Sources: Columbia Machine, Inc., Vancouver, Wash.; CP staff
Columbia Machine will establish a regional support and manufacturing center after closing on the assets of Bikle Manufacturing, Inc., Smithsburg, Md., a big board machine mold repair and related services provider for Northeast block & paver producers.
“Our customers have been asking us to provide mold repair and parts support on the East Coast. We have been searching for the ideal location, capabilities, and people to bring this to fruition for a couple years,” says Columbia Machine CEO Rick Goode.
“Bikle’s location, expertise and nearly 50 years of manufacturing experience give us an optimum position in supporting our East Coast customers and expanding our North America coverage,” adds Director of Mold Sales and Engineering Kevin Gilchrist.
Columbia Machine is now able to stock standard unit masonry molds, perform repairs and create a regional hub to offer new molds from its global manufacturing network. The Maryland facility complements sister North American service centers at Vancouver headquarters, plus Ontario, Calif., Orlando, Fla., and Mississauga, Ont.