Weiers put dream into reality after developing comprehensive plan

By Charlie Mathews, Herald Times Reporter

MANITOWOC — PDJ Cutting and Fabricating is a new family business, including a 9-year-old elementary school student.

"You are part of this, too … you're the 'J,'" Deanne Weier told her son, Jarrett, who'll be going into fourth grade in September at Franklin Elementary.

"Jarrett is our jack of all trades, helping to clean up, take photos for our Web site," said Deanne of her and her husband Pat's metal cutting and fabricating job shop in the "Plant 3" building, 2402 Franklin St.
The Weiers are renting about 1,500 square feet on the first floor of the former Mirro building owned by Robert Jagemann.

The 60,000-square-foot building, about one-quarter occupied, also is the rehearsal home of the Peter Quince Performing Company, Atomic Production Services and has warehouse used by Masquers and others.
At this point, the Weiers' month-old business is focused on acquiring short-run business to take advantage of Pat's design skills.

"What I can do with my eyes closed is CAD work," he says of developing computerized dimensions for clients seeking product design templates. He has an associate degree in mechanical design from Lakeshore Technical College and has 15 years experience in the field.

On Wednesday, he demonstrated the cutting ability of their Torchmate CNC Cutting System.

"What comes out of the torch is superheated air and anything that conducts electricity can be cut on a plasma cutter," Weier said, including, with their system, 3/8-inch aluminum and stainless steel and half-inch mild steel.

The cutting includes three primary components: a computer with appropriate design software to program the cut, a CNC (computer numerically controlled) table which holds the metal sheet (up to 5-by-10-feet) and manipulates the third component, the torch.

Actually, plasma cutting is a more than a half-century old technology. Engineers figured out they could boost temperatures by speeding up the flow of gas and shrinking the release hole.

The high temperatures created by the torch enable it to work like a saw, cutting through metals like a hot knife through butter. Intricate and precise cuts can be made in a matter of minutes.

Business plan essential

The Weiers' company slogan is "Custom solutions from 1 to 1,000" symbolizing their focus on custom-made brackets, plates and other metal components.

They also can cut simple parts, complicated designs, logos, letters, numbers or any other pattern their client desires.

On Wednesday, Jarrett was hoping his father would cut the fighter plane design he had on his computer screen.

"I have wanted to own my own business for 10 years and I know we can do it," Pat Weier said. "We have two diverse backgrounds … I'm hands-on and Deanne brings the marketing expertise."

With an associate degree in nursing from LTC, Deanne is a nurse manager at Shady Lane. Deanne isn't leaving her day job anytime soon. "I really like helping the (seniors) at Shady Lane," she said.
Before they opened the business they completed the "E-Seed" course offered to prospective entrepreneurs by the Economic Development Corporation of Manitowoc County.

"I can't imagine anyone going into business without a comprehensive business plan," Deanne said of the end result of 10 weeks of course work including research and planning into revenue opportunities, expenses, marketing, competition, regulatory matters and other issues.

"We had a lot of sleepless nights … but it was a good worry," Pat said of doing their homework before making the jump into their own business.

They believe their low overhead will continue to be attractive to companies like Manitowoc Crane, Miller Implement, Tower Tech and others in jobbing out short, specialized runs.

Going through the E-Seed course also convinced the Weiers to think local whenever possible when it comes to finding partners to subcontract work to that is beyond their current capabilities to hiring an accountant, parts painting and trucking firms.

The Weiers worked with Shoreline Credit Union and the Small Business Administration to acquire the capital necessary for their equipment and operations.

They recently spoke at a business seminar sponsored by U.S. Rep. Tom Petri at Lakeshore Technical College discussing how their fledgling business was able to take advantage of federal programs.

The next 10-week E-Seed course will begin on Sept. 16, with sessions from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday evenings at the EDC's offices, 202 N. Eighth St., Manitowoc. Call (920) 482-0540 for more information.

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