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By 1987 we were receiving business from industries throughout the country and floor space for additional equipment was again at a premium. At about that same time, Smyth County officials were negotiating the purchase and development of a large tract of land in Atkins, a small community just outside Marion’s town limits, which would eventually become the Mountain Empire Industrial Park. The park was planned to be adjacent to Interstate 81, readily accessible from two other major interstate highways and within two hours of four airports. Jim realized the possibilities that locating in such an area would provide and seized the opportunity to purchase a prime lot in the development, beginning negotiations with area building contractors. 
After the building contract was awarded, ground breaking ceremonies were held in November, 1987 and our twenty-three thousand square foot facility was completed the following June. Since locating in the Industrial Park, four major expansions have increased our facility to over fifty thousand square feet. Our quality system was certified to be ISO 9001:2000 compliant in 2001 and in early 2005 we will complete installation of a five-million dollar linear transfer system, our largest capital investment to date, which will allow us to supply essential equipment to the Class 7 and 8 heavy trucking industry. The success of Smyth County Machine & Welding can be attributed to several things, including dedicated employees, consistent quality and outstanding customer service. All these things are absolutely true; however, we give all the glory and honor to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, without Whom life itself would be meaningless. He has blessed us beyond measure and we owe everything to Him.
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Smyth County Machine & Welding, Inc. started as a one-man operation in 1977 in a small garage behind the home of Jim Holman. When the business was initially opened our customer base consisted of just a few local industries, but word began to spread about our dedication to quality and customer satisfaction and it wasn’t long before more area businesses contacted us to place orders. The substantial increase in business meant that a larger workforce was needed and in 1984 we hired our first four employees – two of whom are still with us today!
Business continued to grow. Later that year it became apparent that additional space was necessary, so in the summer we moved into the former National Guard Armory building on Pendleton Street in Marion, Virginia. Our progress during the four years at that location included the purchase of our first CNC equipment, the implementation of a dedicated QC lab and the creation of several new manufacturing and clerical jobs.
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