Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 133, Number 28, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 15 July 2010 — Page 3

Digger Specialties adds unique certification to resume

First in nation to achieve By Anita Munson Editor Digger Specialties, whose corporate home is in Bremen, is the first company in the United States to have earned an internationally recognized quality assurance certification for its architectural grade powder coatings process and products for fencing, railings and decking. The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) PCI 4000 certification places the Bremen company already known for its quality polyvinyl products in a position to be a leader in the industry that has produced impressive growth. The certification means that the company has attained internationally recognized standards, and it comes just in time for the fifth anniversary celebration of Digger Specialties' entry into the architectural grade powder-coated aluminum arena. The company scored an impressive 918 points out of a total of 1,080, needing only 725 in its audit to make the grade for the PCI 4000

DFS Award Photo provided During the annual Dollars For Scholars awards, the Louis Eby Memorial/INTerra Credit Union was presented to Courtney Franz (above).

Chambers’ Joint golf outing a success

Dozens of volunteers, donors and participants helped make the 2010 Wakarusa/Nappanee Joint Chamber Golf Outing a success, organizers said, in announcing winners named during the event. They include: First-place team: Elkhart Clinic Kevin Boyer, Drew Westafer, Derek Workman and T.J. Carpenter. Putting Contest, morning: Chris Pierl, Northern Indiana Public Service Co., first; Travis Luke, ADM Alliance, second; Hm Klotz, ADM Alliance, third; afternoon winners: Greg Jensen, Primtime RV, first; Todd Sheets, Kindig & Sloat, second, and Bart Marshall, Persing Tire & Lube Inc., third. Other winners were: Hole 1, longest putt, Charlie Zercher; Hole 3, closest second shot, Kurt Hand; Hole 5, long drive in fairway, Micah Kipfer; Hole 7, closest to the pin, Scott Pippenger; Hole 9, long drive in fairway, Dan Holden; Hole 11, closest second shot, Josh Sponagle; Hole 13, longest putt, Vince Fuchs; Hole 15,

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designation. Simply put, the coatings cm its aluminum products are durable, fade-resistant, and the manufacturing process ensures quality is built into each piece. The announcement and celebration was made public July 14 at die Bremen production facility on Destiny Drive. Corporate headquarters are just a little to the east, on U.S. 6. hr addition to die national achievement, company officials also announced the latest expansion for the company, coming in 2011, which will provide an estimated 25 additional skilled jobs for the area. Digger Specialties has had the rare pleasure of continued hiring over the past three years during a period when its aluminum products lines has doubled and the number of employees has risen from 50 to 100. Larry Boyts, vice president of sales and marketing, said last week in an interview at the headquarters that Larry Burkholder's contributions were invaluable. Burkholder is product and training manager and also brought with him a vast knowledge base in the powdered coatings field. Also invaluable has been Digger

long drive in fairway, Nathan Morrett, and Hole 17, longest putt, Tom Bendlak. Level one sponsors supporting the event were DalMar Catering, Goshen Health System, Guidance Wealth LLC, McCormick Motors, Nelson's, and Dr. and Mrs. Robert Abel. Level two sponsors were Ultilimaster Corp., Culligan; Level three, ATC Inc., Century Link, Community Hospital of Bremen, Edward Jones Investments, Interra

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Community

Academy Grads Photos provided Two area stuents graduated this year (with the Clnb of 2010) from the Culver Military Academy. They are Zach Deery (left) of Nappanee and Anthony Mitchell of Wakarusa.

Credit Union, Kindig & Sloat, OSMC, Persing Tire & Lube; Level four, Edward Jones Investments, Mike Sheetz; Level five, ADM Alliance Nutrition, Edward Jones Investments, Elkhart Clinic, Farm Bureau Insurance, Forrest River, J&N Stone, Jenkins Automotive, Kruggel Lawton & Co., Lake City Bank, Martin's Super Market, McCormick Motors, NIPSCO, Thompson, Lengacher, Yoder Funeral Home; Level six, Ist Source Bank, Physicians Health Plan,

Specialties' high level of customization in its designs, its innovative hidden locking system for which a patent is pending, and the ability to ship in an efficient manner to dealerships across the country. The company also offers warranties that meet or even exceed others in the industry. Lean manufacturing, commitment to a quality assurance program that includes regular testing by external agencies for unbiased evaluations against industry-recognized standards also are key factors in Diggers Specialties unique standing. The company's founder, Loren Graber, whose vision in 1984 when he opened the doors, was to fulfill the mission of manufacturing and selling "the highest quality vinyl fencing and related maintenance-free outdoor products possible," wasn't initially told of the AAMA achievement. Boyts and Burkholder planned the celebration before they told the boss. They wanted to tell him that his commitment to using the best materials, in the best "cutting edge" way, had paid off in more than just innovative design. It was, as the website (www.diggerspecialties.com) states, also the achievement of manufacturing excellence.

Livin' Lite.

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Advance News « Thursday, July 15,2010

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Photo by Anita Munson Digger Specialties in Bremen has become the first company in the nation to achieve an AAMA PC-4000 certification for its architectural grade powder-coated alumninum railings and entry gates. The certification is not only for the product line, but for the manufacturing process, as well.

Band Day at the Ind. State Fair is Aug. 6 INDIANAPOLIS "Band Day," a perennial favorite at the Indiana State Fair, is opening day, Aug. 6, at the fairgrounds. More than 50 high school bands will compete, beginning at 9 a.m., and culminating in the finals competition at 8 p.m. Conexus Indiana manufacturing and logistics initiative's 'Dream It. Do It.' career awareness campaign is the title sponsor for the competition. An estimated 5,000 participants are entered in this year's big event. Learn more about the DreamltDoltlndiana.com Band Day Competition and the rest of the 2010 Indiana State Fair schedule at www.lndianaStateFair.com.

Yoder-Stutzman Inc. Plumbing - Heating - Air Conditioning “Building Lasting Solutions”

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300 S. Nappanee St. Nappanee, IN 46550 License # PLCIOOOOIOI 574-773-7012