On the Edges

Nixa

Showcase Builders Supply expands

Showcase Builders Supply has completed its 15,000-square-foot addition at 1211 Eagle Crest St. in the Nixa Industrial Park, according to Chief Executive Officer David Reynolds. The company was formerly Star Fireplace Company. Vinyl and clad wood windows by Windsor and Horizon have been added to its line of gas fireplaces by FMI and Heat-N-Glo. The company hired six new employees for total employment of 15 people. Showcase Builders Supply serves the professional builder/contractor market in Springfield, Nixa and Ozark, but walk-in retail trade is welcomed.

The new showroom features 13 different gas log fireplaces on display. Builders Showcase Supply is open 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, Reynolds said. Signs reflecting the company's name change have not yet been installed.

New building for Knight Heating

Knight Heating and Air Conditioning moved into 8,500 square feet of its new building at 468 Tracker Road on Dec. 20, according to Dan Knight, owner of the business.

The first phase of the building encompasses 16,400 square feet. Knight's company has added three employees in the air conditioning area and has invested more than $100,000 in new sheet-metal machinery used to fabricate duct work. A computer-driven robotic plasma table can be used to cut everything from duct work to guttering and ornamental iron. Decorative metal fireplace screens with cut-out designs can be cut by the new piece of equipment, Knight said. "We're anxious to get more of that work done," he said.

Mold Doctor moves to larger building

A Nixa company that builds tooling for the rubber and automotive industry has expanded into a new, larger building in the Nixa Industrial Park. The Mold Doctor Inc. is owned by Dennis and Jill Doweidt, who started the business in 1996.

The new 10,000-square-foot building at 1052 Kathryn St. was built by Wayne Chevas of Ozark, Jill Doweidt said. The Mold Doctor, which formerly occupied 4,500 square feet at 720 W. Kathryn St., is working on building its own rubber injection machine with a new injection head. Doweidt said most presses are built in Europe, which makes them very expensive to import. The company has a patented silicone stuffer, a stand-alone unit that stuffs silicone into a press. The firm has added employees in the last three months.

Ozark

Chamber meetings planned for February

The Business Women's Network of the Ozark Area Chamber of Commerce will meet at noon Feb. 16 at Shoney's. The program, "Women in Japanese History," will be presented by Theresa Gallup of Kimono Designs.

Good Morning Ozark, set for 7 a.m. Feb. 24, will feature Stacey Schultz of the American Cancer Society discussing Relay for Life 2000. The meeting will also be held at Shoney's.

The chamber is now collecting donations from its members for the annual Chamber Auction, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. March 24 at Ozark High School. All donated items are due March 20.

Republic

Chamber plans Business Expo

The Republic Area Chamber of Commerce is organizing Business Expo 2000 to be held 4-7 p.m. March 30. The event will be held at the Republic High School cafeteria, 688 E. Hines. Booth space, including signs and a table, are available for $25, which is due March 7. Electricity for booths is available by request. For information, contact Christy Hermansen, executive director, 732-3356.