A California-based manufacturer of conveyor belts has relocated to Mary's Corner.
Pioneer Conveyors produces belt and table-top conveyors that are used in warehouses to move materials. Its customers include a number of food and beverage producers, including Tillamook, Sutter Home Wines, WestFarm Foods and Del Monte, along with breweries, dairies, glass manufacturing companies and others.
The company was started in 1978 by the fathers of current owners David Seljeseth and Dragomir Urosevic. The business partners decided to move when the cost of doing business in California became more than they wanted to pay.
"Workman's compensation, health insurance, the cost of living was skyrocketing through the roof for the company and employees," said Urosevic. "Workman's compensation went up by over 400 percent."
Pioneer found out about Lewis County in 2003 at the Food Expo Trade Show in Las Vegas, where the Lewis County Economic Development Commission had a booth.
"The EDC worked really hard with us," said Urosevic. "They made us feel like they wanted us here."
The company has located to a 14,000-square-foot building off Jackson Highway that formerly held Klein Bicycles. It employs seven and plans to expand to 15 employees. It opened for business on Monday.
Over at the Port of Centralia, Adams Lumber has leased a 20,000-square-foot building off North Park Drive. Adams Lumber is a Tigard, Ore.-based manufacturer of cedar products. It plans to remanufacture cedar fencing at the port location.
The company is owned by Bill Wiley and Robert Smith, according to a company spokeswoman. It plans to open by February, and anticipates hiring between 10 and 15 people.
Mark Lawton covers economic and energy issues for The Chronicle. He may be reached at 807-8231, or by e-mail at mlawton@chronline.com.
