Local News
Life after the Powerhouse
GS Engineering opens facilityBy JANE NORDBERG, DMG Writer
POSTED: June 20, 2008
HOUGHTON — Representatives from Michigan Technological University, local municipalities, the Michigan Tech Enterprise SmartZone and others gathered Thursday to celebrate the opening of GS Engineering’s new facility in Houghton.
Begun in 2001, the company provides engineering services, research and development, prototype development and testing for military vehicle structures and systems.
Over the last seven years, the company has grown from three employees to 39, prompting the expansion of the company from an office in the Houghton City Centre, followed by space at the SmartZone Powerhouse incubator, and now to its current purpose-built structure at Pilgrim Terrace.
“Our growth would not have been possible without the collaboration with the SmartZone, the city of Houghton, the Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance, MTU and the (Michigan Economic Development Corporation),” GS Engineering President Glen Simula told the crowd of about 80 people.
MTEC SmartZone representative Jon Leinonen said the company “demonstrates passion and works hard to establish trust between its employees and its business partners.”
GS Director of Engineering Chris Coxon called his employer a “very personal company” that was founded on the principles of mechanical engineering design and analysis.
“We can predict failures and fatigue and predict how it’s going to impact the industry,” he said. “We can test them in-field, and we strive to design using local resources.”
Coxon credited Simula with procuring and retaining a productive and motivated work force.
“Glen has figured out a way to make the company stabile and yet also agile, and makes the working environment fun for his employees,” Coxon said. “As we move forward, I’d like to thank Glen for his energy and vision but also all of the employees; each one of them has a passion which is built into everything we do.”
For more information, contact Simula at glen.simula@gsengineering.com
Jane Nordberg can be reached at jnordberg@mininggazette.com
Begun in 2001, the company provides engineering services, research and development, prototype development and testing for military vehicle structures and systems.
Over the last seven years, the company has grown from three employees to 39, prompting the expansion of the company from an office in the Houghton City Centre, followed by space at the SmartZone Powerhouse incubator, and now to its current purpose-built structure at Pilgrim Terrace.
“Our growth would not have been possible without the collaboration with the SmartZone, the city of Houghton, the Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance, MTU and the (Michigan Economic Development Corporation),” GS Engineering President Glen Simula told the crowd of about 80 people.
MTEC SmartZone representative Jon Leinonen said the company “demonstrates passion and works hard to establish trust between its employees and its business partners.”
GS Director of Engineering Chris Coxon called his employer a “very personal company” that was founded on the principles of mechanical engineering design and analysis.
“We can predict failures and fatigue and predict how it’s going to impact the industry,” he said. “We can test them in-field, and we strive to design using local resources.”
Coxon credited Simula with procuring and retaining a productive and motivated work force.
“Glen has figured out a way to make the company stabile and yet also agile, and makes the working environment fun for his employees,” Coxon said. “As we move forward, I’d like to thank Glen for his energy and vision but also all of the employees; each one of them has a passion which is built into everything we do.”
For more information, contact Simula at glen.simula@gsengineering.com
Jane Nordberg can be reached at jnordberg@mininggazette.com
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