Machining startup cuts ribbon on Knox facility
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A new machining business in Starke County is now open after cutting the ribbon this week on its new facility in the Knox Industrial Park. Wakal Machining LLC was founded by veteran tool and die maker Bill Wakal and his wife, Sherry.
The company broke ground on the facility at 205 Kloeckner Drive in May. The facility will be used to fabricate new parts and repair existing equipment and parts for local and regional clients in the manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, farming and construction industries.
Bill Wakal said the nearest machining shop that provides the same service is an hour and a half away.
“We chose to start our business in Knox because we saw a need for a machine shop in Starke County,” Wakal said in a news release. “The Knox Industrial Park is an ideal location because of the proximity to many of our clients, which will help us to better serve their needs.”
Wakal said the company’s client base is farmers and any business that has a maintenance department. He said he hopes to serve Valparaiso, LaPorte, Walkerton, Plymouth, Culver, Winamac, and surrounding areas initially and branch out further into northern Indiana and beyond as the company grows.
The company currently has just two employees but hopes to double its workforce by next year.
Wakal said future expansion plans include working with the North Central Careers and Technical Education Cooperative to hire graduates from the vocational program at local schools who go on to complete the precision machine program at Ivy Tech Community College.
“[Wakal’s] long-term plans will also create career opportunities for local students and encourage them to remain in Starke County after they graduate,” said Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Lisa Dan. “That is so important to our county as we continue to strengthen our niche as a best-of-both worlds destination in proximity to Chicago, South Bend and Indianapolis with an affordable cost of living, unmatched natural resources, and friendly and welcoming communities.”