First Posted: 12/31/2014
LIMA — MetoKote Corporation, headquartered in Lima, opened another of its many locations recently.
The company, which applies protective coatings, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony in December to commemorate the opening of its newest facility in Mebane, North Carolina.
The corporation decided to open a location there due to GKN Driveline, a company with locations in Roxboro and Mebane, North Carolina, wishing to collaborate with it on coating GKN’s steel drive shafts, according to a press release from MetoKote.
The two companies had worked together in the past at MetoKote’s other locations, but GKN wanted a partner near its two North Carolina locations.
The whole process of the new location took less than 10 months, according to the release.
“We were looking for more than just a supplier. We wanted a company that offered the highest quality coating services in a location very close to our Roxboro facility, minimizing logistics costs,” said Mike Gallagher, director of purchasing US CVJ GKN, in a statement. “We felt MetoKote was a great option.”
The location has 30 employees now but is expected to have 50 when at full capacity. There is also room for expansion at the location.
“MetoKote was pleased to have been chosen by GKN and is looking forward to a great business relationship,” MetoKote president and CEO Jeff Oravitz said in a statement. “We have valued them as a customer for the past several years and are thrilled to move to the next level with them.”
MetoKote, starting in Lima in 1969, has about 30 other facilities across the country.
Job postings increase
A total of 17,526 job openings were posted online from Oct. 14 through November 13, 2014, for Allen, Crawford, Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Lucas, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, Van Wert, Williams, Wood and Wyandot counties, according to data from The Conference Board.
This was an increase of 292 ads from the previous reporting period.
Compared to the same time period a year ago, this reflects an increase of 202 ads.
Bluffton gets pediatric practice
Monday will mark the opening of what might be the first pediatric practice ever in Bluffton.
Bluffton Pediatrics will open its doors and host a ribbon-cutting at noon Monday at its location at 505 E. Jefferson St.
“We’re very excited to be in the community,” said Christine Clymer, executive director of the practice.
Beth Bish, a nurse practitioner who lives in Bluffton, wanted to start a practice in her community and is the primary care provider at the practice.
The practice is currently accepting patients. Those interested can contact the office at [email protected].
