L&M Radiator, Inc. of Hibbing completed a $25 million expansion project of its manufacturing facility that resulted in 145,000 square feet of combined new and renovated space.

L&M Radiator is a third generation privately held, family-owned and managed business that began in Hibbing in 1957. It has been doing business in America for 62 years and has facilities in South Dakota, Mexico, Australia and Chile. L&M Radiator designs and manufactures heating and cooling systems for heavy off road and mobile equipment. Its primary customers are in the mining and oil and gas industries, and its products are shipped around the world. The company employs 217 people in Hibbing and over 500 employees worldwide. The company has an annual payroll of more than $8.5 million in Hibbing, and its recent annual sales have reached near $100 million.

Prior to the Hibbing expansion, L&M Radiator was manufacturing its products out of several buildings as well as leasing a building a few blocks from its property. The expansion entailed acquisition of land, demolition of a 1978 warehouse and of its metal fabrication building, and the addition of 95,000 new square feet in manufacturing, production, and research and development (R&D) lab space. By housing all of its operations under one roof, the company increased efficiencies and reduced overall costs. New key elements added include wind tunnels for R&D, a paint shop, ergonomically designed welding and production line work stations, a state-of-the art interior loading dock for trucks, and an employee hands-on technical training room.

L&M Radiator was a trailblazer on Minnesota’s Mesabi Iron Range, bringing a uniquely efficient radiator core to the area’s iron ore mining industry in 1957. Today, the MESABI® replaceable tube concept, first developed for engine cooling, has been applied by L&M Radiator to all types of heavy-duty equipment heat transfer. MESABI® heat exchangers are the world standard for heat transfer reliability.

“We are proud to be a ‘Made in the USA’ company,” said Laura Chisholm Ekholm, L&M Radiator executive vice president. “About 96% of our top 50 suppliers are based in the United States, and 45% of them are based in Minnesota.”

Some of L&M Radiator’s major customers include Komatsu, Liebherr, Sandvik, Epiroc, Caterpillar and Nabors. To manufacture its products for customers each year, L&M Radiator uses 4 million pounds of steel, 2.5 million pounds of copper, 260,000 pounds of aluminum and 250,000 pounds of brass.

L&M Radiator in Hibbing is now hiring for 23 positions in its tubing, painting, assembly, steel prep, machine shop and welding departments. View job openings at https://mesabi.com/employment/.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported this expansion project with commercial redevelopment and development infrastructure grants to the city of Hibbing. 

Itasca Community College (ICC) and three Itasca area school districts collaborated on a Career Pathways pilot program that provides high school courses and experiences to prepare students for occupations in the health care and manufacturing industries. Students at Greenway, Grand Rapids and Nashwauk-Keewatin high schools can gain valuable real-world skills through courses that are prerequisites for many post-secondary technical and health care programs.

The program was implemented in the 2017/2018 academic school year. The health care pathway is designed for students interested in professions such as a nurse, doctor, veterinarian or pharmacist. Click here to watch a video of the health care program. The manufacturing pathway is designed for students interested in professions such as an engineer, welder or machinist. Click here to watch a video of the manufacturing care program.

A student in the health care pathway takes courses such as Introduction to Health Care Careers, Biology, Medical Terminology, Human Anatomies, Introduction to Health Care Core Concepts and Nursing Assistant. A student in the manufacturing pathway takes courses such as Industrial Technology, Introduction to Manufacturing, Welding, Machining, Engineering, Computer Aided Drafting and Robotics.

Both the health care and manufacturing programs offer the potential for job shadowing and internships at area businesses including Grand Itasca Clinic & Hospital, Essentia Health, L&M Radiator, ISCO, Midwest Manufacturing, Detroit-Reman, Zakobe, Cast & Color, KMDA, ASV Holdings, Swan Machine, Dakota Fluid Power, and Rox Speed FX. Students earn course credits during internships.  

The input from regional industry leaders and educators is used to develop the courses and experiences. The curriculum addresses two fronts: (1) introducing career opportunities to students to prepare them for their future occupation and (2) developing the region’s future workforce to meet the specific needs of local industries.

“Career Pathways is an excellent example of how our region’s schools can partner with local industries to increase opportunities for both students and businesses,” said Claire Peterlin, Career Pathways coordinator. “At a time when regional and statewide industries are facing a workforce shortage, our program is launching students into careers that are in demand and connecting them to businesses that are hiring.”

According to Peterlin, Career Pathways is a trend both statewide and nationally. High schools are adjusting their focus to make students aware of not just traditional four-year university opportunities, but also two-year college degrees and certification options for skilled trades. In addition, students can earn college credits in a specific field at no charge while still in high school.

The program has provided students the opportunity to use advanced technology not typically found in high school settings. Grand Rapids added virtual reality units to its health care courses and a CNC router in the technology center. Nashwauk-Keewatin has a CNC mill similar to what is found in a local manufacturing business. ICC has injection simulators in the nursing lab and a process operations training skid.

Other pathways that may be added in the future include natural resources and agriculture, business, education, computer science and construction.

Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation supported this program with an “Iron Range School Collaboration: Innovative Academic Programming” grant. For more grant information email Whitney Ridlon or call her at 218-735-3004. Email Claire Peterlin for more information about Career Pathways.

East Range Joint Powers Board recently updated its website as part of the Iron Range Blandin Broadband Communities program (BBC). The Joint Powers Board encompasses the communities of Aurora, Hoyt Lakes, Biwabik and Town of White. The enhanced website is a centralized online resource for the four communities and has a section dedicated to raise awareness of broadband opportunities on the East Range.

The Joint Powers Board is also leading several other broadband projects including:

• East Range Portable Training Lab: Will provide computer/technology training to individuals and groups in the East Range communities. The portable lab and training will be conducted in spaces such as libraries, community centers, senior centers and town halls.
• East Range Business Retention and Expansion Visits: Will solicit the input of East Range businesses on their broadband access needs that impact economic competitiveness and workforce recruitment.
• East Range Public Wi-Fi: Will add or expand Wi-Fi access at three public locations: Biwabik city hall/park/pavilion complex, Hoyt Lakes public library and Aurora public library.

The BBC is designed to advance broadband in rural Minnesota communities which is critical to economic development, education, workforce, healthcare and quality of life. The participating communities have access to technical expertise, planning assistance and an opportunity to obtain financial resources to implement their broadband initiatives. BBC is a collaboration between Blandin Foundation, St. Louis County and Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation.

An interactive fundraising workshop and panel discussion for small and mid-size nonprofits is set for Tuesday, Oct. 22 at the Mountain Iron Community Center from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

The workshop will be led by Jerritt Johnston of True North Consultants, which specializes in organizational performance and growth for nonprofits, for-profits and government agencies.

Key concepts to be covered in the workshop include: 

• Tips for building relationships with potential donors.
• Strategies to engage everyone in the organization.
• Identify roadblocks to individuals and organizations.
• Individual reflection on strengths and areas for growth.
• Practice implementing a fundraising template.

Light refreshments will be served. 

To register, contact Sara at 218-735-3020 or sara.ferkul@state.mn.us. Please leave your name, organization, phone number and email.

The workshop is sponsored by True North Consultants and Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation. 

Deputy Commissioner Jason Metsa and agency staff will be "on the move" in Gilbert on Tuesday, Sept. 24, the latest stop in a series of community visits and listening sessions.

They will tour business and community development projects, followed by a 2:30 p.m. listening session at Nick's Bar, which is open to the public. Everyone is welcome!