Watson Metal joined by Nixon for Republic groundbreaking

Watson Metal Masters Inc. officials were joined this morning by Gov. Jay Nixon for a groundbreaking ceremony at its new multimillion-dollar digs in Republic.

The custom fabricator of stainless steel and nickel alloy tanks and vessels is building a $4.8 million shop for its scheduled move to Republic from Nixa. The expansion is expected to create 77 jobs, adding to Watson Metal's employee count of around 43.

The ceremony was held at the Brookline Business Park, where Watson Metal purchased 11 acres for its 63,000-square-foot production plant. The company expects to relocate to the facility in late summer.

“We have outgrown our current location, and we’re at 130 percent capacity with over six months backlog,” Watson Metal owner and President Bill Schahuber said in a news release. “Our new facility will allow us to meet our demand and better serve our rapidly growing client base.”

Under the development plan, Watson Metal was approved for local and state incentives by the city of Republic and through the state’s Missouri Works program. For 10 years, Republic is abating half of the property taxes, and for the first six years, Missouri is waiving the employee withholding tax – moves Schahuber has said will save Watson Metal some $370,000, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.

Nixon's office cited three other stainless steel manufacturers who announced growth plans since the governor took office. Paul Mueller Co. (OTC: MUEL) announced plans to expand its headquarters in 2011, investing $600,000 and creating 289 jobs during a three-year period; last year, Tank Components Industries moved into a new 81,000-square-foot facility in Partnership Industrial Center West and announced it would hire 27 additional people; and most recently, Stainless Technology made plans to hire 88 and expand its facility in PIC.