This article originally appeared in the Citizen Patriot on Tuesday, April 23, 1996. By Valerie Jones. His job's a barbecue, not picnic
Ten years ago, disappointment fired up an idea for a top-of-the-line barbecue grill in the brain of Stockbridge Iron Works owner Paul Faaborg. "It started when my wife bought me an expensive outdoor barbecue for my birthday," he said. "It lasted two years before it self-destructed. I told her, `I could build a better barbecue than that.'" Today, The Iron Works' patented commercial stainless steel barbecue makes up more than 50 percent of the company's overall business as a producer of stainless steel food service and medical equipment. Faaborg said his durable darling, one of two national leaders in the commercial barbecue market segment has "become the rage" at country clubs, golf courses, auto dealers and industries all over North America. "The barbecue industry has always painted their product black. (By using stainless steel) we changed the direction in the marketplace to something that would last more than one or two seasons before collapsing," said Faaborg, who does all the designing at The Iron Works. Faaborg views his lack of a formal engineering background as an advantage that allows him to take a fresh look at design. His degree in accounting from Eastern Michigan University helps him analyze costs and returns. The amazing thing, he said is that the barbecue, and all other Iron Works products, are peddled by word-of-mouth through independent distributors. "We've sold these barbecues to people all over the place. Last year I received orders from Hungary," he said. "Networking is really something when you think about it." Because barbecues are seasonal, production begins in November. By the end of April the entire year's line of about 3,000 units has been sold. Overall, the Iron Works' 15-20 employees make products that are sold to about 4,000 customers in all 50 states, in all 12 Canadian provinces, as far south as Trinidad, as far north as Alaska, as far west as Honolulu and as far east as Newfoundland. Those products include everything for the kitchen in the food service industry, including the kitchen sink, and from stainless steel cabinets to medical gurneys. Located in an industrial park at 4974 Bird Drive, Stockbridge, The Iron Works does business under the umbrella of Paul Faaborg and Associates Inc. The company began doing business in Lansing 15 years ago as a custom stainless steel fabricator, but moved all its facilities to Stockbridge two years ago. Faaborg, of Haslett, is president of the corporation and runs The Iron Works with shareholder and working partner, Tim Cosgrove, of Jackson. About five years ago the business ran out of room at its Lansing location. "We were in the inner city. It is very industrialized. We needed more space," said Faaborg. He said the relocation to Stockbridge came only after he had seriously considered leaving the state. "Our business is not centered on what's happening in Michigan. The majority of our product goes somewhere else," said Faaborg. After looking at several "very attractive locations out of state," Faaborg became convinced by the Ingham County Development Authority that Stockbridge was the place to be. "The folks from the development authority were very positive and also the business leaders from Stockbridge. Their approach was very refreshing compared to the big cities," he said. Now Faaborg would like to do something positive for Stockbridge. "I feel a social responsibility to the community. I have always voiced the opinion that people should become more involved," he said.
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