News

The Wells County Chamber of Commerce staff and Ambassadors surprised Alexin, located at 1390 S. Adams St. in Bluffton, Sept. 7 as the September Member of the Month.

Alexin owners, Tom Horter and Todd Johnson, opened the company in Wells County in 2008.

Pictured in the photo are Alexin employees, Chamber of Commerce ambassadors, and Executive Director of the Wells County Chamber of Commerce Erin Prible. (Photo submitted)

“Several founders formed the company in 2006 at Todd’s kitchen table and in 2007, we raised the money to build a plant and began a three state selection process,” said Horter.

The plan became a reality in 2008 when Wells County was selected as the home of Alexin.

“The biggest reason we decided on Wells County is because of Suzanne Huffman, who was then currently managing the Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development. Suzanne was accurate, diligent in getting answers to us in a timely fashion, and working with our requests and needs. She helped to make this happen,” Horter said.

Horter explains that he and Johnson love Wells County, the environment and the people.

“We continue to support the local community and we are successful at what we do because of the people working here.”

Eighty individuals are employed at Alexin and, “I’ve never worked with a more creative and energetic group of people,” said Horter. “Every 6-8 months we do new, big things and set out to conquer the world.”

Horter and Johnson have degrees in metallurgical engineering and understand the precision, versatility, and demand in the aluminum extrusion industry. 

“Extruders take our product, heat it up, and squeeze through a steel die and turn into a linear shape, beam, pipe or window frame,” said Horter.

Alexin’s main niche is the large diameter billets to make aluminum products.

“We recently expanded out product offering to include rolling slab.  So, in addition to extruders, we can now supply flat roll products manufacturers who roll our slabs into coils of aluminum a half mile long, which are used to make the Ford F-Series Body.”

Horter explains that Alexin is delighted to be a part of the community.

“We cherish being a Chamber Member and they have been a great resource for us. This recognition is confirmation of the great things we are doing.”