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Batzer Builds Bulk Storage Warehouse for
Fire Mountain Gems and Changes Grants Pass Skyline
 Before Batzer Inc. built a 68,400 square foot bulk storage warehouse for Fire Mountain Gems and Beads in Grants Pass, the firm stored its jewelry-making supplies in four remote warehouse sites. Company trucks would pick up gems, beads and materials in Cave Junction and Merlin five days a week, then deliver them to Fire Mountain headquarters on "E" Street and the Grants Pass Parkway.
As the wholesale gem business grew, it was obvious that Fire Mountain needed a more efficient method for warehousing materials. Transferring the supplies from one place to another wasted time, it required staff to be stationed in each location and employees had to track and manage a multipart inventory system.
To mitigate the problems and to increase productivity, Fire Mountain Gems contracted with Batzer Inc. to design and build its bulk storage warehouse that is more than 40 feet high. Fire Mountain Project Manager Chuck Wolfmueller says that the firm's owners, Stuart and Chris Freedman, knew what kind of building they wanted, and that Batzer was able to put their ideas on paper and to build a quality facility that suited their needs.
"It was clear that our business had specific requirements in regard to the design of the space," says Wolfmueller, "We had to make sure we used the square footage to its fullest capacity and that plans were geared toward current needs and future growth. Batzer successfully addressed these issues and we are pleased with the overall outcome."
Fire Mountain's warehouse is the only one of its kind with a fire suppression system instead of rack sprinklers. The design also included narrower-than-normal isles for a highly efficient use of the space.
Batzer began construction on the Fire Mountain Gem warehouse in March 2006, with the final work being completed in April of 2007. According to Wolfmueller, Batzer Superintendent Vane Jones and Project Manager Scott Heroux did an outstanding job. "Scott took responsibility for the construction details," Wolfmueller says. "He really thought ahead and made sure that everyone did what they were supposed to do."
Fire Mountain has been in business since 1973. The company imports beads and gems, then resells them to individuals, designers and bead shops around the world. When the firm relocated from Cave Junction to Grants Pass several years ago (the former Litton Industries property) they had 125 employees. Today, the Grants Pass direct marketer employs nearly 500 people and is continuing to grow. With the new warehouse, the firm has enough space to store the beads, gems and jewelry supplies for current customers, and has space for expansion.
For Wolfmueller, the project was a success, thanks to a partnership with the Batzer team. "Everything turned out the way it was supposed to. We have a nice looking building that the owners and the city of Grants Pass are happy with.
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