Governor Gianforte Celebrates Expansion of Felco Industries

New facility to support a dozen additional good-paying jobs

• June 09 2023

MISSOULA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte today joined U.S. Senator Steve Daines to celebrate the expansion of Felco Industries to a new 20,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Missoula.

“When products are manufactured in Montana, it sends a message to consumers that what they’re purchasing is made to the highest quality and standard. Felco Industries’ products are no exception,” Gov. Gianforte said. “We’ll continue to cut red tape, lower taxes, and invest in a stronger workforce to support job-creating businesses like Felco Industries.”

Gov. Gianforte speaking with Felco President Aaron Kellum (right) and U.S. Senator Steve Daines (center)

Founded in 1983, Felco Industries manufactures excavator products for utility, infrastructure, and energy sector installation and replacement projects.

Gov. Gianforte and Sen. Daines joined Felco CEO Shawn Pabst and President Aaron Kellum, as well as representatives of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), to celebrate the expansion.

“Felco Industries is proud of the work we are doing right here in Missoula,” said Felco Industries CEO Shawn Pabst. “With this new expansion, we will be able to continue our contributions to the local economy for generations to come.”

He continued, “Governor Gianforte and Senator Daines have been great leaders for our state and for our manufacturing work in the community, and we thank them for their commitment to our success. We look forward to working with both the Governor and Senator to address workforce challenges, infrastructure investments in the state, and the rural economy in Montana.”

Kip Eideberg, AEM’s senior vice president of government and industry relations, added, “Governor Gianforte is a champion for Montana equipment manufacturers, and we thank him joining us as we celebrate the grand opening of Felco’s new facility here in Missoula. The governor’s efforts to cut taxes, roll back harmful regulations, and develop the state’s workforce is helping equipment manufactures invest in their communities, grow their businesses, and create more family-sustaining jobs in Montana.”

According to AEM, the equipment manufacturing industry supports more than 850 jobs in Montana and contributes $79 million to the state’s economy annually.

Praising Felco for its expansion, Sen. Daines added, “Felco contributes many good-paying jobs to the local economy, and I’m grateful they’re expanding and investing in Montanans.”

“Felco products have a reputation to match the state it calls home and the people who live here— strong, reliable, resilient. Just as Felco takes pride in their Montana heritage, Montana is proud Felco is here. I will always support the manufacturers building Montana’s bright future,” Daines concluded.

Creating a better climate for business development and job creation, including cutting taxes, overhauling regulations, and encouraging entrepreneurship, is a central element of Governor Gianforte’s Montana Comeback Plan.

###