Premier Technology Inc. will host an open house for the public at its new 36,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Blackfoot on Friday, October 23, at noon. This event will showcase a state-of-the-art milling machine, described by the company as the first of its kind in the region.
The open house, which is free to attend, will take place at Premier’s campus located at 1858 W. Bridge St. Attendees will include employees, customers, community members, local and state officials, as well as representatives from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). Light refreshments will be provided.
Central to the new facility is the Correa AXIA 100 five-axis CNC milling machine. This advanced equipment can handle components over 30 feet in length and features a turntable designed for large and complex parts. Manufactured in Spain, the machine was shipped to Idaho and requires a climate-controlled environment for precision operation, according to the company.
The addition of this machine allows Premier to perform in-house machining for large glovebox welded assemblies, which are critical for handling hazardous materials, including radioactive substances. Previously, such work was outsourced to subcontractors, leading to delays and increased risks associated with shipping oversized components.
Doug Sayer, Premier’s chief business officer and co-founder, noted that the new equipment not only enhances Premier’s operations but also supports the broader supply chain. “Not only will this equipment and facility support Premier’s scope of work, we will also be making the capacity available to support the entire supply chain,” he said.
The facility was built with support from the NNSA through its Glovebox Manufacturing Expansion Initiative, which aims to enhance domestic manufacturing capabilities for nuclear-related projects. This initiative was developed in response to a recognized need for additional nuclear-capable glovebox manufacturing after assessments in late 2022.
Premier reported that its investment, alongside federal funding, aims to bolster its capabilities for specialized fabrication, machining, and assembly, furthering its ability to meet stringent nuclear requirements. The company expressed confidence that the expanded capacity would exceed NNSA’s goal of doubling domestic glovebox manufacturing capacity.
Looking ahead, Sayer emphasized the importance of this project in strengthening domestic manufacturing and supporting national programs. He stated, “The investment expands Premier’s capabilities, but the larger benefit is the additional manufacturing capacity it creates here in the United States.” The company also anticipates that the expansion will create 40 to 50 skilled jobs in East Idaho.
Founded in 1996, Premier Technology has grown to employ more than 300 individuals, and Sayer highlighted the crucial role played by the NNSA in recognizing the importance of enhancing domestic manufacturing capacity.
