Plant acquisition breathed new life &mdash and jobs — into M&W

Gibson City saw new life breathed into a once-major employer and an expansion of physical plant facilities after Alamo Group Inc. of Sequin, Texas, decided to acquire the former M & W Gear Co. plant in 1995.

With help from Gibson City's tax-increment financing district, Alamo has increased production line employees from about 60 to more than 260, according to Rick Pummel, division executive vice president and general manager at Gibson City.

The company draws employees from a five-county area and is still seeking welders and engineers. Pummel said Alamo intends to continue its expansion at Gibson City.

New construction at Gibson City added 40,000 square feet for manufacturing and 10,000 square feet for engineering, research and development. Pummel said the company has invested more than $6 million in capital improvements such as buildings, powder-coat paint system and robotics.

Although both M & W and Fuerst brand products are still produced in Gibson City, the majority of production is now for the Rhino brand products.