Published: August 8, 2009

McMinnville company's expansion means 35 more local jobs

By YVETTE SAARINEN

Of the News-Register

Zieman Manufacturing, which produces parts for manufactured housing, travel trailers, modular units and the cargo industry at 150 Booth Bend Road in McMinnville, is in the process of expanding its workforce to include 35 new jobs, according to General Manager Mike Oden.

The company currently has 68 full-time employees, Oden said.

"The ability to grow our McMinnville facility made sense as we looked at how to better serve our customers," Oden said.

He said the McMinnville plant currently produces chassis for the RV and manufactured housing industry. The expansion will be in manpower only, using the existing facility. It will allow the production line to include recreational vehicle and utility trailer axles.

Zieman Manufacturing has been in production in McMinnville since 1969. It was recruited as part of the "9 in '69" campaign led by McMinnville Industrial Promotions.

"Zieman Manufacturing is a good company with a strong history," said McMinnville Economic Development Partnership Director Jody Christensen. "We worked closely with the WorkSource Oregon Yamhill Center to create an attractive workforce incentive package which included considerable stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act administered by the Enterprise for Employment and Education."

Zieman management is developing job announcements with WorkSource Oregon Yamhill Center. The new positions will be entry-level with significant on-the-job training for new and current employees. Job seekers may apply through the iMatchskills system at the WorkSource Oregon Yamhill Center located at 370 N.E. Norton Lane, McMinnville.

"This is stimulus money at work in the McMinnville community," said McMinnville Mayor Rick Olson. "It's great to see the money helping one of our local companies expand."

No applications will be accepted at Zieman, Oden said. To learn about how to apply for the job openings, contact WorkSource Oregon Yamhill Center at 503-472-5118.

The center is one of the service providers for the Enterprise for Employment and Education. Together, they work with jobseekers and employers to address the current and future workforce needs of Yamhill Marion and Polk counties, said Executive Director Pat Grose.

The Enterprise, the local Workforce Investment Act board, manages more than $4.5 million in WIA funds and is administering more than $4.3 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Grose said.

For more information, call Grose at 1-503-581-4505.

Zieman is a subsidiary of Lippert Components, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Drew Industries Inc. All of the subsidiaries supply a broad array of components for RVs, manufactured homes and specialty trailers including steel chassis, chassis components, RV slide-out mechanisms and solutions, manual, electric, and hydraulic stabilizer and lifting systems, entry and baggage doors, axles and suspension solutions, toy hauler ramp doors, furniture and mattresses, entry steps, and other towable accessories. Lippert and Zieman also manufacture specialty trailers for hauling boats, personal watercraft, snowmobiles and equipment, as well as axles for specialty trailers.

MEDP is a one-stop business development office working on numerous industrial recruitment, retention and expansion projects. The partnership includes the City of McMinnville, McMinnville Water & Light, McMinnville Industrial Promotions, McMinnville Area Chamber of Commerce, Yamhill County and area businesses. MEDP works closely with regional partners, including Chemeketa Community College, Enterprise for Employment and Education and the WorkSource Oregon Yamhill Center.

To learn more about the resources offered by the MEDP, contact Christensen at 503-474-0544 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .