Dexter businesses in high gear

DEXTER, Mo. -- In a period when large manufacturing businesses and factories are laying off employees, Dexter is seeing a jump in job offerings.

A new building for ArvinMeritor in Dexter opened in April 2004 and created 270 new jobs in the Southeast Missouri community.

ArvinMeritor, a manufacturer of mufflers and tailpipes, has rebounded with a roar from several years of ups and downs in the vehicle industry. Dexter city and industry leaders, state and federal officials were happy to announce the building opening, which included ArvinMeritor's expansion into the former Purolator building on Harris Drive.

The largest manufacturing employer in Dexter, ArvinMeritor has 880 workers, about as many employees as Tyson Foods.

Janet Coleman, executive director of the Dexter Chamber of Commerce, said the community is blessed with a diverse manufacturing base that includes U.S. Poly Enterprises, maker of sports and novelty bottles; Florida Marine Tanks, boating tanks; Doane Manufacturing, pet food; Elder Manufacturing, children's clothes; Gateway Shoes, Olsen Packaging and support industries that offer pallets, tool and machine services.

The ArvinMeritor expansion project saw an increase of 250 workers by its completion. To date, 23 more workers have been added to the payroll.

"The project involved the Chamber of Commerce purchasing the former Purolator Products facility," said Coleman, adding that 414 jobs were lost when Purolator shut down almost 10 years ago. "Local investors had purchased the building and were using it mainly for warehousing."

Coleman said many economic development organizations were involved in the ArvinMeritor project.

Dexter Mayor Joe Weber said rejuvenating the business, which opened in 1974, was "quite a feat in today's society when we see a lot of things going elsewhere."

Tom Frazier, who recently retired as site manager after 30 years, said the new facility is working two shifts, which allows more business to move into the main plant on Arvin Road.

The Dexter plant manufactures light-vehicle systems, and it does final-assembly business for General Motors. It also builds mufflers and muffler components for General Motors, Ford and Chrysler. It does past-model service for General Motors, Ford and Chrysler, and workers also produce parts for Harley-Davidson.

The Dexter plant is one of 120 operated by ArvinMeritor around the world.

In the retail arena, a Wal-Mart Supercenter is slated to open this month, adding another 250 jobs.

"We have already seen a spurt in retail inquiries for space in the soon-to-be vacated former Wal-Mart building," Coleman said. "It has already been purchased, and at least one tenant has been confirmed."

Coleman said plans have been announced for a complex of professional offices between the Dexter Bar-B-Que building and BA Promotions, which are on Business 60.