L&M Radiator, Inc. has completed the relocation of its plant in El Paso, TX, to Las Cruces, NM. L&M is leasing about 52,000 square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space at 2100 South Valley Drive. The move will give L&M twice the manufacturing space of its former facility. L&M Radiator manufactures heavy-duty radiators and heat exchangers under the brand name “MESABI®.”
Dan Chisholm, company President, said nearly all the employees from the El Paso plant have chosen to stay with L&M in its move to Las Cruces. Even so, said Chisholm, L&M will need to increase its Las Cruces work force by about 30% from its current 138 to meet demand. The plant is 100% operational and running three shifts per day, five days a week. Chisholm said people interested in applying for new positions could do so online at www.mesabi.com, or apply in person at a plant open house scheduled for Saturday, September 24 from 10 AM – 2 PM.
“We are pleased with our decision to relocate our Southwest plant to Las Cruces,” said Chisholm. “The Mesilla Valley Economic Development Alliance has been very helpful in helping us relocate and expand here, and the work force has quickly learned our manufacturing processes and is highly motivated. Doña Ana Community College provided valuable training for new employees.”
L&M’s El Paso plant was L&M’s second US plant when it opened in 1980 and fourth in the world. L&M also has US plants in Hibbing, MN, Independence, IA, and Yankton, SD, and in Mexico and Australia. It is in the process of opening a seventh plant in northern Chile that will serve L&M’s markets in South America. Total L&M employment worldwide is more than 700, according to Chisholm.
Chisholm said the Las Cruces plant open house on Saturday will give Las Cruces area residents a look at what L&M makes, plus persons interested in job openings a chance to apply. L&M supervisors will be available to answer questions related to employment opportunities. The open house will take place from 10AM – 2 PM. Refreshments will be provided.
L&M Radiator is family owned and now in its third generation of management. Dan Chisholm’s grandfather co-founded L&M Radiator in 1957. It was acquired soon thereafter by Dan’s father, Alex, who remains active in the business today. The third family member is Dan’s sister, Laura Chisholm Ekholm. Plant headquarters are in Hibbing on the Minnesota Mesabi Iron Range – hence the origin of its brand name.
The design concept of the MESABI® radiator originated during WWII desert tank warfare when it was discovered British tanks could be disabled with a single bullet hole through the radiator. The radiator the British developed featured individual cooling tubes held in radiator headers by individual rubber seals. The seals allowed damaged tubes to be replaced in the field and often without removing the radiator from the tank. The concept virtually eliminates leaking; MESABI® radiators usually do not need maintenance, other than simple cleaning, for up to 25,000 hours of equipment operation.
The L&M MESABI® radiator is now used worldwide in all heavy-duty, off-road mobile and stationary equipment. Variations on the design concept include radiators, complete radiator cooling packages, oil coolers, charge air coolers, and tube and shell coolers. According to Chisholm, the majority of its heat exchangers are used in mining, and oil and gas exploration and drilling.
