a Generational Vision
Read Our Story
How We Started
a man with a dream
At just 5 years old, Jim Flood had his first job collecting scrap metal along the railroad to sell for pennies. As a child of the Depression, he vowed to never see his family struggle like that, and promised himself to never let them go without. This drive followed him for his entire life, and he worked up until the day he passed away. Proudly boasting "General Flunky" on his business cards, Jim dropped out of high school in 10th grade - he saw more value in real world experience - and no matter where he worked, he bettered himself by learning any craft and trade he could. He learned construction, manufacturing, welding, repair work, electric, and so much more. Like a sponge, he soaked up knowledge, and applied it to every aspect of his life. After years of working for someone else, he took a leap of faith, and became his own boss.
Together with his wife Joan, they built RJ Manufacturing from the ground up, and with the help of the family he vowed to give a comfortable life, turned it into the success that it is today. Through their nearly 60 year marriage, Jim and Joan saw RJ go through highs and lows, but the one thing that never changed was the dream that Jim had of creating a life he loved - one of security and promise and family - a dream that still drives RJ Manufacturing to this day. No matter what the future brings, his legacy will forever live on through the ones who loved him the most.
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Meet the Family
For 3 generations, RJ Manufacturing has been family owned & operated, in hopes that it will continue to be passed on from generation to generation, keeping the dream that our founder, Jim, had so many years ago.
When Workers Become Family
Meet Rich & Jim
our longest tenured employes
Combined, Rich and Jim have worked for RJ Manufacturing for close to 60 years - not only have they watched the Swanson kids grow up and join the family business, they became family themselves. Both Jim and Rich loved "Mr. Flood", and would drop anything at a moments notice if he asked. From welding to fabrication to general maintenance work around the shop, they've done it all.
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It's people like Rich and Jim that make our company stand out from the herd - when we complete a job for you, it's not just another piece of steel hitting our machines - it's genuine experience and craftmanship at work - from employees who love what they do.
