Job shop owner looks for support
Add comment May 22nd, 2009
Greg Bryer started working for old Barber-Colman right out of high school.
Eleven years ago, like so many others in Rockford’s blue-collar history, he ventured out on his own, starting Babco General Machining.
At its very peak, Bryer, 48, had three people working for him at Babco, which is located in about 15,000 square feet at 1816 17th Ave., in the building that was for decades home to Nylint Corp., a toy manufacturer.
Today, he’s by himself, trying to dig up work in the worst recession since at least the early 1980s. His company’s capabilities include CNC milling and turning, drill and mill fixture building and repairing dies. Typically, he’s gotten many of his jobs work from Hamilton Sundstrand, but the aerospace supplier has cut back significantly this year.
He knows he’s not alone in his struggles so Bryer is starting a support group for out of work machinists.
“I know lots of guys have lost their jobs or are losing their houses, and here I’m barely keeping my doors open,” said Bryer. The Rock River Valley’s unemployment rate in March —the most recent figures available — was 13.5 percent. An analysis by The Associated Press releases Sunday determines that Boone and Winnebago counties are the most economically stressed counties in Illinois, according to an index that weighs an area’s jobless, unemployment and bankruptcy rates.
“Part of this is instead of thinking of my own troubles, I want to do something that might do some good.”
The first session will be held June 1 at his shop from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Depending on how many people show up, he’d like to get together every Monday and Wednesday. He certainly doesn’t have any experience in group counseling, so he’s set some simple goals.
“Just support each other. Maybe there’s garage sales we can put together. We could talk about how to find work. Maybe we can save money sharing day care,” Bryer said. “Maybe it’s just a chance to share the hard times with others who are going through this.”
Bryer said he has made the rounds at plants the past couple of weeks looking for contracts and talking about his plans.
“A lot of the shop owners said they might show up themselves,” he said. “I hope they tell the guys they had to let go about it. We’ll just start it and see where it goes.”
