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Business Monthly - MtlWrx booms through pandemic and beyond
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Pictured are MtlWrx employees outside the building at 274 Smartt Station Road. The company has a workforce of 28, which is an increase of 180% from this time last year.
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Mtlwrx owner Jeremy Kliewer holds two precision fabricated parts made at his growing company.

Jeremy Kliewer came out of the service and found employment at Metal Products in McMinnville.  Over a period of years, he learned the fabricating business inside and out.   He subsequently started MtlWrx at 274 Smartt Station Road in Morrison, a 7,500-square-foot plant, in 2010.  

The recent big news for MtlWrx was the 2021 purchase of the 27,000-square-foot ex-Cooper Manufacturing plant right behind it. While this offers many advantages going forward, the Cooper plant required extensive renovation – electrical, water, etc. That renovation is not over, but has allowed moving part of their operation into the larger plant.  

What is MtlWrx? It is a high-end contract manufacturer and/or “job shop” which makes components on an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) basis for several other manufacturers. Jeremy got into the medical components market during the pandemic years, and it now is 40% of his total business.  

The field for MtlWrx is the machining or fabrication of metal. MtlWrx can approach most metalworking or metalforming applications in-house with its broad range of equipment. Metals most commonly dealt with include aluminum, stainless steel, and all kinds of steel.  

Current headcount at MtlWrx is 28, up from 10 one year ago. Jeremy expects a workforce of 40 to 50 one year from now. The company has 10 CNC machines currently with nine operators running two shifts five days a week.  

Saturday is set aside as an overtime day as needed. Operating hours are from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. They have two horizontal machining centers and seven vertical machining centers.  They have one CNC lathe. They have Haas CNC controls and Fanuc CNC controls.   

Their headcount growth is a combination of more business and moving into the Cooper plant – more space. The company invites interested candidates to work there to come on-site for an interview and fill out an employment application. Jeremy reports that existing employees have aided recruiting greatly for the company. The company looks for three skill sets – being teachable, being team-oriented, and getting along with others. 

Why should someone want to work there? MtlWrx features a small family atmosphere where team building is engrained into their operations. MtlWrx offers good benefits and employee flexibility.

About 70% of MtlWrx business is within Warren County. Important OEM customers include Accu-Router, Morrison Industries, and Wilson Cutting Systems. All three of these customers are busy, which favors MtlWrx.  

MtlWrx utilizes a unique card tracking system to document and closely monitor work-in-process flow across its plants. This allows accuracy with delivery advisories to customers. They advocate being honest with their customers.  Customer service is their calling card.  

They will carry finished inventory for existing customers with repeat needs. Their average lead time is three to four weeks. They have endured supply chain challenges, especially with raw materials. Now, let’s look at the capabilities list for the company.



CNC Machining

• Vertical machining

• Horizontal machining

• Turning/ lathe machining

• 3, 4, and 5 axis machining

• 3D Contouring

• Wireless Probing for faster setups and to maintain tool accuracy


Fabrication

• CNC Laser Cutting

• CNC Press Brake

• Pem Machine

• CNC Plasma Cut

• MIG, TIG, and Stick Welding

• CNC Part Etching of part numbers/identification


Finishing

• Powder Paint

• TCP-HF (Replaces Yellow Alodine)

• Timesaver

• Milled finish

• Blasted Media

• Vibratory

• Heat Treat

• Wet Paint


Support Services

• Solid Works

• Solid Edge

• Fusion 360

• Degreed Mechanical Engineering


Surface Grinding

• 8 RMS and higher


CNC Horizontal Saw

• CNC Auto Feed

• Saw up to 12” in diameter


Quality Assurance

• CMM Inspection

• Statistical process control charts used

• QMS complies with ISO9001 and AS9100


This is a most comprehensive list of capabilities across metalworking and metalforming.  Jeremy collaborated with Metal Products while they were in operation. Once they elected to close, MtlWrx did purchase a lot of their equipment and processes.  

Mtlwrx was one of eight industry partners with the successful TCAT $1 million GIVE Grant of three years ago to build a Machine Shop Technology program as a dual enrollment course at Warren County High School. WCHS now has the finest program of its type in the state of Tennessee.  

Jeremy has hired seven graduates of TCAT from the Welding Program and Machine Shop Technology. The company banner flies at the WCHS classroom for Machine Shop Technology.

