Montana Hydraulics adds laser cutter, jobs

Montana Hydraulics has expanded its manufacturing capacity with a custom metal laser, creating three new jobs in the process.

The new Mazak Optiplex laser offers superior edge quality and more stable cutting performance for applications that include stainless steel, mild steel, copper, brass, aluminum and other exotic metals up to 1 inch thick.

“This machine will give us the capability to meet local and statewide demand for precision metal cutting with fast turnarounds and much tighter tolerances and higher precision.” said Aaron Kellum, the plant's operations manager.

Kellum said the cutting machine enables the company to provide highly-accurate products within shorter time frames. With computer aided design, Montana Hydraulics can produce short-run specialty items, signs, prototypes and mass-produced precision parts for local and regional manufacturers.

Installed in May, the new machinery has created 3 new jobs and will operate on two 8-hour shifts, Kellum said.

“Montana Hydraulics is a multifaceted industrial manufacturing company offering custom machining, fabrication and hydraulic services,” Kellum said. “Our large, technologically advanced machine shop and fabrication capabilities enable us to manufacture equipment for extreme conditions and requirements.”

The company was established in 1998 and has grown from exclusively manufacturing cylinders and hydraulics to a diverse customer base including mining, construction, underground utilities, railroads, timber processing machinery, waste management and aerospace tooling.