HMI Hydroseed being applied after a forest fire
Maybe you’re considering a move to Twin Falls, Idaho, because of its established transportation infrastructure and access to national and international markets. Or perhaps you’re drawn to a welcoming community surrounded by kayaking, backpacking, hiking and unlimited outdoor adventure. If you’re bringing a business with you, the abundant renewable energy sources here are a coveted benefit, too.
For Hamilton Manufacturing Inc., the choice to keep their business in Twin Falls includes all of the above.
“Twin Falls has the infrastructure put in place to support industry,” said Matt Smith, vice president of HMI. “It’s growing quickly, but it still feels like a small community, so you get the best of both worlds. Plus, the production and energy costs are lower, especially compared to the rest of the nation. The production costs alone allow us to be competitive all the way to Japan, Southern Chile and Europe.”
HMI erosian control products help stabilize soil
Taking Reduce, Reuse, Recycle to a New Level
HMI has called the Magic Valley home since 1962 when Matt’s grandfather began manufacturing cellulose for insulation, erosion control and soil remediation. Compared to fiberglass or furnace-produced mineral insulation, cellulose is composed of 75 – 85% recycled paper fiber from newspaper. To ensure continuous access to the newspaper needed to produce their products, HMI’s founding family was among the first to bring recycling plants to Idaho.
“My aunts, uncles, and mother spanned out over Southern Idaho and started recycling facilities in Boise, Twin Falls, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, and one in Hailey,” said Matt. “All of the raw material came back to my grandfather and he would use it here for the cellulose.”
Using a recyclable, environmentally friendly product for insulation has its perks. Not only are paper-based products typically more cost-effective compared to wood products, but the quality of the insulation manufactured by HMI is one of the highest in the country.
“Cellulose insulation is an excellent solution for sound control,” Matt said. “It is an insecticide, a fungicide and – because it’s an organic material mixed with boric acid – it’s a fire suppressant with a one-hour firewall rating. Overall, it’s a better value compared to other insulation and if you’re interested in the environmental aspects of it, it’s one of the most recyclable assets on the market.”
HMI hydroseeding being applied to a residential landscape
Local Roots, Global Reach
The cellulose manufacturing industry processes more than 875,000 tons of paper per year, with applications going far beyond insulation. Erosion control, soil remediation and soil stabilization fall into HMI’s portfolio as well.
“We take 100% recycled materials and turn it into hydromulch and compost, fiber packs, landfill litter control, industrial fibers, dust mitigation for job sites, roadside stabilization – the list goes on,” said Matt. “Those products go all over the world.”
As one of the few paper processors in the country, HMI boasts a global reach with more than a quarter of the company’s sales taking place internationally across 30 countries. In fact, their sustained commitment to export expansion earned them the President’s “E” Award for Exports in 2016.
“We continue to expand, but we’re still family-owned-and-operated,” said Matt. “We’ve employed people here since the early 60s and it’s not just our direct employees, but also local companies who benefit from our freight partnerships.”
That means you can go ahead and add loyal, hard-working talent to the list of reasons why HMI continues to call Twin Falls home.
For more information on HMI, their products and projects, visit https://www.hmi-mfg.com/.