Dorr / Michigan / United States
The sculpture INTEGRATED was rededicated Dorr Industries Inc on June 20, 2007. A remarkably simple, yet powerful, stainless steel sculpture faces 142th Avenue in Dorr, Michigan. The work of Jim Jerkatis, originally commissioned in 1998 by Saleem Durvesh, makes a strong statement about the manufacturing capabilities of Dorr Industries, Inc integrating metal stamping, screw machining, welding, bending and assembly of products to their industrial customer base. In 1957 Dorr Industries, Inc began as Modern Tool and Manufacturing Company in Kalamazoo, MI with a single customer Checker Motor Car Company. By 1959 the company outgrew its facility in Kalamazoo and moved to a 3, 000 square foot building at 1840 142nd Avenue, Dorr Michigan. The building was built in 1944 to serve as a John Deere dealership. As the business prospered it added a 2, 000 square addition in 1968 and added additional stamping presses. In 1977 the original owner died and the surviving family sold to Dave and Aline Stebleton on December 31, 1977. On July 1, 1979 the company incorporated as Dorr Industries, Inc and continued increasing its sales to where in 1985 another 2, 000 square feet of manufacturing space was added. Almost immediately, screw machines were added to the production capability of the business. This created a niche that still exists today, where screw machines and punch presses are run in consecutive operations. No other contract manufacturing businesses are known to have this combination of equipment. Customers that know of, and can use this combination of equipment appreciate the fair prices offered for the products made. In 1986, the two lots west of Dorr Industries property, and the one lot south of that property were purchased creating the possibility for an expansion that would more than double the size of the company. By working with the township, county, and state, the company was able to put together a package of tax abatements over the next twelve years that made it possible to start a new building in the fall of 1988. Annual sales continued to increase so in the fall of 1993, the original 1944 John Deere building was replaced with a new free-span building. The 1968 addition was retained, and a single, new roof was built over it and the new building. That eliminated all the poles that held up the original building, opened up walls that were obstructions to manufacturing, and added another 1, 000 square feet of working space. The addition created better manufacturing efficiencies and lowered heating and cooling costs. To maintain production during construction, the new building was built over the old one, and the old building was torn down from inside the new one. In 1995, a lot adjacent to the south side of the companys property became available, and it was purchased. The alley between the north and south properties was abandoned and became included in the company property in 2000. At the same time, the railroad property on the west side was purchased, and all seven parcels were combined into one property. There is now property available for future expansion when needed.
