Creating A New Niche
The term “versatile” usually isn’t associated with steel. However, a visit to Forest Steel Inc., a company that is drastically expanding in Dalton Gardens, shows a very versatile, or diversified, operation, which, said sales manager David Schilling, rekindle the “wow factor.”
Forest Steel’s products range from wires th of an inch thick to 13-ton plates that are 8 feet wide, 16 feet long and 8 inches thick. The company, in its third generation, produces beams and bars and round or square tubes. Some sections of steel weigh up to 250 pounds per foot.
The steel processing, used for a growing list of customers in the region, requires a variety of equipment, including the largest steel saw in the West, which can cut 42-inch products. Other machines drill, bend, punch, cut and burn various grades of steel into the desired shapes and sizes.
The products, equipment, inventory and processes needed more room. Hence the expansion.
Wally Forest started the company in the 1940s on the 9th Street location where the company still operates a recycling center. This weekend the business is expanding to 60,000 square feet of plant space on 2.5 acres on Aqua Circle. The office will occupy the 8,000-square-foot building at 7416 Government Way formerly occupied by Foretravel Northwest, which moved to Liberty Lake.
Grant Forest, who succeeded his father, Jack, as company president, is positioning the facility to serve a wider range of customers, Schilling said.
The company’s mission statement reflects its expansion plans: “ … provide quality products, exceptional workmanship, courteous, reliable and quick service to achieve a reputation as an ideal place to entrust your livelihood as an employee, as a supplier, as a customer.”
Visibility to expand the market into the Spokane area is another reason for the move to the high-traffic location. An open house is planned Sept. 15. Phone 762-4766.
Programs for recreational gymnastics and cheerleading instruction are the focus of Dorsey’s Gymnastics, now open Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11307 Government Way in Hayden.
The business has grown from its origin as the Sandpoint Gymnastics Club. It will add after-school hours once school starts. Gymnastics programs include vault bar, beam and floor training.
Business owner Mary Dorsey, who moved to North Idaho from Arkansas in 1995, has 20 years of coaching experience. Instructors include her daughter, Suni Green, a gymnastics competitor for five years and coach for 12, and Scott Satterfield, who will coach a boys’ team. Call 762-9945.
Eisenhauer Family Produce has moved from Northwest Boulevard to 1842 Government Way (just south of Papa Murphy’s Pizza) in Coeur d’Alene. Opening this week, the 1,500-square-foot location has been decorated with a country look.
Fresh produce and specialty products are available 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. Owners are Joe and Patti Eisenhauer, who operate the store with their three teenagers.
Originally from Western Washington, the family came to North Idaho from Arizona. Call 676-9650.
Professional beauty supplies and equipment for businesses and the public are available at Sally Beauty Supply, now open near Albertson’s in Ironwood Square in Coeur d’Alene.
The company offers more than 5,000 professional products and tools, for hair, skin, lips, eyes and nails and tips for using them. A new product is the Sally magazine, which features articles on beauty and health. The Denton, Texas-based company has 2,200 stores worldwide.
Manager Leslie Kincade and associates Jannette Reiber and Sarah Bircher operate the store from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays, 9 to 7 Saturdays and 11 to 5 Sundays. Call 665-2445.
Best Automotive, a full-service automobile repair business, is now owned by Shay Cremer, who has owned adjoining Best Tire at 3020 Government Way for three years.
Cremer, 21, came from Caldwell, Idaho, to attend North Idaho College. He has five employees. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 8 to 4 Saturdays. Call 765-1914.