Exact Metrology scanned the Quad Cities for growth opportunity
By Exact Metrology’s calculations, the Quad Cities and its manufacturing muscle measured up as the best place for its own expansion.
Founded in 2000, Exact Metrology expanded its footprint in March with a new location at 4715 15th St. A in Moline, just a mile-and-a-half from the Quad City International Airport. The Milwaukee area-based company uses 3D scanning and other imaging technologies to provide customized dimensional measurement services for a multitude of industries.
“People want to deal with people who are local,” General Manager Joe Wright said of the impetus to have a presence in the growing Quad Cities market. “The Quad Cities Chamber has been after us a few years to do bricks and mortar here.”
The company’s new facility boasts office space, a laboratory, a warehouse and a training facility for clients. Previously, Quad Cities customers had to travel to Wisconsin or Ohio for training.
Its local customer base includes agricultural manufacturers and their suppliers, the defense industry and others, said Division Manager Kris Bowers, an 11-year veteran of the company who heads up the new location with Wright. Across the company, its services also reach the aerospace, medical, automotive, power generation and construction industries.
“There isn’t an industry we haven’t done,” Wright said.
No job too big – or small
In many cases, their clients need a copy of an existing part. Exact Metrology can scan the part, inspect it and capture a digital image to create a CAD (Computer-Aided Design) model. With the model, the client can replicate its part or manipulate the design to make improvements.
Exact Metrology has scanned an item as small as a grain of salt to as large as a nuclear facility, a baseball stadium and even an entire downtown.
The full-service measuring company represents several manufacturers, including Hexagon, the world’s largest metrology equipment maker. Product lineups include 3D scanners, laser scanners, coordinate measuring machines (CCM), 3D body scanners, CT scanners and more.
With its 3D laser scanners, Exact Metrology offered an assist to Cincinnati artist Tom Tsuchiya who created the bronze sculptures of Cincinnati Reds’ Hall of Famers Tony Perez, Johnny Bench and others at the Great American Ballpark. The company has also scanned ancient artifacts in Peru, the Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis and even worked with the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame & Museum in Milwaukee.
In the medical field, its services are aiding the development of new devices and equipment such as implants, orthotics and prosthetics.
Wright said one of the most unusual requests he has fielded was to perform a 3D scan of a man’s pet dog. With the digital image, the pet owner’s veterinarian designed a custom muzzle.
Part of a 'successful manufacturing ecosystem'
Now four employees strong in Moline, Wright said, “The goal is to outgrow this building in three years.”
Tami Petsche, the Chamber’s Vice President of Business and Economic Growth, said the economic development team began assisting the company with site selection in July 2019. Working with its local partners, the Chamber helped identify possible office locations for the company.
“We’re super happy they were finally able to land a spot in Illinois and really excited for them,” she said.
Chamber staff has also helped the firm make connections with prospective customers in the region through the Manufacturing Innovation Hub. An initiative of the Chamber, the Hub is a mega resource designed to help manufacturers and others in the defense supply chain identify opportunities to grow and differentiate their operations, products and services.
Exact Metrology’s arrival “continues to help build our successful manufacturing ecosystem,” Petsche said. “It’s just another service provider in the region that can help our existing manufacturers grow. Keep it QC, keep it local.”
Exact Metrology – At a Glance
BUSINESS TYPE: Provides solutions for measuring needs to a wide array of manufacturing industry sectors. Services include contract measurement and 3D scanning services; metrology equipment solutions; and hardware and software rentals. The company is a supplier for many metrology manufacturers, including Hexagon, the world’s largest metrology equipment maker.
LOCATIONS: Headquartered in the Milwaukee area, it also has operations in Cincinnati, Ohio, and as of last March, a new Quad Cities location at 4715 15th St. A, Moline.
FOUNDED: In 2000 by Dean Solberg and Steve Young, who own the business.
QC LEADERSHIP: Joe Wright, General Manager, and Kris Bowers, Division Manager.
EMPLOYEES: 46 (including 4 in Quad Cities).
CERTIFICATIONS: ISO 9001; AS9100; Federal Firearms License (FFL); and International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR).
CONTACT: Visit exactmetrology.com or call 309-524-4323 (Quad Cities).
Economic Impact
DIRECT IMPACT
- DIRECT JOBS: 2
- DIRECT PAYROLL: $12,000
- DIRECT OUTPUT: $314,410
TOTAL IMPACT:
- TOTAL JOBS: 4
- TOTAL PAYROLL: $189,295
- TOTAL ANNUAL ECONOMIC IMPACT: $563,374
