Join us as we tell the story of how our production facility in the US, came to be located in Niles, Michigan.
Building a company that can make it to the 30-year mark is a journey filled with growth, challenges, and pivotal decisions. One of the most defining moments in our company’s growth came when we finally found the perfect home in Niles, Michigan. It wasn’t just about finding a location—it was about discovering a place where we could truly thrive by bringing all our production together under one roof and taking our business to the next level. Here’s the story of how we ended up in Niles, and why it was the perfect fit for us.
The Early Days
To properly tell this story, we need to go back to the beginning, over 30 years ago. MEGAPRO® screwdrivers were in fact being made as early as 1992, through a licensing agreement MEGAPRO® inventor and founder, Hermann Fruhm, had struck with a nearby Canadian manufacturer. That’s right, some Megapro screwdrivers you may come across are older than dinosaurs…at least the ones seen on the big screen in Jurassic Park.
Herm’s principal contact at that plant had a connection in Indiana, Lee, who wanted to partner up and bring manufacturing of MEGAPRO® screwdrivers to the USA. Lee had some ideas that pointed to setting up business in Michigan, which was determined to be the best spot. So manufacturing began! Production was spread out across two principal locations and the story of MEGAPRO® continued to unfold.
Business was good and sales picked up, but unfortunately, the partnership fizzled out and MEGAPRO® screwdrivers were left in production limbo, with nobody to oversee manufacturing. Hermann decided at this point to take the reigns of his own product’s future. He was able to terminate the licensing agreement, giving him sole ownership of the product and then went down to Michigan to introduce himself to the local team. He honestly intended on closing the plants and bringing production back home to Canada, but something about the people on the team had captivated him and when he returned from his trip he said to his wife, “Marilyn, we have a US facility”. That was that! With all production secured, MEGAPRO® screwdrivers were re-introduced back into the marketplace, much to the satisfaction of some eager buyers.
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On Our Own
As our business grew, so did our need for space. The facilities we shared with a company that participated in assembly no longer provided us with the production room we needed to meet demand, nor could their production schedules. We started searching for new facilities, but the transition wasn’t easy. We briefly moved some of our operations to a location we could lease in Buchanan, Michigan, to alleviate the growing pains.
We still had operations split across two locations, with parts having to be shipped back and forth between sites. It was inefficient, and the logistics weren’t sustainable. We had grown big enough and it was time for MEGAPRO® to BUY a production facility where we could continue to make the screwdrivers we were fiercely proud to make in an area where people took pride in the work they did. We found a building in South Bend.
As a Canadian-owned company, however, there were some challenges with buying property in the U.S. Eventually, with the help of a bank manager (that really went to bat for us) MEGAPRO® managed to purchase and set up our very own facility with everything we needed for complete in-house production.
The Niles Opportunity
As is the trend with a growing business, this location at South Bend eventually became too small for our production needs. We realized that, considering our growth and how we wanted to set the company up for the future, we needed to find the perfect facility. A location that we could call home of the MEGAPRO® screwdriver and would suit our needs for years to come. But the hunt wasn’t easy and the prospect of having to search further and further away started to feel like a harsh reality.
Then, one day, Tracy—a longtime employee who moved with us to the South Bend facility—offered a game-changing suggestion. “Hey,” she said, “there’s this spot in Niles up for sale. 50 years ago, my uncle built this building, I think it’s a good fit.” It was clear that this was likely the solution MEGAPRO® had been waiting for.
The Perfect Fit
Herm shortly drove to Niles, and as soon as he walked through the door, he knew we had found the right place. The building was everything we needed—and more. It was a massive 21,000 square feet, with plenty of room to grow. The space was on two acres of land, complete with a large parking lot, and it was centrally located. For a company like ours, it checked all the boxes, and we’ve proudly been a part of the Niles business community ever since.
Still Going Strong
Looking back, moving to Niles was the turning point for our company. The decision was about more than just acquiring a larger space—it was about finding a location that allowed us to bring everything together. The Niles building gave us everything we needed to grow, expand, and meet the demands of our customers. It has been a privilege to have many staff who have been with us for 10 and even 20 years!
Today, we look back at our journey to Niles with gratitude. It was the perfect location at the perfect time. While the road to finding the perfect facility wasn’t easy, it was a testament to the importance of persistence, adaptability, and seizing the right opportunities when they arise. We couldn’t be prouder of where we are today—and we’re excited to see where the future takes us from here.
Thank you to the good people on our Niles team. There’s something special about being American-made – and it is 100% the heart they put into every driver that goes out the door.
