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This is Fred Ball for Zions Bank, speaking on business.
In 1976, Jerry Wursten of Logan had as he puts it, "a hankering" to create his own destiny. After 15 years working as a machinist, he arrived home from work one day and told his wife Audre that he was going to open his own machine shop. She didn't believe him. But Jerry persisted with his goal by taking some machining classes. He then went to the bank and got a loan.
Jerry's shop began as a small operation. He rented a garage on Logan's North Main Street and called the business Central Valley Machine & Ironworks. His equipment consisted of one lathe, a mill and a saw. To help keep the business afloat, Jerry worked other jobs. Audre helped in the shop by managing the books. And eventually, the business took off.
After five years, the Wurstens built a new shop and later added to that building. They worked continuously, all day and often nights too, gaining big-name clients along the way. Boeing, Thiokol, Autoliv, McDonnell Douglas, Iomega, Kimberly-ClarkÑthey're all just a few of the clients Central Valley Machine has served.
Today, the company is simply known as Central Valley Machine. The Wurstens manage it out of a new, multimillion-dollar computerized facility that spans 62,000 square feet. There are some 65 employees, including the Wurstens' three sonsÑBret, Brian and Brad. The growth of the company over the last 20 years has allowed it to expand to include departments specializing in welding, fabrication and inspection. Their main focus is to produce aerospace components, design and fabricate tooling, dies and specialty equipment. And in addition to the local and national companies it serves, Central Valley Machine also supplies spare airline parts for a few foreign and overseas companies.
In 1994, the U.S. Small Business Administration recognized the company as the Small Business Subcontractor of the Year for Region 8, consisting of eight western states. That award, along with the success they've earned, is the result of quality work, say the Wurstens, and wonderful employees.
For Zions Bank, I'm Fred Ball. I'm speaking on business
