Tom Spika looks over the framework for his new manufacturing plant located just outside of Lewistown, Montana.

Tom Spika, '81 Northern alum and Metals Technology grad is President of Spika Welding and Manufacturing that is building a new 10,000 square foot, $800,000 manufacturing plant out of Lewistown, Montana. He has secured a $2.9 million contract with the Department of Defense to build platforms and will be asking the Lewistown City-County Planning Board for final approval of the subdivision. The new plant will triple the production area and will have room for corporate offices. "We're quite excited about it," Spika said. "I think it's going to be real good for our company and even more so, good for the community of Lewistown."

He already has a National Guard contract to build 30 maintenance stands that are designed to surround the Apache, Chinook, and Blackhawk helicopters and make it safe to work on the aircraft. A similar project for the Army, worth $20 million over five years, is also in the works. Spika also may propose a maintenance system for the Air Force's new jet fighter, the F- 22 Raptor. The new ramps would be designed to make them stronger, more durable and safer because they use compressed air to lock the platforms in place. They also adjust to fit the different sizes of helicopters.

Spika worked as a welder and production manager at HRD Inc. in Lewistown before starting his own company, Montana Aviary, in 1999, building bird cages. When he built a
 

new shop and contracted with Precision Lift, Inc. to build baskets that are used by helicopters to carry equipment, he had the catalyst to begin developing more industrial use products such as a system to wash fire trucks and other vehicles that enter wilderness areas to prevent the spread of noxious weeds and this grew into other uses for washing dangerous pathogens from boats. The company is also working with a Bozeman, Montana company called TechLink to manufacture carts that will safely hold oxygen and acetylene welding tanks, which can be found in airports around the country. They are a hazard the way they are currently contained and can explode as the valves get chipped. His company recently landed the license to mass produce the improved design and is ready to produce the first six carts. Word of mouth advertising already has brought him 60 more customers.

All this started when he and his wife Carol took over the family farm and ranch near Kolin, west of Lewistown. Hard times in agriculture with poor markets and hailstorms to boot, led him to rely on his degree in metals technology from Northern Montana College in Havre. He credits his small town business approach delivering customer service and a quality product for his success and "we've established ourselves as a credible source and a leader in the technology of how to do this in a responsible manner."

Needless to say, this has, and will continue to have, a big impact on the economy of the Lewistown area as the multi million dollar contracts turn over many times in the community. Spika's glad that he's been able to provide jobs for people who wanted to return to Lewistown. He also employs designers, marketers, managers as well as 16 welders. They hire skilled area workers and train them to specialize where needed. Spika believes that it is a homegrown business that is definitely sustainable and will continue to offer people a way to stay in the community. The original facility on the Kolin farm will remain with the new facility being built closer to Lewistown for easier access for transportation and for employees who won't have a daily commute to work.