Sen. Klobuchar visits Next Innovations, Ltd., Walker
Photos by Joe Sherman
Sen. Klobuchar was given a Minnesota map decor and an EyeCatcher that Next Innovations President Arnold Volker holds up. Posted: Wednesday, January 30, 2013 8:36 am staff reports pilotnews^pilotindependent.com
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar stopped in Walker Jan. 10 to tour Next Innovations' company headquarters and manufacturing facility, located in Walker's Industrial Park. Arnold Volker and the Next Innovations staff welcomed Klobuchar and her staff, which included Andrew Martin, who grew up in Akeley. Also on hand to greet the senator were Walker Mayor Scott Bruns, Cindy Wannarka and Jessica Gendron of the Leech Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, and Gail Leverson, executive director of the Cass County Economic Development Commission. Next Innovations, Ltd., is a precision manufacturer of home decor and custom shop job products. The facility utilizes a highly-skilled workforce and state-of-the art manufacturing capabilities to produce unique items. Manufacturing services include engineering and design, laser cutting, water jet cutting, forming, welding and laser engraving. Next is one part of four privately-held companies. The assets of these companies are used to provide products and services to more than a dozen industries. Companies include Range Precision in Blaine; abd Micro-Fab, LLC, and Real Stone in Bagley; which also has a factory outlet with a variety of items.
Next Innovation's manufacturing equipment allows it to produce a variety of finishes and fabricating of various types of metal, wood, plastic and glass product. It produces proprietary products for Fortune 500 companies, custom architectural products for numerous building products nationwide, custom signage and custom manufacturing parts. Next Innovations also provides custom powder coat finishing services. It most recently introduced the infusion finishing process that allows it to infuse full color imagery directly into a powder coat painted surface. Klobuchar's visit to Walker was the senator's fourth stop on a day-long trip to outstate Minnesota, beginning with a tour of the VA Medical Center in Fargo, N.D. She also stopped at Aevenia, Inc., Moorhead, to discuss efforts to fight metal theft; and visited the Park Rapids Armory to discuss redevelopment efforts and meet with local officials and business leaders.
