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Antietam Iron Works | Fulton County Quick LinksAustin “Fred” Gunnell was tired of losing sales. For 20 years, he and co-owner wife Kathleen were able to manage projects at Antietam Iron Works successfully with part-time help from his sons. But they found themselves having to be increasingly selective. The company, which custom fabricates ornamental ironwork for gates, railings, fences, windows and stair cases, can also restore and reproduce historic ironwork, as well as provide blacksmithing, welding, and other fabricating services. The Gunnells began to limit work to mostly higher-end, custom projects to compensate. Antietam began turning away work and sales stayed consistent year to year. “I got tired of turning away customers. I knew I had to grow,” stated Gunnell. “There was so much work that I could have been doing if I had a larger, better-equipped shop and full time employees.” He and his wife looked at two areas of expansion – introducing a line of standard wrought iron fencing and accessories for commercial customers and providing a powder coating service which offers added protection against the elements. Almost all of the products Antietam Iron Works produces have to be powder coated; a process previously subcontracted to another company. By adding the powder coating service, Gunnell could not only add a potential revenue stream, but he could decrease the cost of producing his own products. Their expansion plans included relocating their business from their personal property in Waynesburg, PA into a 27,000 square foot facility in McConnellsburg, PA, renovating the new facility, and purchasing additional equipment. Taking on a project of this size made Fred nervous and he wasn’t sure where to start. With help from the Saint Francis SBDC and their local development partners, I finally had the confidence to take my business to the next level. The Fulton Industrial Development Association, which was selling the building, advised him to contact the Saint Francis University SBDC for help with his expansion. The SBDC worked with Fred to develop a comprehensive business plan and five year projected financial statements, also providing industry and target market research and financial feasibility analysis which Fred was able to pass on to a variety of lending institutions. Fred and Kathleen also knew that they needed to establish an online presence as part of their expansion. They worked with Kim Tweedy, Saint Francis SBDC’s Educational Programmer and Technology Associate, who educated them on techniques for developing an effective website, registering their domain name, and researching potential web hosting companies. Fred successfully secured financing for the expansion. Through the Saint Francis SBDC and the Fulton Industrial Development Association, he was referred to the Southern Alleghenies Planning & Development Commission and The Progress Fund, two organizations that loan money, traditionally below bank rates, to manufacturing firms. Those organizations supplemented his loan, providing the necessary funding for the expansion. “With help from the Saint Francis SBDC and their local development partners, I finally had the confidence to take my business to the next level.” Gunnell said of the experience. In fact, Fred recently hired an employee to assist him in the shop with his ironworking and anticipates hiring at least one more this year and six more employees over the next three years. The Gunnells are currently renovating the new facility that will eventually house the business as well as warehouse space and lease space for up to five prospective tenants. Antietam Ironworks will relocate into the new facility this Spring. |
