Perin Machining Company, started by Webster City native Dave Perin, is now owned by Bonomi North America, which was effective at midnight June 30.

Perin said he had not planned on selling the company. When Aldo Bonomi and his brother Carlo arrived at his office about nine months ago, he thought they wanted to do business with him.

“They just walked in and made it clear they wanted to acquire the business,” he said.

They suggested he travel to Italy to see their operation. Perin thought that would be a few months down the road. They wanted him in Italy in just a few weeks.

Submitted photo
Dave Perin, left, and Aldo Bonomi outside the main office building.

But what he saw impressed him, and he saw a future for the business that he helped mold over the last 46 years with a team of skilled employees. Some of the employees have been with him for over 35 years. The transition has moved fast. Employees were told just last week. But there won’t be a lot of changes to start. Perin will remain in charge of the plant.

“I’m not retiring, I become the general manager for the company, so I will still be here managing,” said Perin.

Perin Machining is a contract manufacturer located on MacKinley Kantor Drive north of Webster City.

Perin graduated from Webster City High School in 1976 and attended the University of Iowa in mechanical engineering. But he returned to Webster City and started working at Electrolux. He started making parts in his father’s garage to use in the Electrolux and Beam appliances.

From there it evolved.

Submitted photo
The employees of Webster City's Perin Machining Company gather for a photo outside the main office with the new owners, Aldo and Carlo Bonomi of Bonomi North America.

By the time he quit selling to Electrolux, he estimated they had made 175 million parts, starting with the Webster City location, and continuing to sell to them when they moved to Mexico until 2019. Since then they have gotten out of the appliance and automotive parts business, and primarily produce plumbing valves and parts. Some of the parts they fabricate are used in the aerospace industry.

Perin doesn’t see a change for any of their customers, they will be keeping all their existing business. The key factors which interested the Bonomi’s was the highly skilled labor, and the high-tech European machines which are used in producing the parts.

The business is Perin’s brainchild, he has created parts, sold them, managed and nurtured it for 46 years. And he said that it has provided a good life for him and his family.

“This has been an emotional ride for me, but I just realized it’s the best for everyone in time,” he said, “It’s a golden deal.”

The Bonomi corporation is from Italy, but they have set up Bonomi North America with headquarters in North Carolina. This is just one of a number of companies they have purchased recently, due largely to the tariffs on products manufactured outside of this county. This purchase will help them continue their business with American interests, and create products they were manufacturing in Italy here in Webster City. Perin’s company is the first manufacturing operation.

“Bonomi will now have its own product produced here. For our younger employees, this brings some relief. I think in a way it is encouraging for our customers. It’s going to give people here more opportunities.”

Perin said they used to do a lot of work for Electrolux, then later sold their parts to Electrolux in their Mexican plant. But they only sold to Electrolux in Mexico for about ten years. At that time, Perin said, the world was changing, and he didn’t see a future for his children in the business. They were losing a lot of business to China, to Mexico and he didn’t see a long-term future.

But now, said Perin, the world has changed again.

“It seemed like it was all going away to China,” he said, “It’s a good business now.”

Perin said this is an example of the tariffs helping. First they lost business because of the high tariffs, now they are seeing the reverse.

“The premise of bringing manufacturing back to the United States is important to the economy and the security,” he said, “In America we’ve got to get back to building things.”

With the sale completed, the Perin Machining Company will now be owned by Bonomi, North America. Italy is where they originated, but they are buying a lot of companies. They have over 1,000 employees.

“You should see what they have in Europe,” said Perin “They are a high end manufacturer of valves.” Perin said they have immaculate facilities, indicating they will be a good community partner in Webster City.

“I believe their long-term intention is to put in more square feet and bring in more equipment,” said Perin. Currently the company has 14 employees, and operates out of four different buildings. Perin expects that number to double in the short term.

“For me, it’s great to see someone buy it that will do something wonderful, they will take it somewhere I never could have,” he said, “It’s nothing but really good news,” he said in reflection, ” I’m thankful they want me to stay. They are going to do some pretty amazing stuff here.”

“I’m getting older,” he said he didn’t really have a succession plan, and his children have careers in other areas. Perin, who has eight children and 13 grandchildren wants the business and the employees here to continue to thrive.

“I was afraid what was going to happen when my exit happens,” he said, “It’s great to see something I started become so much more.”

Perin places a lot of credit on the business success on his employees. He has continued to keep his hand on the sales component of the company, but the skilled labor he has employed over the years is a key part of the puzzle. He has used the Iowa Central Community College workforce training programs, and has gotten some good employees through it.

“I think this is a good thing for Webster City. I expect them, in time to build here. All in all it’s a good thing for the town. I know they have pretty significant plans,” he continued, “We will have to come up with the labor. We will have to show we are worth investing in.”

And that is what Bonomi North America plans to do.