It is exciting for BRAC to recognize a homegrown success story. To witness a local firm which doubled in size during the pandemic is a tribute to Jeremy Kliewer and his MtlWrx team. We wish for much success in the future.

Business Pulse- New antique store sets down roots
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You have likely noticed the change of byline on this page and, to provide an introduction about myself, I am a Warren County native and you or someone you know probably played baseball with my dad or worked with him over the years at Oster — which seems to be at least half of Warren County given I meet someone who knows him everywhere I go. It isn’t a bad thing, though; it’s actually nice to know our city, for its near-40,000 population, has never really lost its small-town feel.

I have been with the Southern Standard for almost eight years and worn a lot of hats, newest of all the role of primary reporter. While I am in no way new to this newspaper, I am new to penning this section. I have been covering city news for the better part of two years now, and I look forward to providing our readership with glimpses into the local businesses of our wonderful community we call home.

New Life for Antiques

One of the newest businesses to find its roots in Warren County opened at the beginning of the month. Those searching for an antique or unique piece with character and a story to tell can look no further than Old Oak Mercantile.

Owner and operator Sarah Blair is native to Warren County and has always held an appreciation for antiques, an interest which goes all the way back to her childhood. Niece to the late Iris Walker who owned an antique store for decades, Blair was introduced to the concept of giving old pieces new life from an early age.

A browse through Old Oak will reveal a wide variety of housewares, ranging from lamps and other tabletop fixtures to wall hangings, dishes and pottery. Blair keeps just a hint of modern in her offerings, but focuses most of her attention on the nostalgic and charming furnishings of yesteryear.

“We’re an antique store, vintage store and home of modern treasure all in one,” Blair explained. “History has always been my favorite and every little piece holds a story. I love meeting people and sourcing unique pieces from estate sales or wherever else I can find them.”

Blair indicated she had not set out to start an antique store just yet, but it was something she always wanted to do and the perfect opportunity landed in her lap upon discovering the store’s 110 N Spring Street location, situated in the building which once housed Kimmi’s Tea Room. The stars aligned and Blair jumped on the opportunity to share her affinity for antiques with the community and make her dream a reality.

“We were originally going to take over for The Rustic Daisy when it closed, but that didn’t happen and we found out about this location,” Blair said. “We downsized and it’s been working out really well for us here.”

Old Oak Mercantile is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is closed Sunday and Monday. Blair announces specials on the store’s Facebook page, which is regularly updated.

Barr’s Still Raising the Bar

A sustaining part of McMinnville’s small businesses and a name known to most anyone, Barr’s Fine Home Furnishings Inc. at 643 Beersheba Hwy. continues to thrive after 61 years in business. The late Earl Barr started the retailer in 1963 after spending three years in the Army and married his wife, Hazel, a year later. From there, the couple went on to create a business which would become a household name in the community — and for good reason. Hazel, son Mark and daughter-in-law Kim work together to continually provide their customers with the highest quality furniture and customer service possible.

“We are always committed to supporting our customers, even after the sale,” Hazel said of the company’s commitment to those who place their trust in the Barrs when purchasing from them.

Barr’s Furniture features well-established and high-quality brands such as La-Z-Boy, Sealy, England, Jackson, Hooker and Catnapper. Newest to the roster is Vaughan-Bassett bedroom furniture, which is 100% American-made. Vaughan-Bassett has been crafting furniture for over 100 years and is based in Galax, Virginia.

“Our focus has been to offer higher-quality furnishings at an affordable price,” Mark said of the company’s goal. “We believe in carrying as many things as possible that are truly American-made. In addition, La-Z-Boy, Catnapper and Jackson are made here in Tennessee.”

Mark continued, “We choose brands for their quality, reliability and their willingness to stand behind their products. Currently, we are working to expand our offerings from Vaughan-Bassett and get more American-made products and less imports.”

The Barrs and their dedicated staff promise great attention to their customers, offering prompt and free local delivery on items purchased from their store. Currently, select items in their inventory are as much as 30% off in order to create room for new pieces.

Barr’s Fine Home Furnishings Inc. is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and is closed on Sundays. The store can be reached at (931) 473-3536 or barsfurniture.com and has an active Facebook page where sales and new items are often announced.

If you have a business — new or old — you would like to have featured, you are welcome to email me at nchilders@southernstandard.com. I look forward to meeting you!