BUSINESS AFTER HOURS @ THE UP NORTH CENTER

Super Tool Then and Now
"In 1927 Conrad Birgbauer founded Super Tool, a company that directly accelerated the nation’s electronics industry and helped pave the way for America to become an industrial giant. Birgbauer recognized the industry’s need for quality tooling that could perform well under the toughest manufacturing conditions.  Consequently, he used a new metal compound called “carbide” to produce metal power tools that would retain their cutting edge at tremendously high temperatures and perform well against extremely hard cutting surfaces." (Quoted from Super Tool’s website.)
In the mid 1950’s Gordon Birgbauer, then President of Super Tool, began negotiating with the Village of Elk Rapids at the invitation of Harry L. Conrad Sr. and the Elk Rapids Industrial Development Committee to build a modern plant in Elk Rapids.  Mr. Conrad, who was a member of the Industrial Development Committee, a civil engineer, President of The Christman Company, and summer resident of the Elk Rapids area, designed, arranged financing, and contracted for the construction of the Super Tool building in 1957. The plant was opened in the late 50’s and soon became the largest employer in the area.
 
Super Tool went through several mergers and acquisitions over the three decades it had its manufacturing facility and offices in Elk Rapids. During this period, the tool industry changed with new innovations and manufacturing techniques.  In 1991, the firm was sold to Dennis Lemkau, and moved to its present location in Bradenton, Florida.  Super Tool was always a leader in carbide cutting tools and has recently expanded its’ line to include other top quality products.
 
Recently the former Super Tool building has been undergoing a transformation, under new owners, Tom and Susan Wiltse.  Known now as “The Up North Center”, it is home to several businesses, both in the factory area and the office area of the building.  The building itself is well over an acre in size. On the north end of the building, where Super Tool had its headquarters, offices have been completely renovated, with the industrial theme intact. Offices include Up North Properties, All Seasons Tax and Accounting Services, Standhardt Design, and the Up North Shared Office Space (aka SOS). The former factory floor houses Traverse Bay Manufacturing, Verified Path Machining, Michigan Maps, Inc., and several tenants using portions of the large space for storage.
 
The Elk Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours will be hosted by the Up North Center on Thursday, September 20, 2018. It is our hope that any and all of the former employees of Super Tool will try to stop in to see the restoration, mingle with old friends, and tell some stories.