| Die is cast for these Slickers |
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By: By ERIN EDGEMON Business Editor
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Tim Slicker isn’t easily satisfied.
The West Point graduate is always on the lookout for his next challenge, evident in his work history, having worked three jobs in the last four years.
But the Murfreesboro resident has put everything on the line with the purchase of Cast Designs & Supply, a manufacturer of cast architectural products and crown molding.
“It will definitely be a challenge that will keep me occupied at least for a couple of years,” Slicker said.
Slicker believes there is a lot of potential in the company he bought from its founder Steve Lambers this year. He has set sales for 2008 at $1 million.
Slicker declined to disclose the financial terms of the sale, but said taking on the company was a “huge leap of faith.” His wife Kerry, who previously was a stay-at-home mother, had to go back to work fulltime.
“I have always wanted to own my own business,” he said. “I was really at the point where I thought I held the skills.”
Slicker is a former Army Captain who did a tour of duty in the current war in Iraq. He has served in executive positions at IFCO Systems, a Nashville manufacturer of wooden pallets; Gibson Guitar; and General Mills.
Before purchasing Cast Designs, Slicker had passively looked at purchasing a Middle Tennessee-based manufacturing company that produces a product with a nationwide marketplace for the last three years.
Cast Designs & Supply was founded in 1985 in Wheel — located between Lewisburg and Shelbyville.
The company is a self-proclaimed leader in cast architectural products due to its products being selected by discerning homebuyers, architects, interior designers and residential/commercial contractors across the country.
Slicker moved the manufacturing facility 55 miles east to rural Auburntown in Cannon County. He purchased a 25,000-square-foot building, a facility four times larger than the company’s previous building. The facility at 776 Poplar Bluff Road East (Highway 96) was previously occupied by the CDI Call Center but had been vacant for three years.
Besides the manufacturing space, the new facility houses a showroom and design center.
“I know everyone here was excited to see a new business move in,” said Donna Gunter, an Auburntown resident, who has served as office manager for Cast Designs since the first of September. “I am glad that it provides some jobs for this community. It is something that is greatly needed.”
Before accepting a position with Cast Designs, Gunter did temporary office and clerical work in Murfreesboro, a 30-minute drive from her home.
Cast Designs employs nine but hopes to double that number in the next year.
Slicker is working to improve the efficiency in the operation and shift the company to custom making 90 percent of its products.
Cast Designs’ products are cast from gypsum/plaster and reinforced with hemp fiber. The company’s specialized molds allow for ornate detail in the products.
The company’s portfolio consists of more than 100 products. They range from decorative and wall medallions and corbels and brackets to decorative fireplace mantels, niches and table bases.
“This is a product that in a time when a housing market is tight this is a time to buy our products to differentiate their homes from the rest,” Slicker said.
Most of its fixtures are used in custom homes priced at more than $1 million, but modest homeowners can use some of the products to add a touch of elegance to their homes.
Primary customers are custom homebuilders and interior designers. A fourth of the company’s sales come out of the Northeast.
These products can be found in many well-known governmental buildings, hotels and casinos including the Gold Strike Casino in Tunica, Miss. and the ballroom in the Opryland Hotel.
Erin Edgemon can be reached at 869-0812 and at eedgemon@murfreesboropost.com.
On the Web:
www.castdesignsupply.com
Cast Designs & Supply is celebrating its new facility and location at a grand opening Oct. 26, 2007. All interested construction and design trade professionals are invited to attend. Cast Design is located at 776 Poplar Bluff Road East (Highway 96).
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