By Tracy McNew
Montana Machine, owned by LeRoy Thom is currently located at 34474 US Hwy 2 outside of Libby. The company will soon expand, and move to their new location at 1675 Hwy. 37, the site of Payne Machinery Inc. The two businesses have coexisted for many years in Libby and they are about to merge.
Currently Montana Machine is a full service machine shop that can complete any job, small, large, or epic, according to their website. They specialize in machining, metal fabrication and industrial repairs as well as having a retail supply side.
Thom has owned and operated Montana Machine since 1992 when he and a partner purchased equipment from the closed down W.R. Grace mine site and started their own business. Prior to that, Thom worked as foreman of the milling crew for W.R. Grace at the mine.
Recently in a deal with Bill Payne, owner of Payne Machinery, Inc. ,Thom agreed to purchase Payne Machinery’s assets including their building, equipment and inventory.
Payne Machinery specializes in machinery maintenance and repair, hydraulic repair and industrial shop services.
Payne, retiring after 50 years, approached Thom about buying him out. After consulting with his wife, accountant, and banker, Thom made the “easy decision” to move forward with the acquisition.
Thom has been training to take over for quite a while now, he said. He gets to Payne Machinery by 5:30 or 6 a.m. daily to learn about that business before he goes to his regular job at Montana Machine.
Thom will be keeping all 12 staff members, six from Montana Machine, and six from Payne Machinery. He also anticipates adding one or two more employees since the businesses complement each other well enough that they will add services and enhance customers’ experiences increasing business. According to Lenny Pauley, a Payne Machinery employee for the past two years, “It’ll be a complete store when he’s done. A one stop shop, that’s basically what we’re trying to do.”
“My business was busting at the seams for more room,” Thom told The Montanian. The new location will increasing his shop size by 1½ times. Absorbing Payne Machinery’s business will also increase Montana Machine’s retail presence by five times, Thom said.
The transition may take a few months, but Montana Machine will be moved to the 1675 U.S. Hwy 37 location soon and it will provide all of the services that both businesses have in the past.
Thom made sure to thank George Mercer at Glacier Bank, and Amy Guth for her legal expertise. “I look forward to this new adventure, to meeting new customers, and to welcoming old customers to a new location,” he said.
Payne said in a press release, “To the many customers that favored my company with their business during all these years, my sincere thanks.”
Payne’s retirement party will be held on Friday, March 29 at Payne Machinery from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. The public is invited to attend.