News Releases for August 2004
August 17, 2004
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Hoeven, Hebron Brick Company Announce $5 Million Expansion During Company's 100th Anniversary Celebration
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today joined Hebron Brick Company CEO Rodney Paseka to announce a $5 million expansion of the brick making plant during a ceremony to celebrate the company's 100th anniversary. To mark the occasion of the company's 100th year of operation, Paseka presented Hoeven with Hebron's symbolic "billionth brick."
Joining Hoeven and Paseka were Richard Brandon, President of the Hebron City Council; Ron Robson, President of US Bank in Fargo; and Dean Reese, N.D. Commerce Department, Division of Economic Development.
The expansion, which is already underway, will increase Hebron's production from 30 to 45 million bricks per year and add 10 to 12 new employees. The company currently employs about 100 employees, 50 at the plant and another 50 at retail centers in Fargo and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The new addition will be fully operational by May 2005.
"Hebron Brick Company is a well-established business in rural North Dakota using the latest technology to compete," Hoeven said. "This is a good example of how we're transitioning our economy."
"I knew that the turn of the century was coming, and I wanted to see the company continue to succeed into the next century on my watch," Paseka said. "Today is a proud moment for everyone who has contributed to the growth and success of the Hebron Brick Company over the years."
A 100th birthday celebration is being held at the plant in Hebron today from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The celebration is open to the public and will include plant tours, lunch and an 11:00 a.m. ceremony.
According to Paseka, Hebron Brick Company is the oldest manufacturing company in North Dakota, and the fourth oldest business in the state. The company was founded August of 1904 as the Hebron Fire and Pressbrick Company. The founders and principle owners were Charles Weigel and Ferdinand Lutz.
Hebron Brick has gone through two World Wars, the Great Depression, fire, bankruptcy and five different owners. There have been four plants built on the same site as the current facility. Paseka, the current owner and president, has been involved with Hebron Brick since 1978.
Much of the clay is mined from the same site established 100 years ago, according to Paseka. The current plant was built in 1998-99 to replace the plant built in 1960 by then owner, Harold Mueller. As a point of perspective, the 1960 plant capacity was eleven million bricks per year. The 1999 plant was built to manufacture thirty million bricks a year. Paseka estimates that the company has manufactured one billion bricks over its 100-year history.
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