About

Since its beginning in 1986, Alum-Line has realized a steady growth in all aspects of its operation.

That growth continued last year as the Iowa firm reached $9.5 million in sales, a record year for the company.

To keep pace with the increased demand, Alum-Line has added additional manufacturing space 10 of the last 12 years to keep up with demand. Total "under roof" facilities are now at more than 90,000 square feet.

Alum-Line has its Corporate Headquarters on Highway 9 West in Cresco, Iowa, while Plant II is located in the Erickson Industrial Park, six blocks north of Highway 9. The firm also has a plant on Stock Avenue, about a block north of its headquarters building, and a shipping and receiving facility across the highway from the main office.

The increased sales of various Alum-Line products has been the result of adding more dealers. The total now surpasses 200 across the nation.

The company has also gone "online" for additional sales.

Owner Gary D. Gooder started the company in 1986 doing most of the work himself: building, marketing, and delivering tack boxes, hog panels, and pickup truck accessories.

Although the small livestock producers were the first key customer of Alum-Line, the company has diversified and has entered other areas of the marketplace. Some of those areas hold especially strong promise and include emergency and rescue bodies, auto trailers, contractor bodies and all types of tool boxes.

Alum-Line's market is so vast that almost anyone owning a truck or has something to haul is a potential customer. With their ability to customize, the product can be personalized to the customer's wants and needs.

A brief history of the firm's progression is as follows:

1986: Gary Gooder creates the Alum-Line name and the first products sold. They included tack boxes, hog panels, and pickup accessories. Employee number (1).

1987: A continuation of the company's first year with other products from other companies also marketed by Alum-Line. Start attending trade shows. Employee number (2).

1988: The first dealers are established and the first Alum-Line truck bed is built. Employee number (5).

1989: Alum-Line incorporates as its product line is expanded to include all types of custom aluminum products. Total sales reach $350,000 with the company building its first Alum-Line trailer. Employee number (9).

1990-93: Products are being improved; new and revised products are being added as the company realizes continued growth. A full line of trailers is now part of the product line. R & B Fabricators, located on Stock Avenue, has joined Alum-Line in expanding its trailer production. A new addition was added to the main plant as toolboxes continue to be a hot item.

1994: Sales have climbed to nearly $3 million as the company continues to grow. The site for Plant II has been purchased and the number of employees is now at 25.

1995: Spurred by increased sales in truck beds, Alum-Line again expands. This time the company starts construction of a new building at the Plant II site and also purchases R & B Fabricators and adds their employees to the growing list. Alum-Line now has 40 employees.

1996: The Company hits $4.8 million in sales and expansion for the immediate future is completed. The company now has 40,000 square feet under roof as the number of employees hit 50.

1997: A 4,000 square foot addition is added to Plant II for custom truck body and trailer production.

1998: A 2,000 square foot addition is added to the east side of Plant II for tool box production. Sales continue strong, reaching $5.2 million. The company now has over 150 dealers nation-wide. Total number of employees reaches 60.

1999: Purchase of storage buildings adds 7,300 square feet for much needed inventory and raw material storage. Complete remodeling of corporate offices begins.

2000: New record for total sales of $6.1 million. Over 100 percent growth in fire/rescue body sales. A new wash bay and transportation shop adds 4,800 square feet to plant II.

2001: New positions added to Alum-Line include: plant manager, accountant, and sales staff. Development of a much more in-depth web site.

2002-2003: Plant II receives it fifth addition and 2,640 square feet is added to increase custom truck body production. An additional 1,400 square foot building is added for axle storage. An executive assistant is hired to assist the owner. Total square footage is over 60,000. Total number of employees reach 66.

2004: Plant III expansion of 7,400 square feet is completed. This is the second largest expansion in company history. This addition will house the truck body and tool box manufacturing.

2005: Purchased a 8,000 square feet building to be used as a showroom and transportation office and shop. An additional five acres purchased for future expansion. The large lot will be used to display product and for dealer/customer pick up. Total sales for the year are $8.1 million.

2006: The Transportation facility and showroom are completed after extensive remodeling. This allows for servicing our own delivery trucks and an additonal location for truck bed installations. Total employment is 70 employees.

2007: Alum-Line purchased a 4000 square foot building next to plant III. After extensive remodeling, the building will provide additional manufacturing space for tool box production. The total number of employees is 80 and total sales for the year is $9.5 Million.

2008: A total redesign of our website is completed, and we have added an Operations Manager position.

Portions reprinted from Times Plain Dealer Progress Edition, March 31, 1999, Page 12