K.I. SAWYER — One of the country’s largest producers of wear-resistant polyurethane products can be found right at K.I. Sawyer.

You may think of a paint varnish when you hear polyurethane, but Argonics manufactures hot cast polyurethane or a liquid form that can be poured into molds to make various products, explained Marketing Specialist Ashley Geist.

“Polyurethane is used in a number of different materials that you would find like golf ball covers, skateboard and roller skate wheels, scuba fins, bowling balls and more,” Geist said. “We make all different kinds of products for all different kinds of industries like aggregate, concrete, mining, agriculture and other industries.”

For years, Argonics had a presence in Marquette within several different buildings.

When the need to expand the company’s operations became apparent, Argonics relocated in 1993 to the former K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base in Gwinn.

According to the Argonics website, the move expanded the company’s operations from 40,000 square feet across five buildings to 72,000 square feet in one building.

“Moving out to Gwinn, while it is a ways from town, it really allowed our operation to grow,” Geist said.

Argonics continues to meet company goals each year and consistently strives for growth, she added.

“We are a global company. We have a business presence in 33 different countries around the world and so we’re always trying to find ways to expand our reach,” Geist said. “We attend trade shows all over the country to try and gain new business and reach people who maybe have a need for our products.”

The company has earned its reputation by providing high quality products to its customers for well over two decades, Geist said.

“Right behind that, I would say is definitely customer service and providing our customers with the best quality care that they can get so if they have a problem or they have a comment, a question, they need to order stuff, they can call us and we’ll help them through the whole process,” she said. “It’s one of our number one things that everyone would agree on is making sure our customers are happy.”

A good team of staff is also essential to the company’s success, she said.

“When you have a team of people that’s happy together and likes working together it makes you function as a company better,” Geist said.

For more information on Argonics, visit argonics.com.