Full: Two more firms come to SmartZone

By GARRETT NEESE, DMG Writer
HANCOCK — Two new tenants have moved into the Michigan Tech Enterprise Corporation SmartZone business incubator at Finlandia University’s Portage Campus in Hancock, filling all the available space.

The Wakefield-based Extreme Tool & Engineering, Inc. has opened a research and development center at the site, while Hawk Technologies Inc. has relocated to a larger space to expand its research, engineering and product design.

This was the first week in the building for Extreme Tool and Engineering. The business, which has traditionally focused on plastic-injection molding and tooling, would like to expand to product design and services.

The proximity to Michigan Technological University and Finlandia was a large factor in the decision to open a new branch, said senior product designer Nelson Sommerfeldt.

“We saw an opportunity to grow our business and expand from our core capabilities and really utilize a lot of what’s going on here,” he said. “The SmartZone was a no-brainer. You talk about doing an expansion, it’s extremely low-risk.”

Some workers are transferring to Hancock from the Wakefield headquarters. An additional full-time worker and two interns have also been hired.

Sommerfeldt said they hope to have 10 to 12 employees at the office within three years.

Hawk Technologies, which serves clients in aerospace, automotive, manufacturing and the military, had space on the Portage Campus’ third floor for three years. But at 2,200 square feet, their new fourth-floor facilities are about three times larger, said vice president of business development Jay Ruohonen.

“This really suited our needs very well,” he said.

Hawk Technologies, which grew out of Jay and president Dorothy Ruohonen’s home, now has eight employees. They hope to expand to 15 within three years.

Getting space through the SmartZone can be done at a more reasonable cost than elsewhere, Jay Ruohonen said. Being part of the SmartZone has other benefits as well, he said, including high-speed Internet access and advanced phones through Consistacom.

For the first time since its opening in 2005, the SmartZone’s space at the Portage Campus is completely filled.

Other recent SmartZone expansions include Consistacom, the LaSalle Technology Group, SWH Consulting and Up & Running Systems Services.

The SmartZone is looking to create another facility in the Houghton-Hancock area.



Garrett Neese can be reached at gneese@mininggazette.com