Dedicated. Innovative. Empower. Responsive. Value. Niche.

Those are six core values which guide the executive team and employees at Bruin Manufacturing of Marshalltown. And after 77 years in a competitive business weathering countless economic downturns in the national and international economy, it is evident those are more than words.

The company specializes in manufacturing a wide variety of parts using plastic injection molding. The customer base is primarily the United States and some internationally – according to members of the company’s executive team who were interviewed at Marshalltown operations by the Times-Republican earlier this month.

Bruin Manufacturing is located in the 600 block of North 4th Avenue approximately two blocks from where company co-founder Clair Devick — a World War II veteran — put up the first building. Clair had been working for another Marshalltown manufacturer when he decided he wanted to be in business for himself. Joining Clair in the start-up venture were his brother Dale Devick and partner George Menne.

Shortly thereafter, they moved to their present location. The business is still owned by the Devick family.

Sam Devick, president and CEO, is Clair’s grandson. The late Bruce Devick, Clair’s son, was Sam’s father. Bruce Devick held the positions of president and chief operating officer.

Bruce Devick died in 2017, and Sam assumed company leadership.

While known for manufacturing plastic-injection parts, the company had its origins in other markets.

“The company’s first products were the fabrication of components for farm and earth moving machinery,” according to an article describing the company submitted by Clair Devick in the “Continuing History of Marshall County” published in 1999. “In 1954 Bruin began die-casting of zinc and aluminum alloys and expanding their list of customers. Two years later, Bruin began the injection molding of thermoplastic materials.”

Currently, the company runs three shifts but only one is staffed with employees, which is known as “lights-out” automation. Why?

“My grandfather quickly learned that he did not want to stand at a machine all day,” said Sam Devick. “He developed an automated plastic molding machine in 1962 known as PM3 which is still in operation.”

Over the years, the company has purchased machinery made in Germany which is durable and highly-automated. It allows Bruin to best service customers.

The machines will shut down immediately in the event of a malfunction. Other company services include in-house tooling where employees design, build and maintain molds on site — enabling rapid problem-solving and lower costs; design and engineering — offers full design and engineering support from concept to finished product.

In 2016, the company expanded operations to Newton.

“The Newton location is ideal since it is near Interstate 80 and allows us to easily service customers in the Des Moines area,” said Sam Devick.

Determining and implementing practices to best service customers was a constant theme during the interview with the executive team. In one instance, staff loaded-up a large company truck with product so Bruce Devick could drive to Atlanta, Georgia. He left Marshalltown during a snowstorm over a “Super Bowl” weekend but made the delivery in time, he said.

In five to 10 years, Bruce Devick said a strong consideration is to replace PM3 with more advanced automation machinery.

“We have one robot on order now,” Sam Devick said.

Additionally, the executive team desires to grow the company with new customers while taking care of existing customers.

Bruin is also proud that a number of employees have remained on the payroll for decades. One recently had 47 years of service before retiring, and others who recently retired had slightly less but still decades-long service.

Joining Sam Devick on the executive team are Jeff Bethel — Chief Technology Officer; Reeba Bloom — Chief Operating Officer; Nick Hutchens — Chief Financial Officer and Katie Swaim — Marketing Specialist. For more information, contact 641-752-7116 or visit www.bruinmfg.com