Freeport Manufacturing Business Celebrates 30 Years

by Jonathan Weaver

A family-owned small precision manufacturing business in Freeport is celebrating 30 years of Armstrong County business.

Boyle Inc. of Laneville, was started in 1985 by company President Jim Boyle – who had more than 20 years of manufacturing experience across the world before opening his own business.

“It was fun, I learned a lot, but I wanted something for my own,” Jim said. “I enjoy it. I’d do it again.”

The company works primarily out of a Main Street shop along the Butler-Freeport Trail that was originally home to Freeport Trucking School and JV Manufacturing (now in Natrona Heights).

While many similar precision shops located in “Carbide Valley” have closed or consolidated with others in that time, Operational Consultant Dan Boyle – Jim’s son – said Boyle Inc’s diversified, yet specialized training and service have kept the business strong, with business-to-business customers worldwide and in several sectors, whether it be electrical or consumer goods.

“Our products help produce the products for a lot of different industries,” Dan said. “We really don’t have one story that we focus on – our story is precision. We’re making parts to the tens of the thousandths of the inch.

“Freeport makes and the world takes.”

Because of that commitment to accuracy, the more-than-dozen employees work in a controlled 72-degree Fahrenheit environment and wire used to help manufacture carbide dies or stamps are scrap recycled than reused

Parts take anywhere from hours to weeks of manufacturing.

“Any small, metal component, we try to have a role to play and help in the production of those,” Dan said. “Every part or component we get for our customers is all custom.”

Doug Nulph, of Natrona Heights, started with apprenticeships in the shop and is now one of the most-senior employees providing quotations.

He said Boyle’s commitment to family stands out among the larger manufacturing companies – especially being a father to two sons.

“Jim has always treated us all like family,” Nulph said. “If my kid’s home sick and I have to go home to be with him, it’s never an issue. If I need time off, its never an issue. If I need the shirt off his back, he’ll give it to me.

“You’re a person when you work here – that’s what’s kept me here for 26-27 years.”

Bob Fleeger, of Worthington, graduated with skills in the trade from Lenape Tech before nearly 32 years in the machining industry – 10 years at Boyle Inc.

Fleeger, who’s engaged to be married and will become a step-father, was working on a part at the grinder Tuesday afternoon that will require several hours of oversight and inspection.

“Some of them, you can look and have no clue what it does, but some, I know what the company is and I know what they make,” Fleeger said.

The Laneville company also rents a warehouse in downtown Freeport.