Published: September 26, 2009 07:33 pm      

Chasing a dream

Man starts own business after being laid off from Chrysler.

After a year of being laid off as a journeyman millwright from Chrysler in Kokomo, Jim Galbreath decided it was time to make a change in his life.

“I always wanted to start a business,” he said. “I decided the time was finally right.”

Galbreath decided to pursue his own business in the welding and fabrication field because it is something he has always loved doing.

“I enjoy making things out of metal with machinery,” he said.

After making an agreement with Chrysler, he went on his own for the first time. He started Galbreath Industrial Services in his garage with a portable welder and finally decided to move into a machine and fabrication shop.

“We are running out of room already,” he said about the new shop.

Galbreath said it took hard work to build the shop. He even traveled around the country picking up the machinery he wanted and needed for the shop.

Galbreath has worked as a millwright for 12 years, but became interested in the field as a teenager while working on cars. He joined the Army Reserves and worked as mechanic, working on Jeeps and tanks.

“That’s where I really got my start,” he said.

Over the years, Galbreath has been a welding instructor and management supervisor.

“I’ve worked at a lot of different places over the years,” he said. “I tried to take any kind of training each place offered.”

The business offers a variety of services, including fabrication and design while working with custom specifications, complete machine shop service and welding for all types and metals including stainless, ferrous, aluminum and specialty alloys. The business also offers machine installation and repair, such as mechanical assembly of machinery and systems.

The business will also complete some building and ground maintenance services, including steel siding repair or installation, door repair and paving and asphalt repair.

“It’s easier to ask what we don’t do,” Galbreath laughed. “We do a lot of welding and fabrication and a lot of custom work. We get involved in a lot of things.”

Galbreath said he started the business primarily to work with welding and machining projects.

He said those interested in work can bring in a print or a drawing of what they want to build. The company has the capability of building custom machines from scratch.

Workers can also complete on-site welding, usually for farmers who need large farm equipment repaired.

The business consists of two journeyman machinists and one other journeyman millwright. His employee list includes Mark Hilgart, Bill Trinen and Doug Anderson.

Currently, the business is working on a historical restoration project for Mount Hope Cemetery. The men are rebuilding four sections of iron fence and will fix the existing fence. Once the work is complete, the fence will be repainted.

“We are trying to make it look like it never happened,” Galbreath said. “Some customers I have worked with think I’m a perfectionist, and in a sense, I am. We like to make things look professional.”

While this is his first business, Galbreath also hopes it is the only one.

He admitted he started during a questionable economy.

“Since I started the business, I feel that it was what God wanted me to do,” he said. “I don’t feel that I could have done this without him. All the pieces have just come together.”

Galbreath describes himself as an adventurous person who has always been willing to take risks.

“This is probably the biggest risk I have ever taken,” he said.

The overall challenges include learning the daily operations of running a business, but he said operating the shop had been very satisfying so far.

The job is rewarding, especially when making an item or restoring an item that will be in existence after he retires.

Goals include expanding the business to between five and ten full-time employees, becoming involved in robotics and automated systems, and more electrical work. Eventually, Galbreath would like to see the company become self-sustaining and remain in business after he retires.

He’s happy with the decision to start is own business.

“I can’t imagine myself doing anything else,” he said.

• Denise Massie is a staff writer at the Pharos-Tribune. She can be reached at (574) 732-5151 or denise.massie@pharostribune.com



New Business

Name: Galbreath Industrial Services

Address: 801 Erie Ave.

Phone: Office (574) 737-8159 or cell (574) 601-8159

Hours: Usually open by 7 a.m. Monday through Friday. The owner can be reached by cell phone if the office is closed.