Michigan tool and die shop opens up new facility in thumb

Small tooling companies diversifying away from automotive isn't uncommon. These include military, aerospace, and energy to name a few.

But one mid-Michigan shop has remained busy with niche industries including, not only the aforementioned sectors but machining tools and equipment for farmers too.

Beard Tool & Die opens its doors in Tuscola Township

TUSCOLA TOWNSHIP — While many small businesses are struggling to stay afloat in turbulent economic waters, one Vassar shop is finding its niche and doing just fine.

Beard Tool & Die opened for business in early September in the Tuscola Township building formerly occupied by D&J Tool & Die just outside the city limits on South Cottrell Road.

When word of a new machine shop opening got around, shop manager Lenny Huyghe was swamped with job-seekers.

“200 people came in and put in applications,” Huyghe said.

Currently, Beard employs nine full-time employees as well as two part-time positions. Huyghe said the company, which does prototype machining and basic general machining for 12 companies and individual customers, has plans to add a second shift in the near future.

Beard is owned by Larry Beard of Metamora, and has been in existence in other locations for 10 years. The shop operated for four years in Lapeer, and another six in Millington.

Tom Huyghe purchased the Vassar area building at a foreclosure auction in June. The property had been vacant for seven years following the closure of D&J Tool in 2002.

The purchase of the building was a coup for both the township and for the company, which had rented its previous location for $2,800 a month.

The building itself was worn down from years of sitting empty, but the roof had been replaced in the early 2000s. The Huyghes painted, rewired and fixed up the building to make it work ready. They plan to add more storage by building a pole barn on the property.

Huyghe said that Beard tries to keep its money in the area, purchasing tools from Iwen Tool Supply in Bridgeport and working with Astech, Inc. of Scotch Road, which Huyghe referred to as a “long-term, good customer.”

Vassar-area residents employed by Beard include brothers Tom, Scott and Lenny Huyghe, Nick Fisher, Codi Radick, Chris Huyghe, Joe Huyghe, Larry Middleton and Tim Korpi.

In addition to servicing several companies in the area, Huyghe said the company has also machined new parts for local farmers.

Beard Tool & Die is open from 6 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For information, contact Lenny Huyghe at (989) 705-4128.