Published: September 06, 2008 11:25 pm         

Welding business plans move to industrial park

BAKERSVILLE — For a decade, Andy Sullivan has been welding in his garage, even though he has more business than he has time to accept.

A few years ago, he expanded the two-door, dirt-floor garage into a larger and more efficient home for his booming business.

Now he’s ready for another upgrade.

This time, Sullivan is moving Sulli’s Welding to North Star Industrial Business Park, where his site purchase is the first since September 2005.

The park was completed in September 2007, after years in planning and construction, and Somerset County Economic Development Council officials began a marketing campaign after work was complete there.

Sullivan’s land purchase is the third at the $2.2 million, 218-acre North Star park.

“I think I couldn’t lose the value of that land. It’s a good investment,” Sullivan said.

“It’s very convenient.”

The visibility should help his business as well, he said, with a reference to chrome that truckers use to beef up their ride, just for looks.

“It’s all about the show,” he said.

If engineering and permitting work are prepared in time, he hopes to be working from the spot near Jennerstown by the end of the year.

He has a 175-ton press, which he purchased unassembled, waiting to be switched on at the new facility. With the land, building and equipment, Sullivan plans to invest more than $500,000 at the new site and wants to add to his two employees.

The offices and work space should allow for more in-house jobs, too. He now uses two trailers to travel across the state and the country to complete jobs because those in his profession are in high demand.

“In my opinion, welders were not paid enough in years past, so nobody wanted to take that path,” he said. “Now there’s a boom for them.”

He said increased local demand is connected to business expansion and developments, such as the Buncher Co.’s plans for Hidden Valley Four Seasons Resort and the Pittsburgh company’s planned upscale development nearby. The scramble to drill for natural gas also will spur a demand for welders, Sullivan predicted.

With more space, Sullivan said he wants to scoop up as much business as possible and make as much money as he can.

“My plans are to own the world,” he said with a chuckle.

     

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