Strong and Skilled: Victor Valley’s Manufacturing Sector is Ready to be Put to Work
Advanced manufacturing industry builds momentum in the Victor Valley.
The Victor Valley has a diverse advanced manufacturing sector that includes making everything from automotive and aerospace parts to innovative products for the food, furniture and transportation industries.
The advantages are many for manufacturers in the region, including low business and labor costs, ample space for development, business-friendly incentives, a central location and a skilled workforce. Schools and higher education institutions contribute to developing the workforce through specialized training initiatives and programs, such as the annual “Made in the High Desert” event that occurs every February to promote manufacturing, connecting about 3,000 local high school students with Victor Valley manufacturers that offer well-paying jobs.
Growing More Manufacturing
Another key advantage for the region is the speed that projects can be streamlined and approved for various permits, thanks to local governments’ proactive work, along with agencies such as the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District.
As a result, numerous global companies have been drawn to the Victor Valley, including Boeing, Dr. Pepper Snapple, General Electric, United Furniture Industries and Pratt & Whitney.
Along with Fortune 500 companies, the Victor Valley is attractive to small and midsized manufacturers, as well. Companies like DMI Victory Builders and Northwest Pipe Co. are examples of smaller firms that are thriving in the Victor Valley.
One of the region’s signature manufacturers is MFG West, a custom fiberglass fabricator in Adelanto whose designs are used in countless products, including the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.
Also in Adelanto is Scott Turbon Mixers, which makes stainless steel high shear mixers and complete turnkey mixing systems. Victorville is home to DeVoll Rubber Manufacturing Group, Inc., which manufactures precision rubber products, such as gaskets, washers, tubing and edge protectors, for a wide range of applications used across a variety of industries. The company was able to supply parts needed on critical medical equipment used in the response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
“Our seals are on gas meters throughout Southern California, while some bumpers we’ve made can be found in one of the most popular amusement parks in Orlando,” says Stacy DeVoll, vice president of operations at DeVoll Rubber Manufacturing Group, Inc. “More recently, we did some really cool work with a local rocket company, and now, during this pandemic, our washers have been used on ventilators and filters.”
A Woman in Manufacturing
Despite the turmoil in the economy at the height of the pandemic, DeVoll saw its business grow, even to the point of bringing on three new team members and adding some new equipment. DeVoll says she loves talking about the High Desert and how it’s been a great place for the family-owned company to succeed.
“We want our crew to buy homes and be a part of this community, and the affordability of this area allows that,” she says. “As for being a woman in manufacturing, all I can say is that I think it’s like all other careers – we are making progress, one girl at a time. I’m pleased to see how schools in this area have come back to the trades and hands-on experiences, and that can spark a girl’s or boy’s imagination.”
If you’d like to learn more about the Victor Valley area, check out the latest edition of Victor Valley Economic Development.
