ARC Manufacturing, a growing company here that manufactures welding units for the automotive collision-repair industry, has expanded into larger quarters and plans to hire more employees in the coming year.


The company has moved most of its operations to a 12,700-square-foot plant at 314 E. Jackson, on the North Side, says Mike Fuchs, owner and president.


Originally named Automotive Repair Corp., the 13-year-old company has, since 2000, been located in a 5,000-square-foot facility at 522 N. Fiske, having moved there from its original location in Airway Heights. ARC Manufacturing will continue to operate its sheet-metal fabrication shop at its old location on Fiske.


Fuchs says he expects the companys annual revenue to reach $2 million in 2008, up from an estimated $1.3 million this year and $800,000 last year. He says its annual revenue should double again by the end of 2010.


ARC Manufacturing employs 15 workers. Fuchs says the company plans to hire 10 or more workers in 2008.


The company makes spot welders that operate with batteries charged from single-phase, 110-volt household-type electrical outlets. Most competitors welding units require a three-phase, 220-volt source of electricity to operate and come with a bulkier transformer, Fuchs asserts.


The energy storage capacity of ARC Manufacturings spot welders allow them to operate on a conventional power connection, he says.


Fuchs says ARC Manufacturing currently makes five models of spot welders and ships about 50 units a month.


The prices of the companys welding units start at $1,300, but Fuchs says the companys most popular model used in auto-body shops is priced at $14,000.


The company has a three-month backlog of orders for the welders, which are approved by Chrysler LLC, General Motors Corp., and Ford Motor Co. for use in auto-body shops that repair their vehicles, Fuchs says.