Hennig Inc. adds jobs and Expands; what it means for Job Seekers

 Mark Stricklin has spent most of his professional career as a welder. He now works at Hennig making enclosures that protect power generators from severe weather.

Stricklin explains "we take and make tanks, large tanks and some extra large tanks. We get them in pieces like a kit and we weld them together until it's a finished product. Then they get washed, they get painted and then sent over to assembly for the generator and the enclosure.

Hennig Inc. got its start in Rockford in 1977. Now the company will spend around $3.5 million dollars expanding. Hennig will start their 30,000 square-foot expansion this month adding two new production bays and cranes.

Stricklin says "It certainly offers some security into the future. I think they have a good product there's a high demand for it and it makes my future much for secure knowing this."

They'll hire up to 30 new employees starting in January. Hennig Vice President of Marketing and Sales Greg Champion says "as we grow those employees that are already have with us have a chance to expand with more responsibility. And typically that means the opportunity to get a little better wage.

But applications are always accepted.  Champion explains "we're always looking for good welders, assemblers and electricians."

The expansion will provide a boost for area businesses. Hennig is using Rockford's Cord Construction to complete the building portion of the expansion.

Champion says "we use local vendors when we buy our steal, when we buy our electrical components and when we buy our insulation. The expansion will also basically give 20 to 30 more families an opportunity for employment."

The expansion should be completed by spring 2013.