Southwest Manufacturing News • March 2024 • Four Companies Join to Form Caldera Manufacturing Group

In partnership with Lorraine Capital, four U.S.-based industrial manufacturing companies—Summit Steel & Manufacturing, Inc., Fairlawn Tool, Inc., Laser Specialties, Inc. and Summit Storage Solutions—announced the formation of Caldera Manufacturing Group, a new manufacturing entity, which is now one of the largest and most comprehensive single-source solution providers within the manufacturing space.

To guide the four companies through this merger, Caldera Manufacturing Group has hired longtime industry leader Mark Jurman, who brings more than 25 years of experience within the global industrial manufacturing space, as CEO. In this role, Jurman will be responsible for Caldera Manufacturing Group’s overall operations while establishing company goals and strategic direction for the newfound entity to not only maintain the success of the combined four companies, but to expand on growing services and capabilities.

“We are thrilled to officially introduce Caldera Manufacturing Group to customers, as this well-diversified and strategically positioned company is poised to significantly impact a wide range of manufacturing customers and partners as well as their respective industries nationwide. By combining the deep industry expertise and extensive capabilities from each of the four business units, Caldera Manufacturing Group will help to reduce total costs and improve overall quality while raising the bar for an unmatched customer experience,” said Jurman. “I am eager to step into this leadership role as Caldera Manufacturing Group forges its path in the industry. I look forward to driving the new company forward from its infancy, meeting and exceeding the needs and expectations of our current and future customers.”

Separately, Summit Steel & Manufacturing, Inc., Fairlawn Tool, Inc., Laser Specialties, Inc. and Summit Storage Solutions were industry leaders in their respective sectors and industries now offer customers and partners comprehensive capabilities under this unified, rebranded solution. The four companies under Caldera Manufacturing Group will operate as usual; however, Caldera Manufacturing Group will continue to grow its network of facilities and capabilities, upgrading equipment and processes to today’s demanding standards for excellence in quality and competitiveness.

Caldera Manufacturing Group will specialize in providing full-service manufacturing and fabrication solutions across a variety of industries, including aerospace, agricultural equipment, conventional and alternative energy, automotive, consumer products, construction, entertainment, military/defense and recreational vehicles. Some of Caldera Manufacturing Group’s current capabilities include 2D sheet laser cutting, 3D tube laser cutting, bending and forming, centerless grinding, CNC turning and milling, manual and robotic welding, stamping, tubular bending, turret punching, batch and automated powder coating and value-added assembly.

“Bringing an aligned yet varied range of capabilities and industry specialties will offer a unique set of opportunities and challenges for Caldera Manufacturing Group, and no one is better suited to lead these efforts than Mark Jurman,” said Gary Romig, shareholder and former CEO of Summit Steel & Manufacturing, Inc. “With Mark at the helm, we are confident Caldera Manufacturing Group can effortlessly navigate the ever-changing fabricated metals industry space, positively impacting the marketplace for years to come.”

Most recently, Jurman served as CEO for Dedoes Industries, a provider of equipment for the automotive refinish market. He has also worked for Silver Eagle Manufacturing Company, Rheinmetall Automotive, Superwinch and Novawinch.

Alongside Jurman, the leadership team will include COO Steve Mitchell and CFO Christine Staub. Romig, a shareholder and former owner and CEO of Summit Steel & Manufacturing, Inc. and Lorraine Capital’s board of directors will also provide company oversight. Caldera Manufacturing Group will be headquartered in Reading, PA, at the current site of Summit Steel & Manufacturing, Inc.