Columbia Machine Works recently commissioned a new machine, the largest capital investment in the company’s 95-year history, and will help expand the company’s operations.
The new machine, the TOS Varnsdorf CNC horizontal boring mill ($3 million investment), provides the business with enhanced processing capabilities, increasing its ability to meet the needs of customers in the industrial service and contract manufacturing sectors.
Columbia Machine Works, an industrial equipment repair, refurbishment and support business, is a family business that has been operating in Colombia since 1927. The company has one of the largest CNC machine shops in the Southeastern United States, as well as a large manufacturing facility well equipped for heavy metal fabrication.
The mayors noted the importance of the Columbia Machine Works to manufacturing in Murray County. Also in attendance were Columbia City Manager Tony Massey and Vice Mayor-elect Randy McBroom.
Columbia Machine Works Vice President Jake Langsdon IV called the addition of the new machine a “game changer” for the company.
“We are also no longer limited by our load capacity, so we can handle just about anything we can fit into our buildings,” Langsdon said. “The new machines with the latest technology have also significantly reduced the processing time, thereby providing a better service to our customers.
“This is one of the largest machines of its kind in Tennessee, if not the largest, especially for a ‘tool shop’ like ours.”
Columbia Machine Works’ business expansion is in line with growing trends in the Columbia manufacturing environment.
According to think tank SmartAsset, Murray County became Tennessee’s leading manufacturing center by capital investment in 2020 with the opening of the new headquarters of tortilla maker JC Ford and outdoor products leader Fiberon. Meanwhile, incumbent auto giants such as General Motors Spring Hill have invested nearly $5 billion over the past two years to expand their new Lyriq electric SUV, which is powered by batteries made by South Korean company Ultium Cells.
“I would say production in Columbia and Murray County has never been the same as we see companies like JC Ford and Fiberon come in and companies like Mersen do a major upgrade of the old Union Carbide plant at Columbia Powerful.” , Langsdon said.
“This has been a great benefit for our company and we see ourselves as a business that can play a role in bringing these companies to our city because we can do all of their maintenance and contract manufacturing work. We have had the privilege of calling JC Ford, Mersen, Documotion and many of our other customers.”
Founded in 1927 by John C. Langsdon Sr., Columbia Machine Works has grown to become one of the largest manufacturing plants in the United States. The company currently has 75 employees and its main services include CNC machining, metal fabrication and industrial service.