petersburg and has operated in Pike County for 44 years. After being awarded one of Indiana’s Manufacturing Readiness grants, they put the funding to good use by increasing efficiency in their operation. Four Star Fabricators, Inc. purchased a robot arm to help with long-term welding on repetitive skills for large industrial parts. The robot is programmed and overseen by a welding technician. The President of Four Star Fabricators, Steve Miller stated, “Business has been very good and with the increased demand, the robot helps us keep jobs moving at a quicker pace. It has also allowed us to train our welding technicians to program the robot and grow their skills as well. The robot arm has been a good investment and we are fortunate to have received the grant funding to make it happen.” Four Star Fabricators looks forward to serving the Midwest for the next 44 years.
Stella-Jones is located in Winslow, Indiana and have been part of Pike County since the 1970’s. Stella-Jones plays a key role in the railroad infrastructure industry. They treat and process 1.2 million railway ties and supply railroad ties for the railroad industry. They recently invested over $7 million into the Winslow Plant. They also have invested in an industrial robotic arm that stacks railroad ties for their drying process. The Plant Manager at Winslow, Steve Basham shared, “The robotic arm is improving efficiencies within the plant. The robot is able to work 24/7 if you need it to. Stella-Jones takes safety very seriously and the robotic arm is one way that we increase safety for our workforce.” Stella-Jones has been a great community partner and their recent investment in the plant show their desire to continue being a great partner for many years to come.
Pike County is an industrial and innovative community. Our companies are thriving in Pike County and they continue to invest in automation to increase scale and efficiency. Companies that invest in automation is a positive indicator for our local economy because that means those products are high in-demand products and these companies that laid down roots in Pike County, plan to stay in operation long term and employ our local workforce.
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Four Star Fabricators, Inc. is a privately owned corporation and has been in business since 1981. We currently employ seventy people and operate two shifts at a competitive shop rate. Our main expertise is in the field of plate metal fabrication, processing approximately 8 million pounds of steel per year for the coal, aluminum, and power industries.
Stella-Jones is a publicly traded company, serving as an industry leader in the production of quality treated railroad ties and timbers, Stella-Jones has the treating capacity, sources of supply and purchasing power to meet the needs of Class 1, Short Line railroads and commercial operators from coast to coast. Our extensive supplier network of over 1,200 hardwood sawmills allows us to offer crossties and switch ties in a variety of sizes. Multiple options are also available to meet our customer’s needs, including end- plating and pre-plating.
For more information contact Ashley Willis with Pike County Economic Development Corporation at ashley@pikecountygrowth.com.