Operation Action UP pays tribute to Dickinson County businesses | News, Sports, Jobs

LP Building Solutions employs over 170 people at its Sagola plant, which was converted to produce the company’s flagship product, SmartSide house cladding, in 2023.

Three Dickinson County companies received the Award of Excellence at Operation Action UP’s 2024 Annual Meeting in Marquette.

Operation Action UP is a privately funded economic development organization that encompasses all types of industries and serves a 15-county area. Its mission is to bring together interested industrial entities, financial institutions, utilities, academia, businesses and engaged citizens in a coalition committed to creating a favorable economic climate and strong employment base for the region. For more information, visit http://www.operationactionup.com/.

The Award of Excellence recognizes up to four outstanding companies or large institutional employers each year that have contributed to the economic prosperity of the Upper Peninsula. The nomination deadline for this year is November 1.

Summaries provided by Operation Action UP for the three Dickinson County award winners are:

lodestar

Guide Star is a division of CCI Systems, based in Iron Mountain. Guide Star specializes in virtual, service-based IT and cybersecurity and prides itself on being technology agnostic, ensuring customized solutions that carefully analyze existing infrastructure and recommend improvements to strengthen systems and data security.

Guide Star invests in the communities it serves, working with community leaders, supporting technical education for students, and providing community members with insight into cybersecurity topics. Guide Star believes the people needed for the future of the company are at home here and is committed to developing that pipeline for the future.

Whether expanding an existing cyber program or leading the implementation of a new one, Guide Star is a trusted partner in navigating the dynamic landscape of technology solutions.

For more information, visit guide-star.com, call 800-684-2115 or email [email protected].

Companies starting with KUBICK

Based in Kingsford, Kubick Aviation Services Inc. has been a dynamic force in the aviation industry since it was founded by Chad Kubick in 2004. Originally focused on aircraft maintenance and repair, the company has significantly expanded its scope of operations over the years to cover a wide range of aviation needs throughout the Upper Peninsula and Midwest.

In 2014, as part of a significant expansion of its operations, Kubick Aviation acquired the majority of Superior Aviation’s fixed assets. This strategic move enabled the company to move into a much larger hangar at Ford Airport in Kingsford, previously occupied by Superior Aviation, thereby expanding its service capabilities.

To continue its growth trajectory, Kubick Aviation expanded to Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport in 2022 and acquired the majority of Boreal Aviation’s assets in August 2023.

This recent expansion has not only broadened the company’s reach, but also improved the quality of air services available in the Upper Peninsula. Importantly, with the acquisition of the assets of Boreal Aviation, Kubick Aviation has expanded its team by eight employees, bringing the total number of employees in the UP to 44.

An integral part of Kubick Aviation is Northern Airways, the charter flight division. Northern Airways offers personalized and flexible travel options for private and corporate customers, ensuring a unique and customizable flight experience. This service underlines Kubick Aviation’s commitment to providing comprehensive aviation solutions and underlines its role as a major player in the regional aviation industry.

Today, Kubick Aviation Services offers a full range of services that include a certified avionics and aircraft maintenance department, aircraft management services, self-service fueling stations, 24/7 pilot lounges and more. They also offer conference rooms, private work areas with Wi-Fi, pilot supplies and rental aircraft.

These offerings not only meet local aviation needs, but also attract customers from across the Midwest. Kubick Aviation’s commitment to providing diverse, high-quality aviation services, along with its strategic location and team of 44 skilled professionals, positions the company as a key player in the regional aviation industry that will continue to serve and grow in the Upper Peninsula.

LP building solutions — SAGOLA

For more than 50 years, Louisiana-Pacific has been a leading provider of high-performance construction solutions that meet the needs of builders, remodelers and homeowners worldwide. Serving the new construction, repair and remodel, and exterior structure markets, LP has leveraged its expertise to become an industry leader recognized for innovation, quality, reliability and sustainability.

LP is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, and operates 23 manufacturing facilities in North and South America.

LP’s Sagola plant was built in 1987 as an OSB board plant and produced its first boards in 1988. After nearly 35 years of operation, LP announced that its Sagola plant will be converted to produce the company’s flagship siding product, SmartSide, one of the fastest-growing siding brands in the Americas.

The project added 134,000 square feet of manufacturing space and invested $84 million worth of new machinery and equipment into the factory. The investment not only provided stability for LP team members, but also created additional jobs for local contractors and suppliers in the community.

Today, LP Sagola employs more than 170 people from four surrounding counties. Supporting the communities in which LP operates is an important part of what this company is and how it operates.

LP is known for contributing funds, resources and volunteers to causes that align with its missions and values, focusing on three key pillars: economic prosperity, nurturing future talent, and community engagement and support. Over its 35-year history, LP Sagola has donated tens of thousands of dollars to local public schools and nonprofits – most recently to the Iron County Cancer Unit and the Dickinson County Cancer Unit Loan Closet.

To nurture future talent, the institution participates in Woodland Elementary School’s annual STEM Night, introducing young students to the wonderful world of careers in science, technology, engineering and math.

In addition to its commitment to the community, LP also places great importance on environmental stewardship. The company manages its environmental footprint responsibly, from product innovation and sourcing to manufacturing. Its efficiently manufactured, responsibly sourced and carbon negative products help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and absorb carbon from the environment.

LP Sagola also supplies local farmers with wood ash residue, a byproduct of the manufacturing process that provides nutrients for healthy plants.