By Rob Despain
I’ve spent the past 60 years of my life in Weber County and over the past 38 years I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside the Petersen family in growing and building what is now Petersen Inc. This year marks 60 years since Denis Petersen struck the first welding arc in his little 400-square-foot garage. Not long after, his son Steve joined his father in pursuit of building a custom fabrication company. Today you will find Petersen Inc. operating in 2 million square feet of advanced manufacturing (which consists of custom fabrication and precision machining) and 3PL warehousing/distribution services. We also operate a 73,000-square-foot facility in Pocatello, Idaho, and between the two locations, employ 590 highly skilled team members.
Long ago in my business career I adopted the attitude that I would celebrate what is right in Ogden — and for the record, I am still celebrating. There is so much good in the greater Ogden area. Simply put, you don’t have to look that hard to see the amazing transformation and positive development that is going on. Truth is, I was taught at any early age that it is important that Weber State University be successful and for businesses to work together through the chamber of commerce. When this happens, businesses have an opportunity to grow and succeed.
As Utah celebrates 125 years, the future of Northern Utah’s business projections is very positive. Northern Utah’s counties provide the backbone environment for businesses to succeed with a world-class, high-tech manufacturing environment, with low commute times for employees and a wide variety of towns and cities to match desired living styles. Literally every business need is within close reach.
Weber County is enjoying a sustainable five-year, 15 percent employment growth rate and a 5 percent population growth rate. With a firm economic footing, the county has set ambitious goals to build on its economic base by attracting synergistic industry players and creating higher-paying jobs. It is estimated that nearly 12,000 jobs will be created in Weber County during the next five years. What this shows is that people — and companies — are trusting the economic development process and have confidence in the local strategic plans of the Northern Utah cities and counties.
It’s the adage “If you build it, they will come.” Roll the clock back to the early 1980s when downtown Ogden was struggling with a failing retail district. Today it is considered the Top of Utah’s economic powerhouse, flourishing with a total transformation and implementation of a successful economic business model.
Hill Air Force Base continues to be a major economic driver to Weber and Davis counties and attracts global defense-related industry contractors. Statistics show that over the next three to five years, HAFB could grow by 25 percent inside the fence. This means additional infrastructure and creation of additional employment opportunities.
Ogden City and Weber County are being looked at nationally for the successful way that they manage and continue to administer the CARES Act funding that was made available. Ogden and Weber County’s numbers grew during the pandemic. That is largely attributed to the resilience of the residents coupled with great political leadership in Ogden City and the Weber County commissioners. They were focused on improving the quality of life and business climate for all. Unfortunately, all things were not created equal with COVID-19. There were businesses that suffered greatly and most of us can now say we know someone who died from COVID-19. As a business community, the numbers are proving that we have weathered the storm.
A statistic that I pay attention to is the measure of full employment. It is considered that a rate of 3.7 percent is equal to full employment. Our current unemployment is at 2.9 percent. This is a double-edge sword. The good news is people have jobs and are working. The bad news is, for those of us who are trying to hire team members, it is a difficult time to hire.
At Petersen Inc., we recognize the amazing things that are happening at Weber State University under the leadership of Pres. Brad Mortensen. We also recognize and are a benefactor of both the Ogden Weber Technical College and the Davis Applied Technology College. We appreciate the leadership of Jim Taggart at the OWTC and Nick Price at DATC for their genuine concern in helping us build our workforce.
Good times are ahead — whether you are a Democrat or a Republican, it doesn’t matter — when the president of the United States’ infrastructure bill passes, and it looks like it will be north of $2 trillion. That will have a positive effect on the entire U.S. economy. I am, however, concerned with how we will ever pay off the national debt but when the phone rings for Petersen Inc. to design, build and fabricate products to support that plan, I’ll take the call. Throughout our country’s history, it has proven that when manufacturing is strong, America is strong.
Manufacturing is alive and well throughout Northern Utah. Lifetime Products is rapidly growing and making an amazing economic contribution. Northrop Grumman has very ambitious plans for a highly skilled, highly paid workforce in Northern Utah. The major outdoor recreation companies that have populated Ogden have also had a significant impact on our economic growth. Petersen Inc. has grown from one man in his garage to 590 full-time employees — and we are still looking for more. Bottom line: The list goes on and on for companies that have chosen Ogden, Utah, for a simple reason: We are the junction city to the West, meaning you can reach anywhere in the western U.S. in a day by truck — a proven strategy that continues to attract new businesses to Northern Utah.
In closing, take a ride to Northern Utah and see for yourself what’s happening and look for ways we all can do business together, because none of us are as good as all of us.
See you up north.
Rob Despain is the vice president of business development for Petersen Inc. in Ogden. A graduate of Weber State University, he is the past president of the Utah Steel Fabricators Association and past president of the Utah Manufacturers Association.
