Vacant plant and lost jobs coming back to life in Elkhart

By Ed Ernstes (ernstes@wsbt.com)

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Maryland-based Mobile Modular Express bought Miller Building Systems in Elkhart, and plans to rehire many of those laid-off workers. (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Nov 14, 2008 at 2:23 PM EST

Story Updated: Nov 20, 2008 at 11:38 PM EST

ELKHART — There's finally good economic news out of Elkhart. Miller Building Systems closed its doors earlier this year, putting many people out of work. Maryland-based Mobile Modular Express bought the company, and now says it wants to rehire many of those laid-off workers.

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"I was able to breathe much easier, it was just a big weight lifted off my chest,” said James Schultz, who is back to work. “The pressure and intensity around the house just went away."

"The goal is to get this facility up and running like it once was,” said Kevin Copenspire with Mobile Modular Express.

Mobile Modular Express bought the old Miller Building Systems facility.
Both companies make modular buildings.

“We think that the marketplace and the industry can sustain that kind of production,” Copenspire explained. “And this is a perfect opportunity, a perfect facility and we've got a great strong workforce that we truly believe in.”

That workforce is made up of people who already lost their jobs at that facility once, when Miller Building Systems was running it.

“We were trying to explain to the kids that Mom and Dad aren't working anymore, and figuring out our bills and how we were going to pay everything … it was tough,” said Bill Shriber, who was rehired with his wife.

The workers who were laid off at the previous operation, but have since been rehired, say getting their old jobs back is a godsend, especially in these tough economic times.

“I was really worried about what was going to happen because I know right now in this credit crunch going on there's a lot of jobs that aren't out there,” said Mike Jojo, who has been rehired.

“We are just excited to be back to work,” added Shriber. "It's just great."

The company hopes to have up to 60 employees at the plant in December, and eventually bring the entire 100-person workforce back sometime next year.

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